Scummy...

[severm]

headlight lenses. My wife's 05 Altima headlight lenses look as if they are 10 yrs. old. They are yellowed and rough as if the finish is deteriorating. I wash regularly and treat all lenses with Plexus. The rear lenses are perfect. I tried some Windex and straight household cleaner and took some of the crap off but they still look cruddy with rough spots. Any ideas what causes this and how to fix? I have heard toothepaste works on older lenses but these are only 3 yrs. old and I DO NOT want the same thing happening to the Fronty. Any and all help is appreciated. Mike

[cctmobiledetail]

Originally Posted by severm

headlight lenses. My wife's 05 Altima headlight lenses look as if they are 10 yrs. old. They are yellowed and rough as if the finish is deteriorating. I wash regularly and treat all lenses with Plexus. The rear lenses are perfect. I tried some Windex and straight household cleaner and took some of the crap off but they still look cruddy with rough spots. Any ideas what causes this and how to fix? I have heard toothepaste works on older lenses but these are only 3 yrs. old and I DO NOT want the same thing happening to the Fronty. Any and all help is appreciated. Mike

There are several postings from the past on this subject. So do a search and you'll find your answer.

[CRDLIBERTY]

meguirers makes plastic polish that helps either the professional grey polish in blue bottle or walmarts plastic polish which is blue paste. They both seem to work i clean the vehicle once done then polish up the headlights. Ive noticed that i end up pulling off a brown clay oxidized.

[Inyourface1650]

Our 02 Altima headlights look great, but I think they changed shape for 05 so they may have changed plastics/suppliers then as well.

[Zero Six LE]

Originally Posted by Inyourface1650

Our 02 Altima headlights look great, but I think they changed shape for 05 so they may have changed plastics/suppliers then as well.

My 02 Max still has clear plastic headlight lenses. They have a little fogginess inside the lenses though. I have X-pel on my truck headlights.

[nicetier]

I bought a 3 stage kit that worked awesome.Got from a car show but can't remember the name.I believe you can still buy it at the dealership.The first stage removes all the oxidation.the second removes the build up and comes with fine sandpaper.the third is the most important and that is the protective clear coat that leaves your lights looking new.It lasted about three years btw.

[cctmobiledetail]

if the lenses are really yellow and oxidized, then here's a sure fire way to restore the lenses.

Materials needed: WD 40 / machine oil
Sand Paper ( 400, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 grits )
Sanding Block
Clear plastic paint
Masking Tape / paper

1. Start by masking off the hood, grill , bumper, etc. with masking paper or newspaper and try to only expose the headlight lenses.

2. Spray WD 40 or use pour on machine oil and coat the lenses one at a time. Basically you are going to wetsand your lenses, but not with water, with oil instead. You'll need to keep applying the oil frequently to keep the lense wet.

3. Sanding to remove old yellow dead plastic ; Wrap 400 grit paper on sanding block , recoat the lense with oil, and sand ONLY in a horizontal motion, when paper is done , use more paper as needed, and keep reoiling the plastic lense. Sand the plastic lense until all the major yellow bad , dead plastic is off.

4. Sanding to remove coarse scratches of the plastic lense; After all the dead plastic is removed by using the above process, then you'll need to refine the plastic down to a paintable state. Sand next with 800, remembering to oil between each sanding run. Move on to 1000, then 1500, then 2000. Once 2000 has be run wipe the lense of to see your progress, if scratches are still present, then go with 2500 grit and up to 3,000 max.

5. Resealing the lense; use either a spray or brush on clear plastic sealer. If using brush on , make sure you use a foam brush and don't overlap strokes. paint in horizontal strokes ONLY. If spraying make sure entire hood, etc. is masked off. Apply one coat and let dry ( read the clear can how long ) reapply a second coat , let dry ....and your done.

Both lenses complete job should take 2 hours or less, less drying time.

[severm]

cctmobiledetail, THANKS. I will try this and see if it works. Mike

[SLOfronty]

they sell a kit at auto part stores for like $12 works awesome, it has the polish, and sandpaper, you do a few wet sands, increasing the grit, then polish, not good as new, but looks a lot better.