How To Keep Headlight Lenses Clear

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11-01-2015, 01:31 PM

Location: SW Florida 5,346 posts, read 7,286,034 times Reputation: 10203

I've seen the thread on restoring the headlights, but I would like to know if there is something pro-actively I could use on my two-year-old vehicle to stop the yellowing before it starts. I had an old Toyota that looked brand-new because I waxed it so frequently....except for the darn headlights. I bought a restoration kit and it looked good for about a day. I would like to prevent it on this vehicle, if that is possible. Thanks!

11-01-2015, 01:44 PM

rbohm 33,414 posts, read 30,929,453 times Reputation: 19951

about the best you can do is maintain what you have. clear plastic will yellow and oxidize regularly. a lot of guys have had some luck with doing a light regular sanding with a very fine grit paper, and then hitting the lights with clear coat. that will give some UV protection for a couple of years until the clear coat starts to yellow and fade, then sand it off and clear it again. once the lights oxidize, you need to go through the sanding, polishing and clearing bit regularly.

11-01-2015, 02:38 PM

notnamed 12,854 posts, read 7,605,513 times Reputation: 13490

Most of those restoration kits come with a dealer to prevent it coming back right away did you not apply that? But you want to get some sort of UV protectant on them. The wax I use, Zaino, does a good job of that and is safe to apply to plastic.

11-01-2015, 02:43 PM

41,823 posts, read 46,463,446 times Reputation: 17775

I would imagine using a little polishing compound on them occasionally will prevent it. You'll basically be removing a little each time instead of waiting around to do it all at once.

11-01-2015, 03:04 PM

17,372 posts, read 21,226,478 times Reputation: 22686

I have a theory that garaging a vehicle is the best way to prevent oxidation/clouding of the headlight lenses. That way, the amount of UV light to which the lenses are subjected is reduced to a great extent. All of my vehicles since 1986 have been garaged, and none of them ever suffered from that problem with the headlight lenses--even after as much as ten years of ownership. The cars in question--a Ford Taurus, a Honda Accord, and three Subaru Outbacks--were driven on the interstate highway daily, so they did get their share of hits from rocks, gravel, and grit, and yet none of them ever wound up with clouded headlight lenses. I have to think that garaging them made the difference.

11-01-2015, 03:51 PM

Bummer Location: Southern Arizona 9,529 posts, read 29,109,442 times Reputation: 11452

I agree with protecting the entire vehicle, paint as well as plastic, by parking in a Garage or Carport whenever possible and when out and about, a shady parking spot. Also, a quick Wax / Polish at least once every two or three months or at least twice a year when Waxing / Polishing the entire vehicle. Anything to limit the amount of UV damage.

11-01-2015, 04:55 PM

eddie1278 2,994 posts, read 4,851,296 times Reputation: 4690

Headlight sealer specifically made for headlights. Regular paint clear coat will eventually peel off.

11-01-2015, 05:20 PM

IShootNikon 4,591 posts, read 4,510,787 times Reputation: 5527

There are dedicated coatings for headlights but I would just use CarPro CQuartz and be done with it

11-01-2015, 05:22 PM

Location: SW Florida 5,346 posts, read 7,286,034 times Reputation: 10203

Quote: Originally Posted by Retriever I have a theory that garaging a vehicle is the best way to prevent oxidation/clouding of the headlight lenses. That way, the amount of UV light to which the lenses are subjected is reduced to a great extent. All of my vehicles since 1986 have been garaged, and none of them ever suffered from that problem with the headlight lenses--even after as much as ten years of ownership. The cars in question--a Ford Taurus, a Honda Accord, and three Subaru Outbacks--were driven on the interstate highway daily, so they did get their share of hits from rocks, gravel, and grit, and yet none of them ever wound up with clouded headlight lenses. I have to think that garaging them made the difference. Right, yeah, the Toyota I mentioned was in a carport most of its life, facing the shade, but later it was just in the driveway, completely unprotected. Maybe that's when the headlights really started going downhill. I think the headlight restorer had a little sanding pad with it but I'm sure I didn't have a lot of oomph behind it. The vehicle I have now is in the aforementioned carport facing the shade. I was going to start reversing it now and then so the back was not constantly subjected to the sun, but now I'm thinking that will just accelerate the headlight issue so maybe not. Thanks for the tips, I will try some of the things you've mentioned above.

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How To Keep Headlight Lenses Clear

Source: https://www.city-data.com/forum/automotive/2474253-there-way-prevent-headlight-oxidation-before.html

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