Headlight Cleaning

[JZA80]

Just bought a black 2003 Rav4, the inside of the headlight are slightly yellowed is it possible remove the lenses to clean them?

[rob2486]

I have the same issue, you would have to ensure you are able to put the lens back on air tight, unless you want headlights full of water when it rains.

I've never risked it but would be intrigued to know if it works out.

[Tech01]

I'm fairly sure that the headlight front lenses are not separable from the reflectors, but it's all one factory-sealed unit.

The yellowing of the lenses (which are clear polycarbonate) can be largely removed with a "headlight restorer". I've just used a Turtle Wax one, which was pretty good. There may be better ones around.

The yellowing is usually on the outside surface, and is chemical deterioration of the surface of the plastic, aggravated by exposure to UV sunlight. Restorers polish this damaged layer off.

First, though, just try cleaning the outside of the poly lenses with something like Mer or T-Cut, or any good, mild, and slightly abrasive bodywork polish.

[LeeADAB]

Yes - the yellowing is usually on the surface of the headlights. I have used "Meguiars Plastrx" polish on mine which removes a lot of the yellowing. This is just by hand with a micro fibre cloth. Old fashioned elbow grease. You can use sandpaper and polishing mop etc if you are brave/mad.

Does anyone know/used a good anti-UV sealer to try to protect them? They don't last long until they need polishing again to be honest. The only other option seems to be new headlights but that is an expensive option.

[AlanaBlair]

Hi

You can use Tooth Paste to clean the headlights

[firemac]

Hi

You can use Tooth Paste to clean the headlights

Yep, I've done that before. Tou rub the toothpaste on with a dry cloth/papertowel and then work it like T-Cut. Finally finish off with a damp clth and polish.

Finally, off to the hygienist for a scrape & polish ;)

I've also used Maguiers and it's pretty good as well.

[Hoovie]

Yes - the yellowing is usually on the surface of the headlights. I have used "Meguiars Plastrx" polish on mine which removes a lot of the yellowing. This is just by hand with a micro fibre cloth. Old fashioned elbow grease. You can use sandpaper and polishing mop etc if you are brave....

By hand or having to use a machine does depend on how bad the yellowing is, I reckon.

The worst car on the UK roads for headlight yellowing is the Renault Clio. I did one last week where I had to go down to a pretty abrasive grade of paper to eliminate as much yellowing and pitting as safely possible (still had a bit left but same as polishing paintwork, have to balance end result against integrity of what is left).

This is the before:

Then used a DA Sander with various grades, followed by a MOP, applying 3M specialist plastic restorers and polishes designed for use with headlights.

Bit of a difference :). It would not have been possible to restore these lights without significant use of abrasives, and would have been there for hours without using machines ;)

[Big Kev]

As previously disgust, Hoovie, Funerburd Too awaits your presence for aforementioned process. Good wan on that Clio, matey......next time just phone Jamesy Firemac, the founder of The Happy Smile Club....LOL. He will fix with wife's toothbrush......

[firemac]

As previously disgust, Hoovie, Funerburd Too awaits your presence for aforementioned process. Good wan on that Clio, matey......next time just phone Jamesy Firemac, the founder of The Happy Smile Club....LOL. He will fix with wife's toothbrush......

And shes has a leccy one now. Much quicker!

[Big Kev]

DO NOT LET HER FOOL YOU, Jim........Anne Summers is NOT a dentist.....

[firemac]

DO NOT LET HER FOOL YOU, Jim........Anne Summers is NOT a dentist.....

I know that. She's an orthodontist!

[Big Kev]

DO NOT LET HER FOOL YOU, Jim........Anne Summers is NOT a dentist.....

I know that. She's an orthodontist!

Ah...right....a Greek religious tooth fixer.....

[CharlieFarlie]

Headlights can be polished to perfection with ordinary car polish.. There is no need for fancy expensive kit.. Best bit is the polish you use will determine the quality of finish so using a heavy cut first followed by a slight cut will give an awesome finish...

[Big Kev]

Will try and report, Charlie.

[Big Kev]

Well Charlie......ah hope you are proud of yourself.....I was just about to pay ma mate Hoovie £1.99 to clean my wifes headlights, when you suggested, even to a neejit like me with a DA polisher, how to go about it.....

Well all ah can say is.....Yeehah and Thanks.....!!!!!! Worked a treat.....modus operandi......

DA POLISHER on low speed 2 and gentle pressure with Meguiars (stupid USA spelling) polish :Mirror Glaze Ultra Cut Compound 105. This reads as HIGH on their wee label graphic and that I presumed means it should be used carefully (12 on their scale, where 12 is highest cut.) Then on speed 6 for a short period (top speed on mine) and prey hesto.......bloom on acrylic cover totally gone !!!!

Don't usually do this, follow up with a finer polish, but on recommendation of Charlie, finished off with another.... Meg's Ultimate Compound on highest speed again. Golly Gosh....what a stonking finish, so gave a good wee waxing with Collinite. In fairness, the bloom was not that bad considerising its 9 year vintage, but the chrome behind the acrylic is much more visible. (Jamesy Firemac and Toothbrush eat yer heart oot.....)LOL.

If there are any better UV protectors youz good folks can recommend, please advise.

Sorry Hoovie.....sell the bloody cat then....too expensive to feed....

Big Kev

[CharlieFarlie]

Kev if you have some Jetseal left just coat it with that for fifteen minutes and wipe off.. They are so easy to polish / restore it wouldn't matter if you put nothing on them ..

Using the heavy cut is exactly what I would have done.. Think of it as rough sandpaper.. Then step down to a finer grade and maybe again for that ultimate finish.. And of course smoothness..

With plastic headlights you have of course no laquer to strike through so you cant really do any harm.. Be careful though mate if using that grade of polish on the body and especially on plastic painted parts like bumpers.. It really does have some bite !

Nothing quite like the satisfaction of doing it yourself eh ?

[webleymk3]

Hi

You can use Tooth Paste to clean the headlights

Don't get the bottles mixed up, or you'll tooth paste yer headlights and t-cut yet teeth! Hey Kev.. is that what you do??? Explains a lot (but not all) if you do!

[Big Kev]

Hi

You can use Tooth Paste to clean the headlights

Don't get the bottles mixed up, or you'll tooth paste yer headlights and t-cut yet teeth! Hey Kev.. is that what you do??? Explains a lot (but not all) if you do!

Ma real name is Donny Osram.......what a singer and some set of teeth......!! (Osram.....get it....?)

[Hoovie]

Donny Osram. Think I went to school with him? Always a bright kid :)

[Hoovie]

Kev if you have some Jetseal left just coat it with that for fifteen minutes and wipe off.. They are so easy to polish / restore it wouldn't matter if you put nothing on them ..

Using the heavy cut is exactly what I would have done.. Think of it as rough sandpaper.. Then step down to a finer grade and maybe again for that ultimate finish.. And of course smoothness..

With plastic headlights you have of course no laquer to strike through so you cant really do any harm.. Be careful though mate if using that grade of polish on the body and especially on plastic painted parts like bumpers.. It really does have some bite !

Nothing quite like the satisfaction of doing it yourself eh ?

That method is perfect to use. I found when the lights are really bad (like that Clio), using actual abrasive saves a lot of time compared to a cutting polish, but if you don't have a sander already, then no worries.

I when doing the lights, it is worth masking off the front of the wing and the bumper to protect from the polishing pad and THEN put a bit of gaffer tape on top of the masking tape as belt and braces for paint protection.

[Big Kev]

Donny Osram. Think I went to school with him? Always a bright kid :)

His grandfather was also a long lasting bright spark.........that's his Maz-da......all rights reversed.

[Nav-CTS]

hi i know this topic has been dead for awhile my headlighs have a frosty mist on the outside i believe, would the toothpaste way work best for a cheap fix? would any toothpaste do the job or does is have to be a certain type? if anyone has done it or knows how to i would be happy chap if someone could point me in the right direction

thanks

[FROSTYBALLS]

All toothpastes contain a detergent and an abrasive - the detergent gets rid of food debris and the abrasive removes plaque. So any toothpaste should help to remove clouding or yellowing on headlight lenses.

[Nav-CTS]

Cool ill give it ago elbow grease and rough side of a sponge pad lol thanks

[FROSTYBALLS]

Use a soft cloth (micro fibre or similar) as the scourer side of a sponge will be too harsh - might need a bit more elbow grease, but you will avoid heavy scratching with a cloth.