HID / Plastic Headlight cleaner is AWESOME!!!
11-12-04, 03:26 AM
#17
Lexus Champion
I had been using Meguiar's M17 cleaner and M10 polish. They worked well but took a bit of elbow grease; each headlight took between a little less than an hour. Sounds like the newer/cheaper version they brought out is easier...........
Dan, have you had the chance to compare???
Dan, have you had the chance to compare???
11-12-04, 10:21 AM
#18
M/T, I too have used the older versions of Meg's plastic cleaner & polish, so I can't comment on the newer stuff.
FWIW, I think it's telling that, when you do a search on "headlight oxidation" & "headlight cleaning" on this and ANY car forum on the internet, you'll find people have success with MANY products and approaches. This should illustrate that just about any abrasive or chemical cleaning product works just fine. I always used 3M rubbing compound and Finesse-It polish with a rotary buffer, and on hard core oxidation on my customers' cars, I often have to wetsand first, followed by the 3M routine. The end result is new looking lens'. So you can get the same end result with a plethora of approaches.
That said, I'm happy to hear of new products that may make the process faster and easier for everyone.
FWIW, I think it's telling that, when you do a search on "headlight oxidation" & "headlight cleaning" on this and ANY car forum on the internet, you'll find people have success with MANY products and approaches. This should illustrate that just about any abrasive or chemical cleaning product works just fine. I always used 3M rubbing compound and Finesse-It polish with a rotary buffer, and on hard core oxidation on my customers' cars, I often have to wetsand first, followed by the 3M routine. The end result is new looking lens'. So you can get the same end result with a plethora of approaches.
That said, I'm happy to hear of new products that may make the process faster and easier for everyone.
11-13-04, 07:53 AM
#22
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Originally posted by e-man
So do you guys think that basic medium rubbing compound will have the same effect? It wouldn't leave more scratches, would it?
So do you guys think that basic medium rubbing compound will have the same effect? It wouldn't leave more scratches, would it?
11-13-04, 08:31 AM
#23
I always use rubbing compound, if you have any slight haze or micro scratches, you must finish up with a fine polish. If the oxidation is only minor, you can skip the rubbing compound and START with a fine or medium cut polish.
Most fine-cut rubbing compounds will polish out crystal clear when used properly. Takes some effort by hand though (I use machine). Always rub with medium to heavy pressure initially then light pressure on the last few passes.
The plastic cleaners such as the Meguiar's products, chemically clean, so for the 'average Joe', they would be much easier and less complicated.
Most fine-cut rubbing compounds will polish out crystal clear when used properly. Takes some effort by hand though (I use machine). Always rub with medium to heavy pressure initially then light pressure on the last few passes.
The plastic cleaners such as the Meguiar's products, chemically clean, so for the 'average Joe', they would be much easier and less complicated.
11-13-04, 09:26 AM
#24
Meguiar's PlastX contains diminishing micro-abrasives. It contains no harsh solvents. It does contain a polymer protection to leave the lenses highly water resistant.
Nice product, I've used it on many of my customer's cars as well as my own and it has never failed to delight. It easily removes stains and fine scratches restoring the lens to a like new condition in minutes. It works equally well by hand or with a PC.
Nice product, I've used it on many of my customer's cars as well as my own and it has never failed to delight. It easily removes stains and fine scratches restoring the lens to a like new condition in minutes. It works equally well by hand or with a PC.
11-13-04, 10:09 AM
#25
Everyone has to bear in mind, that cleaners such as the product Jim mentioned are going to have a limited effectiveness on severe yellowing and oxidation, primarily because it has such fine abrasives / cleaners. You'll have to go to a larger grit and possibly sanding for that. Here's someone with a similar reference to what I mean;
http://members.aol.com/agspeed/clean...ight_cover.htm
Been there and done that too.
On light oxidation or regular maintenance cleaning, the plastic polishes will work great. You'll have to break out the heavier stuff for lens' that are too far gone though.
Think of the analogy in terms of paint oxidation; You can use a fine polish on slight paint dulling and be successful, but chalky / dead paint requires compounding and more polishing steps. There is no magic 1 step product that fits every need and situation, for paint or plastic. Cheers.
http://members.aol.com/agspeed/clean...ight_cover.htm
Been there and done that too.
On light oxidation or regular maintenance cleaning, the plastic polishes will work great. You'll have to break out the heavier stuff for lens' that are too far gone though.
Think of the analogy in terms of paint oxidation; You can use a fine polish on slight paint dulling and be successful, but chalky / dead paint requires compounding and more polishing steps. There is no magic 1 step product that fits every need and situation, for paint or plastic. Cheers.
Last edited by Guitarman; 11-13-04 at 10:23 AM.
11-14-04, 08:22 PM
#26
Pole Position
nice did you try it on any of the interior plastics yet?
CEO
CEO
11-15-04, 08:21 AM
#27
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Re: HID / Plastic Headlight cleaner is AWESOME!!!
Originally posted by whitels
When the warranty expired on the GS, I kicked myself for not complaining about the hazy, white film or cloud in my headlight. I said, this could be the "condensation" people were talking about. It really looked like dry condensate, like a shower door that hasn't been cleaned for a month. Looking closely, it seemed like the haze is on the inside of the lens.
When driving at night, I could almost see maps being beamed on the road and the HID brightness is not as usual. The haze traps the light and stops brightness from leaving the headlight
Then, the RX was also having the same problem. It was still under warranty and so I took it to the dealer. All the dealer did was clean it and BOOM, they did an amazing job. I thought I could do this to the GS. I searched the internet and zeroed in on a product called Meguiars Plastic Cleaner. I used the #18 first. It cleaned it just a bit but not enough. Then, I got the other bottle, I have in on the picture below. That DID it!!!
I also used it on the park and tailights, worked like a charm. For those of you with the same problem, here is the $6.49 solution and an hour of your time (for all lights with plastic lens).
Here's the BEFORE photo:
When the warranty expired on the GS, I kicked myself for not complaining about the hazy, white film or cloud in my headlight. I said, this could be the "condensation" people were talking about. It really looked like dry condensate, like a shower door that hasn't been cleaned for a month. Looking closely, it seemed like the haze is on the inside of the lens.
When driving at night, I could almost see maps being beamed on the road and the HID brightness is not as usual. The haze traps the light and stops brightness from leaving the headlight
Then, the RX was also having the same problem. It was still under warranty and so I took it to the dealer. All the dealer did was clean it and BOOM, they did an amazing job. I thought I could do this to the GS. I searched the internet and zeroed in on a product called Meguiars Plastic Cleaner. I used the #18 first. It cleaned it just a bit but not enough. Then, I got the other bottle, I have in on the picture below. That DID it!!!
I also used it on the park and tailights, worked like a charm. For those of you with the same problem, here is the $6.49 solution and an hour of your time (for all lights with plastic lens).
Here's the BEFORE photo:
So, do I just need the one bottle in the picture you posted??? Or do I need to buy multiple bottles to get the same results as you did?????
11-15-04, 11:19 AM
#28
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Originally posted by THE_CEO
nice did you try it on any of the interior plastics yet?
Not yet, but it's supposed to be "appropriate" for cleaning the platic cover on instrument cluster.
CEO
nice did you try it on any of the interior plastics yet?
Not yet, but it's supposed to be "appropriate" for cleaning the platic cover on instrument cluster.
CEO
11-15-04, 11:20 AM
#29
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Re: Re: HID / Plastic Headlight cleaner is AWESOME!!!
Originally posted by Skinny
So, do I just need the one bottle in the picture you posted??? Or do I need to buy multiple bottles to get the same results as you did?????
So, do I just need the one bottle in the picture you posted??? Or do I need to buy multiple bottles to get the same results as you did?????
11-15-04, 11:28 AM
#30
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Re: Re: Re: HID / Plastic Headlight cleaner is AWESOME!!!
Originally posted by whitels
One bottle is more than enough. It could do in my estimate 4 - 6 cars (just headlights).
One bottle is more than enough. It could do in my estimate 4 - 6 cars (just headlights).
I can't find the #18 cleaner on even the MEguiar's website. You remember where you got yours from?
THanks.