My headlights are hazy. And I'm not happy. I'm a little surprised that they look like this but then I remember that this car was built 2/12. She's getting old...

SO what do you guys recommend? I'm hesitant using one of the basic restorer kits but if there's nothing else I can do I'll have to go that route.

 

Next time you are in for service have the advisor add a line item for cleaning headlight lenses.

The kits are too much work for too little result in my experience

 

Those definitely need a restore! Besides looks, might be losing some light output as well.

It depends on how much time and effort you want to invest, but the best route is wet sanding down and polishing. You want to get the very very top layer of faded plastic off the headlight. Starting with 800 grit, then to 1000 and then to finer grits like 2000 and 3000 until its smooth and ready for polishing. Then polish away.

I've used the inexpensive 3M restoration kit on my daily beater and it worked great. When I get around to doing the GS I'll use some higher quality sandpaper and polish.

Check this vid for an example of the process:

 

I'd let a pro do it. They'll do it for like $50.

Good news is its easily fixed.

 

Just polish it out and I do advise any one gets a new car always put a clear bra on the headlight worth every penny.

 

Yup, I had clear bra put on the headlights once I got my CPO 13 GS350. Unfortunately hazy headlights happens to all cars I've seen.

 

You can sand them with 800/1000/2000 wetsand, then you can polish them. But the most important thing to do on these is SEALING them. Most of the people who restore headlghts never seal them, they will turn right back if you don't do this. I use sonax polimer net sheild on mine, then I also have another headlight sealer you can get at s local auto store and put that on top. Without UV protection it goes right back.

 

No need to wetsand your headlights or buy any headlight restoration kits. Just get one of these,





Squeeze some of that ScartchX on your microfiber pad, you don't need a lot. Start polishing your headlights with circular motion, you'll need to apply slight pressure.
Wait until the compound is fully dry, then use a clean and dry towel to clean the area.
Done!

I found this by pure accident while getting the swirl marks off my bumper.......

 

The Scratch X isn't going to work on really clouded lenses, and its not going to work nearly as well as a more aggressive job including sanding, etc.

Based on my experience, his headlights require a machine polish at minimum, and perhaps sanding.

 

Mine were worst than his, the ScatchX got rid of it all. It will not work if your lenses are starting to change color, become yellowish..ect
But for minor things like that it works well. The only down side, you may have to do this every other month. Which is not an issue, it only takes 5 minutes.

 

I've tried to polish headlights out with ScratchX and a machine even and haven't had the same experience.

 

Just remember that if you polish the headlights, you HAVE to put a layer of UV protection on them, otherwise they'll just turn yellow MUCH quicker next time. AMMONYC has a video on YouTube about this. Search for it.

 

Strongly agree with this.

 

Awesome, thanks guys. I may buy the ScratchX and UV protectant to hold me over until I have time to find a good detailer to restore them. I have a buffer I may use with the ScratchX.

 

I've wet sanded my daughter's '04 Civic headlights twice now. I have applied a coat of UV protector I use on my boat, but within 6 months they start to yellow. I looked at the product details of the sonax polymer net shield and didn't' see where it specifically stated it provides UV protection. e60BMW, you have used this with good results, keep the UV yellowing away?