I got a completly new headlight housing on the drivers side when after i was in my accident. Well my passenger side headlight is really dull and scratched up from debri I guess....

My question is, what product would i be ablue to use to maybe get them clearer. A polish or something of the sort. If you guys could see it is looks crazy, one side is nice and clear and the other is all dingy and what not. Any advice would be good!

 

I haven't actually tried this, but you might be able to clear it up by buffing it with some really fine steel wool. Like the finest stuff you could get, or it would just scuff it up worse. You might want to test it on a corner first, just in case.

 

and this steel wool, would i be able to purchase this at home depot? Honestly i don't see how that would clear it up, instead i can see it scratching the lens up so bad that light will barely go though.

 

Yes, Home Depot should have it. I think the finest is size available is 0000. As to whether it would clear it up, it depends on how deep your scratches are. It won't remove anything that goes very deep. If you keep it really soapy and wet while you buff, it will minimize any tiny scratches left by the wool, but there will still be some really tiny abrasions. You could clear these up with some plastic polish - the '99 headlights are plastic aren't they?
Actually, come to think off it you could just forget about the steel wool and go straight for the plastic polish. It comes in 3 flavors: one to remove heavy scratches, one for light scratches, and one to make stuff really shiny. You can buy the stuff here:
http://www.antiquesupply.com/index.shtml
Good luck!

 

DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL! That WILL SCRATCH it up!!!! Really BAD!
Thank you for retracting that statement! I am trying to do the same thing. I haven't tried it yet but a mild rubbing compound might work OK and then polish after that. I will try it and let you know. I bought some of that Scotchcal stuff to protect the lights. I want to make sure everything is clean before I put it on.

 

I replace only my passenger's side headlight a while ago and now the driver's side looks so dirty. I've tried waxing and polishing and it gets shiny but never take out the chips. I think the only solution is to buy another new headlight.
-Cyrus

 

dont listen to the steel wool guy!!!! - that will totally screw up your housing.....!!! if u really want to clear it out try taking off the lens and then dipping it in bleach

 

Do you know if bleach works on plastic? I think it will eat the plastic up and discolor it.

 

If this is for the 97-99 plastic headlights then give the product Plexus a try. It works on most of the plastic surfaces.

Here is a description of the product Plexus. Taken from one of their ad.

The most amazing plastic product we have ever used. Plexus cleans protects and polishes clear and painted plastic surfaces. Simply spray and wipe! Contains no CFCs. Plexus seals the pores of plastic in a protective micro-thin layer of wax which maintains your plastic for years to come. Provides a cleaner more lustrous finish without leaving any smears or smudges. Plexus makes clear plastic rear windows virtually transparent, and leaves plastic paints gleaming like new. Use on bumpers, vinyl rear windows on convertibles, on piaa auxiliary lamps as well as your current headlamps.

 

Sounds good! Where do you get it? Maybe I'll try that instead.

 

Do a search under www.yahoo.com for Plexus plastic cleaner and there will be tons of links to internet stores that sells it. This will work on the speedometer plastic too. Good luck!

 

Thanks ... I thought it might be something I would pick up at Walmart to try right away ... I'll have to order it on line ... guess I have to wait .

Thanks for the tip! Have you tried this stuff yourself?

 

i have also heard to use tooth paste and alot of elbo grease.

 

Actually I bought the product at a local auto store. Call your local autozone, pep boys, or walmart and ask them. They might carry it. Yes I tried it and it works nice in taking out the fine scratches on plastic.

 

Thanks!

 

I have a 96 SE, what can I do to clear up the lights? (you said 97-99) for ur post

 

There are a number of "plastic polishes" available:

http://www.noscratch.com/novus
http://www.epinions.com/auto-Care-Al...Plastic_Polish
http://www.meguiars.com/product_show...cfm?SrcLine=BI
http://www.123frame.com/ppolish.html
http://www.autogeek.net/eagoneplaspo.html

THE #1 Rule on caring for plastics: NO ABRASIVES!

This means: NO STEEL WOOL, NO TOOTHPASTE, NOT EVEN PAPER TOWELS! (yes, they do SCRATCH plastic)!

Clean, soft, cotton towels/cloths and plastic polishes or wax are all you should use on any plastic surface if you want it to last.


Nissan was lame, not springing the extra few bucks per car to use Lexan instead of plastic/acrylic headlight lenses, imho.