Ice350

iTrader: (1)

My headlights were beginning to look cloudy. I bought rubbing compound hoping that would make them look much better. I left the compond on too long, lights look worse.
I ordered new light housings. If anyone has installed new housings, please give detailed instructions.
Thanks

Hermosa

Just use the compound again and some real elbow grease. You should be able to buff it out. Post some pics of it. What kind of rubbing compound did you use that actually causes damage if you let it sit there?

mooretorque

I used Meguiars Plastic Cleaner followed by Polish (which I then followed with Plexus.......obsessive-compulsive, I guess) on my lenses, which were beginning to show some faint clouding. Even with the cleaner, it took a fair amount of time and a LOT of elbow grease but the results were certainly worth it. (I also have Zaino, but it was taking way too long which led me to try the Meguiars.)

I'm with Hermosa; what kind of rubbing compound would damage your plexiglas just sitting on it??

TouringGS

Were the headlights in direct sunlight while the compound was applied? And, as the other guys asked what level of abrasiveness/brand of compound was it?

I've dealt with hazy headlights on a few cars, and depending on the severity of the condition you might have to wetsand, then polish the scratches out with a buffer. If I choose just to compound and skip the wetsanding, I'll start off with 3M's heavy duty compound with a rotary or DA polisher, followed by 3M's microfinish compound, and finish off with a good plastic polish such as Meguiar's or Plexus.

I doubt you had to buy new headlights, though. That's an expense you could have avoided. I would try to salvage those headlights by wetsanding, and polish the scratches out. Good luck.