Headlight cleaning

[edythuk]

My car passed its recent CT but the guy said I had to get my headlights cleaned. I never noticed till he pointed it out as I never drive at night. Has anyone tried the headlight restore kits which are advertised? I've tried all the tips recommended on line, toothpaste, bicarb, white vinegar etc. to no avail.

[Doug]

I had the same problem on my van last year as these days its rarely used, I used white spirit then a window cleaner.

[Blaze]

We had the same problem with our 16 year old Passat. The headlight plastic was going opaque with age. We tried everything to clean them but nothing cleared the opaqueness. The guy in the CT place recommended using one of the kits. It was brilliant, the headlights came up like new.
We bought one by ProTech Monte Carlo "Kit Rénovation des Optiques"
It's not cheap, around 30€ but worth every penny. You should be able to get it any any good car accessories shop.

kit-de-renovation-d-optiques-de-phares-protech--890744.jpg

[niemeyjt]

I used the 3M kit on the plastic lights of a Toyota Yaris - superb. It is daunting at first to deliberately scratch the lenses - but they do come much cleaner in the end.

Others recommend using toothpaste as a cheap alternative to abrasives.

[Blaze]

Others recommend using toothpaste as a cheap alternative to abrasives.

Useless on our Passat !! But perhaps efficace on plastic that's not so old.

[curtis]

I used light valve grinding paste and then T cut.

[Hotrodder]

I bought a cheap kit on ebay. I started with 1000 grit wet and dry abrasive paper by hand, used wet with a tiny squirt of dishwashing liquid to stop the paper clogging. Then hit it with T-cut headlamp restorer (from the kit). I cheated and used a power polisher with a soft sponge foam buffing wheel. It took less than 20 minutes for both lights. It was a 20-year old Peugeot and they went from very cloudy brown to perfectly clear. It ain't rocket science folks. Just the same materials and process you might use on a car paint finish. I won't bother with a kit next time, I'll just use any final-stage car polishing compound that I can find.
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[niemeyjt]

I have found a before and after on the Toyota with the 3M kit - which comes with a drill attachment

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... TF8&psc=1
Sadly, the kit is useless for preventing the rear subframe from rusting through!

before-min.jpg

after-min.jpg

[Liz]

With classic cars you just wash the lights

[niemeyjt]

With classic cars you just wash the lights

Not sure about the Moggies - but my old series 2 did not even have 60/55s in when new.