So, I'm getting started on the detailing and prep work to be ready to put the BMW up for sale. One thing it could use is to have the plastic headlight covers cleared up. They're not too bad, just a bit cloudy. The detailer can charge me an extra $50 for this, or I figure I can probably do it myself.
Any word on how to clear these up? Or will it be a better use of my money to have a professional detailer do it at the same time they take care of everything else.
I use Meguirs Plastic Cleaner and Plastic Polish on my car. It works great, however I do have to reapply it every couple of months!
Detailed write-up just posted here: Headlamp reconditioning This will take all but the deepest scratches out of a headlamp. The key step really is in the polishing.
BG makes a product. It's not cheap, but it works for a couple of years. You have to use a series of progressively lighter sand papers, the real trick is it comes with a sealant that slows down the deterioration. Saw a demo on a co-workers 92 Legacy, it went for cataract headlights to super clear.
Or for approx $100 you can buy new lenses online. I tried the various cleaning techniques on my contour svt and finally gave up purchasing the lenses on ebay. YMMV
I used one of the sand and polish kits on a friends Odyssey and it came out very nice. Huge difference from the yellowish foggy look it had.
Afterwards, will you notice a difference in the brightness of the lights while driving?
I am going through the same situation, one of the headlights on my wifes 9-5 is starting to get foggy. I was looking on saabnet and came across a guy who cleaned his lights up and then put this over them:
3M™ Polyurethane Protective Tape 8674
He said they have been clear for like a year after putting the film on. One of these weekends I am going to try it out.
Thanks for the tips. I'll try to pick up something inexpensive.
This doesn't need to be perfect or fancy. My headlights actually aren't all that bad, and it doesn't need to last forever. My main goal is just to pretty it up for saleability purposes.
Short term solution is to use polish and clean the lens. One of the small power balls is great. Sell it quick because 60 days seems to be tops imo.
I just tried the sandpaper route, and that didnt turn out well. So, I used my GRM coupon and bought the polisher. That, with a little polishing compound worked fantastic.
I did it to both my escorts.
Joey
toothpaste and scrubbing with a soft nylon brush (like you use to clean the dishes) has worked well for me in the past. It isn't perfect, but it is basically free.
I do this to the E36's headlight covers a few times a year, and they still look great.
While this is bumped, anyone put wax over the lens after you polish them?
I'm sure someone sells a wax "formulated for clarity" or some such nonsense but I've been using Collinite as a longterm wax and that might extend the polish job a bit.
Bleech white takes the yellow off. Then just polish/buff.
I used Meguiar's (sp?) 2-stage process. It seems to have worked well. They still have the little chips, but are otherwise clear and shiny.
