Has anyone ran into this issue? How have you resolved it? I have tried using a plastic polish, but it seems after the winter up here in WI they get all crappy looking and "foggy".

PLEASE HELP

Thanks in advance.

 

search is your friend. wetsanding is the best way to fix this. i used turtle wax's headlight restoration kit from autozone. worked pretty well

it is a 4.5 with plastic lenses im assuming, right?

 

My car is a 98 SE with plastic lens, I am not sure about the 4.5. How often have you had to do this...once...twice...or more?

 

4.5 generation means 97-99 maximas.

 

ty maxfever

you may need to repeat the process to keep up with the lights, but not as often as you need to keep using polish. i noticed polish only lasted about a couple weeks for me. the restore kit works better and effects last longer.

 

Or it means any 4th gen with a VQ35, depending on who you talk to. In this context, the important thing to note is that the 97-99 have freeform reflectors with a clear polycarbonate lens, which hazes over due to UV exposure. The 95-96 have parabolic reflectors with a fluted glass lens, which does not haze. I never understood why people don't put the old glass headlights on the newer ones. Instead, it's more common to put the newer, inferior headlights on the 95-96. IDK why, though.

I use Meguiar's PlastX on mine. Regular application should remove some hazing, and prevent further hazing. However, it doesn't really clean up the pitting. A lot of people wetsand. Use at least 3000 grit if you're going down that path, and make sure to apply PlastX or another plastic protectant after wetsanding. I've never tried a "kit", but I've heard lots of favorable reviews. Wetsanding is a mixed bag, because once you start wetsanding, the UV protectant is gone, so you need to keep applying plastic polish, and periodically wetsanding again - it's not a "set it and forget it" kind of a thing.

 

I have the Meguiar's PlastX, but I am really worried about the wetsanding thing. Is there a UV protectant replacement for the lens after wetsanding? Would a normal clearcoat work or will that eat the plastic lens? I know I am being picky and stuff, but it's my ride and I like it looking nice. I will continue to do some research on the UV protect thing, but I am not sure if there is anything is out on the market.

If anyone finds anything or knows of a plastic UV protectant, please add it to the thread for anyone who is researching this.

Thanks for all the help so far.

 

the classification of generations is determined by body style and year released. nothing else.

 

No. a 4th gen is any 95-99 with a VQ30. A 4.5 gen is any 95-99 with a VQ35. All the VQ35 swapped 4th gens call their cars "4.5 gens", whether it's a 95-96 or a 97-99.

 

Guys,guys please i don't need to know about the gen thing...is there anything you know about how to clean plastic lens. Again I have a 98 SE MT (with a VQ30DE) with plastic headlight lens.

Please keep it about the subject........thanks.

 

1. Go to detailing section
2. Skim through stickies
3. profit.

 

i used Brasso to clean mine and it came out really clean and clear

 

3M has a kit which Autozone sells. It's the BEST method I've seen and it works. I have the Meguires Plastix also and it doesn't compare to the #m kit. My headlights look close to new again thanks to the 3M solution.

 

Brasso works well.

 

here are links to 2 threads about cleaning headlights:

http://forums.maxima.org/detailing/5...ning-pics.html

http://forums.maxima.org/detailing/3...es-2-08mb.html