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Cleaning headlamp covers

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Old Jul 18, 2010 | 06:35 PM
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Default Cleaning headlamp covers

Does anyone have advice on the best technique or product to use to clean the film on the front headlamp covers. Paid Lexus mechanic to clean with only marginal results. Now he claims to have a new product but says it's expensive.

Thanks
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Old Jul 18, 2010 | 07:48 PM
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You might try doing a search -- there have been several past threads on cleaning 98-up plastic headlight lenses. I used a $20 Crystal View kit from Advance Auto -- it is a multi-step process which ends in using a chemical sealer to keep the lenses from deteriorating again.

By the way, your profile says 1988 LS400 -- do you mean 1998?
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Old Jul 18, 2010 | 07:54 PM
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1000 grit compound and a buffer.....btw, you should have a lexus detailer look at it rather than a mechanic.
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 07:54 AM
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Meguires swirl polish/cleaner and a buffer. Use a very light touch and don't let it get hot. Then go to your local Clear Bra installer and buy a couple scrap peices to cover the lens' with.
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 08:02 AM
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meguiars Plast-x and a microfiber towel.
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 08:09 AM
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After doing some research on how to remove scratches from CDs, Brasso metal polish was recommended. It worked!

Then when I decided to clear the fog off my other car's plastic lenses, I used the Brasso since I had it and thought what the heck...... it worked great!! Rubbed it on with a damp cloth and wiped it off with a clean dry one.
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 08:58 AM
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Toothpaste.
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 03:13 PM
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whatever method you use make sure that you either start waxing the lenses daily or get the lenses clear-bra'd to prevent them from re-oxidizing.
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Old Jul 20, 2010 | 01:43 PM
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You are right. I did the 1000 grit, then Maguires ultimate compound with a buffer.
They came out great but after a week, I can see a slight haze coming back.
Any sealer around to stop the oxidizing?
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Old Jul 20, 2010 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by mark98ls40
You are right. I did the 1000 grit, then Maguires ultimate compound with a buffer.
They came out great but after a week, I can see a slight haze coming back.
Any sealer around to stop the oxidizing?
As I said in the above post, the Crystal View headlight refinishing kit includes a clear sealer that is used in the final step to keep the lenses from deteriorating again. The sealer smells a bit like polyurethane and drys rock-hard. I refinished my headlights almost two years ago and I they still look great.

Some other headlight refinishing kits include a similar clear sealer and have been mentioned in past threads.
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Old Jul 20, 2010 | 09:23 PM
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Thanks for the info.
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