PlastX success on headlights

the new guy said:
hi i was wondering if anyone can help me out? I wet sanded my headlights and fallowed up with some 3m polish compound. After that the headlights look amazing not a single scratch! But at night when i turn the headlights on theres a light film of hazy over them. I try using 3m plastic polish,nu finish plastic polish, and plastx but none seem to work! any suggestions on how to get them clear?

Try wiping down with iso alcohol
 
Probably want to use isopropanol, which is regular rubbing alcohol. You'll also hear isopropyl alcohol, same thing.



It's also what IPA stands for. IsoPropyl Alcohol.



I think many would consider using ethanol a party foul. Not to mention, any cop that pulls you over is going to think bad things about you.
 
You can get quicker results than using a PC by using a 4" orange pad and an electric drill (w/ backing plate with drill attachment). It's easier to control than a big rotary machine.
 
The new guy ended up asking the same question in three different threads. I think Meg's is a good correction polish but you should finish with a milder polish.



I did an experiment a scratched clear plastic CD case and PlastX would remove scracthes but would not restore optical clarity. I then finished with a milder polish (Mothers Plastic Polish) and it cleared up the hazing (seen in a reflection). This test told me do not use PlastX on sensitive optical plastics like the instrument cluster lens unless you have another polish handy to finish it. I had similar success with headlights to really get it visually clearer.
 
JBM said:
Be careful on headlights.



The more aggressive pads will chew through the UV film that is on them.



I did it with AIO in a small area and a yellow SFX spot pad.



He's right. Anything abrasive will damage the UV layer on your headlights.

The UV layer is soft and will cloud up with fine scratches or be removed completely. Without the UV layer the lens will begin to turn a sickly yellow in a few months.



Unless your UV layer is already gone or damaged you want to keep it intact. Use a non abrasive pure liquid acrylic lens de-oxidizer. It will remove the oxidation on the lens surface instantly, no buffing, sanding or damage to the surface of the lens.
 
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