Topic: CAR Headlight De-Fogging

[Accolay]

I accidentally found that wiping a bit of MEK across plastic foggy headlight lenses seems to clear them up quite well. Just be careful that you don't try it another time immediately afterwards because the solvent has done its job and if you wipe them again it'll be like wiping across drying paint.

It seems to clear them up really well, and for me, a cheaper and quicker solution than buying one of those kits. No idea how long it will last before they get foggy again, but I'm satisfied for now. Of course, the clear coat on my '96 Civic is peeling off, so I don't really care about the paint. If you try this, you might want to tape off your car first.

[flybox1]

I accidentally found that wiping a bit of MEK across plastic foggy headlight lenses seems to clear them up quite well. Just be careful that you don't try it another time immediately afterwards because the solvent has done its job and if you wipe them again it'll be like wiping across drying paint.

It seems to clear them up really well, and for me, a cheaper and quicker solution than buying one of those kits. No idea how long it will last before they get foggy again, but I'm satisfied for now. Of course, the clear coat on my '96 Civic is peeling off, so I don't really care about the paint. If you try this, you might want to tape off your car first.

Good to know.

I originally bought one of those 3M rotory tool headlight treatment kits, just for the sponge/foam pad to use as polish/swirl remover applicator for my tank and side cover paint i had done.  turned around the next week and used the rest of the kit on the wifes car headlights.  worked well.

[Spanner 1]

Toothpaste  .... just give it a try with a rag and rinse -off.....  ... works great.

[Accolay]

That would require elbow grease 

[wardenerd]

i use the 999 disposable from Harbor freight.  Use the drill for 6 minutes instead of 3 for best results.

[Raul CB750K1]

Just a FYI, don't know whether it is true, but I head that the reason for the car headlights to get dull with time is for using low-quality -read "chinese"- bulbs. It seems that the good ones has some kind of filter in the glass to prevent UV being projected.

[Duanob]

Funny right after I painted my tank and buffed it out I took the DA buffer and the anti-swirl compound and tried it on my wife's Honda Civic HL lenses. They are notorious for headlight lens gloom. It worked great. I also have some 3m Imperial compound that worked like a charm on my boat's chalky gel coat I might try that next.

"the reason for the car headlights to get dull with time is for using low-quality -read "chinese"- bulbs"

I kind of doubt it because the crud is on the outside of the lens, the bulb is on the inside.

[Raul CB750K1]

I kind of doubt it because the crud is on the outside of the lens, the bulb is on the inside.

As I said, it is just something I heard and maybe it is just BS, but as we are talking reactions to some kind of radiation, it wouldn't mind much whether it is on the inside or the outside where the sensitive material is.

You probably have noticed that, wherever you use fluorescent light, appliances plastics -like old computer's keyboards, monitors, or kitchen appliances- turn to yellow with time. If it was a glass in between, it wouldn't make any difference....

[flybox1]

Toothpaste  .... just give it a try with a rag and rinse -off.....  ... works great.

when car headlights are like this gals teeth you need a little more than toothpaste and a wet rinse.