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Headlight "Clouding"

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Old Dec 15, 2012 | 11:02 AM
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Default Headlight "Clouding"

The headlights in my '02 UL have a cloudy substance that is starting to accumulate over the top. At this point, it is not affecting the functional use of the headlights. Any ideas? I have seen kits that can be used to clean. Also, a local body shop says they can be wetsanded. Just wondering if anyone else has the same problem or a good solution.
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Old Dec 15, 2012 | 12:24 PM
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Same thing here. I mean was here . I use my Porter Cable DA polisher and Meguiars PlastX to remove all grime and clouding. You can wetsand it if its very cloudy/dirty with 1500 and then 2000 grit and then polish it.
Beware though, you'll need to reseal headlights, if you don't they'll yellow in 3-4 months. Opti coat by optimum is a good sealer.
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Old Dec 15, 2012 | 01:15 PM
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^^^^^ What he said. I use my griot da orbital with plastx. I just did my ls430 and my dad's ls430. Both look like new. I didnt have any opticoat or any kind of sealer. I just put like 4 coats of wax on there and hopefully it should last half a year.
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Old Dec 15, 2012 | 01:18 PM
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I've done the same but I have installed a 3M ventureshield film to protect them against the UV

Thanks,
Denis.
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Old Dec 17, 2012 | 11:01 AM
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just did mine, I purchased the Meguires extreme kit, there you have 1000 grit and 3000 grit wet sanding as well as the plastix and sealer. Mine had some nasty scratches and some plastic delaminating going on. After spending about 20 Minutes per headlamp, they look like new. The only thing I did different than what the kit suggests, is I used some polishing compound after the final sand, followed by Harley swirl & scratch remover, then followed the rest of their instructions for the Plastix and sealer. This seemed to work like a charm, If you follow the directions, it will work well for you. Do some before and after shots when you do this so you can see the difference..
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Old Feb 1, 2013 | 09:56 PM
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I have used 1500 grit wet or dry paper. You can use 2000 and have less polishing to do afterwards but it takes longer to sand out the cloudiness. To me it's a wash. Use it wet and tape off the body around the headlight lens. You'll be really mad if you "sand" your paint by accident and it's easy to do. After it is sanded smooth and the cloudiness gone use a quality plastic polish. I use Blue Magic which has a UV protectant in it but Meguire's is good too. It's a bit of work but the lenses will look like new.
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Old Feb 1, 2013 | 10:30 PM
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I did the wet sanding and polished but i never did use a sealer. So now the plastic on the headlights are turning yellow. Is there anyway to get rid of the yellowing?
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Old Feb 2, 2013 | 06:08 AM
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no. new headlights
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Old Feb 2, 2013 | 09:09 AM
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I used 5 levels of fine sandpaper with an orbital sander, then my body man used a sealer to help it last. I spent about 3 hours wet sanding, then tok it to him once they were freshly looking like new. So far so good. This was 9 months ago.
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Old Feb 2, 2013 | 09:55 AM
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I did mine about 3 times (once a year) and it ruined it. At some point you polish off the protective coating and they haze/yellow/green/cloud fast... If it's past that - i see no solution other than new lights...
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Old Feb 2, 2013 | 01:50 PM
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You can use sealer like Optimum Opticoat.
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