How To Clean Celica Headlights

[gordypix]

The headlights of my 2001 Gen7 Celica are very fogged up with grime and or dirt. The sort of stuff that does not wash off as normal. As such it risks an MOT failure because the headlights do not shine the required safe pattern, instead emitting a "BLOB" of light.

Does anyone have any ideas how to clean the headlights lens?

Cheers,

Gordy.

[Jamesbelfast]

If the marks are on the outside of the lense you may be able to polish them out.

Go to Youtube and search for polishing headlight lenses - there are loads of video clips on the topic.

[edwardio]

If it's on the outside, you can T-Cut them & they'll be fine. Common issue on these with them turning yellow

[Old Red Celica]

Yep, buff them up with a compound. There are special compiunds jsut for this job OR buy new headlights.

[gordypix]

Yep, buff them up with a compound. There are special compiunds jsut for this job OR buy new headlights.

Thanks Y'all...

New Headlights... for a Celica. You have gotta be kidding. Do you know the cost of them? Certainly not Credit Card friendly.

Have tried a cleaning solution already with not much luck so lets hope a bit more elbow grease works.

[Old Red Celica]

It needs the surface cutting back, it's not dirt, it's oxidised plastic.

[gordypix]

It needs the surface cutting back, it's not dirt, it's oxidised plastic.

So do you think T-Cut would work sufficiently? I Never fully trust that stuff especially on plastic.

[edwardio]

I've done it before and it's fine

[Jamesbelfast]

Ensure you mask the surrounding area first.

Strart by rubbing down withy very fine wet and dry (2500 or finer) - go gently using copuious amounts of water - do not applying pressure or marks will show. Then move on to coubik cutting compound - then T-Cut - then a clay bar - then finally tooth paste or Final Glaze.

I have seen this method used many times with success. Yes it's a long laborious job but cheaper tha new headlights.

[gordypix]

I'LL LET Y'ALL KNOW THE RESULT....

[Muddy7]

If the plastic outer lens has got really dull and oxidised used P1200 paper and plenty of water with a dollop of Fairy liquid in it. No need to rub hard. It will look very matt when you wipe the lens down.

Then set to work with T-cut. It does take patience and time but you will get back to an original clear finish.

Final polish with Brasso.

Wash with soapy water and then just give it a coat of ordinary car wax.

If you have any doubts just try a small area about the size of a 50p first.

Have now done three cars (and a scratched top cover on a record deck!) this way with 100% results.

[Old Red Celica]

So, how did you get on?

[Old Red Celica]

[BALIKBAYAN]

Great video you found at you tube, Old Red.

[CoupÉter]

i did this recent with the headlights of my girlfriends yaris

Everyone know how a faded headlight looks like.

Staps:

1. clean the headlight.

2. Tape around the headlight for bodywork protection

2. wetsand the headlight with P2000

3. wetsand P2500

4. wetsand P3000

5. Polish the headlight

6. Give it a wax for protection.

Pics:

After wetsanding

after Polish:

Actually today antother 2 pair of headlights to restore

[jirehn]

Those lens are sensitive?

[Old Red Celica]

Those lens are sensitive?

Yeah, you need to used Factor 50 Wax ;)

[AlanaBlair]

I think You should use Tooth Paste to clean your headlights. As it helped me to clean my car headlights.

[Mr Mayoh]

Toothpaste gods honest truth it works wonders couldn't believe it when I I'd mine last week

[edwardio]

Convertable rear window cleaner is also very good.