RangerM Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I hit a deer a couple of months ago, taking out my grill and LH headlight. I now have a new clean LH headlight, and a RH headlight that looks like it has cataracts. I've read a bit about several solutions to the problem and wanted to see if anyone had any experiences they could provide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixt9coug Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 mild rubbing compound and a good polisher do wonders. i wish i had the pics here of a set i did on a Civic not too long ago. Headlights are plastic. Modern auto clearcoats are urethane which is also basically a plastic. some of the same processes apply to both. You can polish the lenses with a mildly abrasive compound though. you can do it by hand, but im sure if you hit up a local detailing shop, they will be better equipped to do it right, and it wont take long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piper87C Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 mild rubbing compound and a good polisher do wonders. i wish i had the pics here of a set i did on a Civic not too long ago. Headlights are plastic. Modern auto clearcoats are urethane which is also basically a plastic. some of the same processes apply to both. You can polish the lenses with a mildly abrasive compound though. you can do it by hand, but im sure if you hit up a local detailing shop, they will be better equipped to do it right, and it wont take long. I purchased a kit at Auto Zone for around $12.00 that included a buffer that fit into a drill. It worked wonders for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchdevil Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 (edited) Follow the directions closely for those auto part store headlamp restoration kits. They really work! A coworker of mine with a 2001 Mazda Tribute recently cleaned her lenses all by herself and they look like brand new. I seen the before and after and it was amazing! Check out this link: Headlamp Restoration Edited May 29, 2008 by Watchdevil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerM Posted June 15, 2008 Author Share Posted June 15, 2008 Thanks to all for the suggestions. I got the lens cleaned up nicely on the outside. Unfortunately, I guess I didn't realize that after 15 years there would be any discoloration on the inside. Oh well. Either I'll get a new one, or get over it. There is a marked improvement in the RH headlight performance regardless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchdevil Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 I suppose with that much age the insides do get messed up, particularly the chromed reflective surface. Aftermarket replacement parts are an alternative as they are usually much less expesive than buying from Ford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonsadler10 Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 you could always try dismanteling it and cleaning the inside with compound. alot of work to clean a headlight but might save you a new one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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