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Random Quote: If wishes were fishes, we'd all cast nets.
I have a '97 Suburban and the headlights are starting to look cloudy. Is there any way to clean them and make them look new again? With all of the products that we use on our boats you would think that one of them might work.
I was told to use acetone and a rag from a used car dealer. I have know idea how long it will last but the used car people do not care as long as it looks good until the sale.
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I was told to use acetone and a rag from a used car dealer.
Wonder why it has to be a rag from a used car dealership? .........
My neighbors car's headlights are so clouded that you'd think they were supposed to be white, I should as them if I can try the acetone treatment. But I think it all boils down to: if water on the lens doesn't make it go clear then buffing or any other type of treatment probably won't work.
I wouldn't use acetone. It will cloud clear platic. I tried to wipe silicone off my compass once with acetone on a rag. I couldn't read the compass after that.
Do a google search for headlight buffing kit. You can actually wet sand them and apply a protectant. Body shops do it so the old headlight will match a replaced one.
Any type of polishing compound will work and Flitz is very good too - if not the best for this type of problem.
__________________ - Chris
Guess What?? I got a Fever.. And the only prescription is.. MORE COWBELL!
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Yea, there are some body shops around here that will do it but they charge something like $80. I was hoping that there was a way to do it yourself without spending a fortune.
We buff cloudy headlamps almost every day. Some you can work with others need to be replaced. Sand first with 1500 grit, hit it quick with 3000 grit Buflex, buff with regular cut compound. Then wait for them to cloud up again within 3 months. Your 97' GM composite headlamps I am very familiar with...good luck with them. They turn yellow badly and trying to buff around the aiming studs is a pain. Your best bet is to buy new ones ($120.23 for the left,$118.45 for the right). (aftermarket fit badly and will cloud up within the first year)
If they're plastic, trashem. Maybe Ludicrous is correct about the imports for the Chevys, but a bud replaced his on a Cherokee 2 years ago and they still look great. Got them on ebay for like $35 a side.
have a 1996 ford whose headlight had a yellow, dirty look. tried a suggestion that i found on the internet doing a search on headlight cleaners. used blue magic metal cleaner on the lens. it did a great job of removing the film. followed by using blue magic plastic cleaner, as recommended from the internet site. not sure it helped.
bought both blue magic products from pep boys for about $12. if your problem is yellow headlight lens, i recommend this approach.
I Worked at GUIDE Division of GM that built your headlights. Do not sand them! The lens is made of polycarbonate and sprayed with a hard coat to protect it. The yellowing is road dirt and chemicals from the air. Use a strong cleaner and hand buff to restore, if you rub off the hard coat the plastic will scratch and yellow very quickly.
Yes they have a coating on them, we've tried all forms of cleaners...doesn't work. Some OEM mnfg's have better lamps than others. Still to get clear lamps again you either have to sand and buff (sand all the coating off, cause most of it is already coming off) or replace the lamps. Your average lamp is $250.00....they can go up to 2k each! Here's what we do with them. Not perfection but if that's what your after buy new OEM.
before
1500 wet sand
3000 Buflex
Buff with reg cut compound
Almost like new...for three to six months...repeat until you buy new lamps or car.
As whanks suggested I tried the blue magic metal polish(paste) and had no results. I tried it on a corner of one of the lamps following the directions and there was no change. I beginning to think that the only way to bring them back is to do as Ludicrous suggest. I don't have the tools or patience for that. Thanks for all of the suggestions.
I just finished(lasy night) buffing the headlights and foglights on the admiral's car with Flitz and they look like new! The difference is amazing...I don't know how long it will last, but for now they look and operate as new. This is a Mercedes E320 and the plastic is pretty thick. Took about 5 minutes total for all 4 lights. RogueAngler, I will be in Orange Beach this weekend (Friday-Monday) and I can bring the kit with me if you want to give it a try. I cant wait to try it out on the brightwork on the boat!
As whanks suggested I tried the blue magic metal polish(paste) and had no results. I tried it on a corner of one of the lamps following the directions and there was no change. I beginning to think that the only way to bring them back is to do as Ludicrous suggest. I don't have the tools or patience for that. Thanks for all of the suggestions.
Those lamps are right at the top of my list for difficult/impossible to buff. Problem with your lamps is the yellowing goes straight through the plastic, not just on the top surface.
Im a Plastics teacher, The way I clean my headlights on my 1999 RX 300 is with Novis brand polish. It comes in 3 strengths. #3 heavy scratches, #2 light scratches and #1 is the polish. Use all 3. Available at the container store or from a plastic distributor
__________________ 2660 Sailfish
Mar-Sea
Tavernier in the Keys
Cloudy Headlights 
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