Topic: Heres a tip for yellowed headlights

[slybry]

My 2000 Accord had 1 headlight lens that had yellowed. It was driving me nuts.

All the repair methods involved abrasive creams and/or sandpaper. I thought before I spend more money why not just try some rubbing compound and scratch remover that I had on hand.

I use some 15-20 year old Turtle Wax rubbing compound on the light and the follow-up with Nu-Finish Scratch Doctor.

Just buffed it with a cloth and the results were great. I knew I was taking the easy way out on the fix but was I ever surprised and please with the results. I would say 95% of the yellowing is gone.

The difference between the 2 headlights was very evident and now they look the same. Sorry I have no before pictures so after pictures are pretty meaningless.

So before you go out and buy another product just try what you have on hand. Thought I would pass along my experience.

[Squishy]

Even some car wax will fix light yellowing.  I apply a car wax or acrylic polish to my headlights every year to prevent yellowing altogether.

[KGCCS]

Frank Rizzuti just did a review for a new 3M headlight restoration kit.. definately worth checking out & purchasing!!

Link:  http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/06/18/product-review-3m-headlight-lens-restoration-system.htm

[slybry]

Frank Rizzuti just did a review for a new 3M headlight restoration kit.. definately worth checking out & purchasing!!

Link:  http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/06/18/product-review-3m-headlight-lens-restoration-system.htm

The whole point of my post was to imform everyone that there may be a simpler way to fix the headlight and avoid this complicated process. Just try scratch remover or rubbing compond first. You maybe happy with results.

[Ontariodriver]

You maybe happy with results.

Thanks for the tip. I'll remember that in future. 

[mrthompson]

I'm not sure what inspired my father to try this, but he took a rag and rubbed automatic transmission fluid on the clouded lenses of his '99 Taurus.  He wiped the fluid off and the lenses looked much better.  Yesterday I did the same trick to my '99 Caravan, and I would estimate that 3/4 of the cloudiness is gone.      

[safristi]

..here's a tip for yellowed headlights.......sell them IN FRANCE...... Olde Frenchi j/k.....

[No H2O]

So before you go out and buy another product just try what you have on hand.

I used Meguiar's Swirl Remover 2.0 - Professional (M0916), one of, if not their finest polish and it got my headlights back to mint condition. It even removed scratches, but it did take time using an orbital polisher. I've been using this product for about 15 years on the paint...leaves an incredible shine.

Use the finest polish/abrasive possible and invest more time into the job than the other way around.

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.asp?T1=MEG+SWIRL+16

[slybry]

Just used my 20 year old Turtle wax rubbing compound on my friend's Elantra the other day. His lights were really bad and in under 5 minutes I had them back to pretty darn nice.

So it was not a fluke ... it really works.

[johngenx]

Well, all of us with 20 year old Turtle Wax rubbing compound appreciate the tip.

[dr_spock]

Would 10 years-old Turtle Wax compound work too?   I have a container of it sitting on my garage shelf and my Honda headlight lens is hazy.

[Turbo Bob]

No, the 1989 vintage was just right.

[safristi]

  Turtles live into their Hundreds............but how d'ya get the wax out their ears.................

[Juke1]

  Turtles live into their Hundreds............but how d'ya get the wax out their ears.................

bah...it's a snap......