Cleaning Yellowed Headlamps

Prometheus

Prometheus

Perfectionist in Rehab
So, the other day i was walking up to my car, and i noticed that the plastic of my headlamps was yellowing. I never noticed it before (maybe i just ignored it, i dont know), but it really buggs me now. Is there an easy way to get rid of it? I cant tell if its oxidation, just junk on the inside that needs to be cleaned, or what it is. ANy ideas? Thanks in advance.
 
Try either Plexus or Megs PlastX. Either should clear up any hazing. For heavily ozidated headlamps I have used metal polish.
 
I'm pretty sure its the outside you gotta worry about. I helped a friend clean his father's headlights which were yellow too. We used a buffer and some metal polish and really got them cleaned up.
 
I'll see if i can get some pics today, but it really looks like its on the inside the more i look at it. Ill try some polish later though, see if it works.
 
Try metal polish, tooth paste, or brasso. The yellowing problem is a very common occurence for crown victoria owners, so they are always trying to figure out a way to clean them up. If it is on the inside (which is rare, usually cloudiness is on the inside and yellow is on the outside) then you can take the light out of the car, take the bulb out of the light and fill the light half way full of water. Then swish the water around vigorously. Then empty out and use a hair dryer to dry out the rest of the water.

To protect from yellowing in the future, wax the headlights when you wax the car.
 
I'll have to see if anyone around here has any of that stuff, doubt itm but ill look anyway. I know i can get some metal polish, but with no PC, i dont know how well it would work.
 
I have used Megs #10 and #17 combo with great results. I used Plexus for maintenance. For example, below are pics of what it did to a 14 year old glass window on a Miata.



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10%20and%2017%20012.jpg
 
I had the same problem with my 93 Toyota and even ended up buying brighter lights because I thought the yellowing was on the inside too. Because of this thread I went out and bought BlueMagic Metal Polish Cream at Autozone for $3.99. It made my headlights look brand new and now I don't have to fight seeing at night.
 
mnbv said:
what about moisture on the inside of the headlight, how can I prevent this?
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Don't worry about it. As soon as you turn the headlights on, the heat will evaporate any moisture that is in there.
 
Malachi said:
I have used Megs #10 and #17 combo with great results. I used Plexus for maintenance. For example, below are pics of what it did to a 14 year old glass window on a Miata.



10%20and%2017%20005.jpg




10%20and%2017%20012.jpg
Click to expand...



Isenglass sucks doesn't it? No matter how hard u try, you will almost always scratch it due to its soft design.
 
I don't remember what it said, but the Autopia guide specifically addresses cleaning your headlight covers if they turn yellow.
 
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