Deet can melt away rubber seals and plastic body trimmings.) Polish your … Remove the excess polish and buff with the microfiber cloth. Because Cleaning headlight is not a joke to try with just a mixture of Vinegar or Toothpaste, take it seriously and spend some money to buy WD-40 for the actual result. Create a baking soda paste to use on the yellow stains. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Some auto parts stores sell a kit to resurface plastic headlight lens. Remove the lens from the car/bike/etc. Then get another, dry/clean microfibre … Get exclusive offers, insider news & surprise giveaways. Apply liberally to an old washcloth and work it into a small area using a circular motion. Why Old Plastic Turns Yellow (and How You Can Make It White Again) This yellowing happens thanks to a flame retardant called bromine in those old ABS plastics. Wipe off and dry your headlights, then squeeze some of your polishing compound out onto a clean microfiber towel. If plastics are not yellowed … Kit. Wipe away any excess cleaner with the microfiber cloth. Use a good quality wet/dri sandpaper. Before we start the process, you must clean the headlight lenses very well. Sand again - This time, use a finer sandpaper to sand more on the headlights. Your email address will not be published. The best way to do this is to use soapy water. Fill a large bucket with vinegar and immerse the covers in the bucket. The good news is that glass headlights are much less likely to fade or discolor than plastic ones so it shouldn’t be an issue. Fold the paper towel twice, and spray it twice with WD 40. The best advice we can give when cleaning plastic headlights using the WD-40 is to first wash the entire headlight using car shampoo and clean water and this is just to make the entire area clean before proceeding with … I’ve had good luck with the following. Here are my thoughts about using hydrogen peroxide to clean yellowed tupperware, plastic utensils, and stained plastic dishes: Be patient. This will be followed by glazing with plastic polish. Rinse the lights with water and dry them with the microfiber … How to Remove Brake Cleaner Stains from Aluminum Wheels, How to Remove Water Marks from the Aluminum Exterior of an RV. Yellowed or foggy headlights can be cleaned with a paste made of baking soda. 5 Things Seniors Can Do to Stay Healthy and Safe, The 5 Cleaning Tasks Pet Owners Need for a Healthy Home. Try 400 grit to remove surface scratches and the top film of yellowed plastic. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Give the peroxide time to work. If the headlights are only slightly foggy, you can try and restore them using an abrasive, like toothpaste, and lots of scrubbing. Use a damp rag to apply the paste to the plastic cover of the headlight. Place some Comet cleaner on the scrubbing sponge and start scrubbing. The above example headlight was thoroughly cleaned with a cleaning kit months ago. Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Apply the plastic polish, again using a foam pad. Rub in the polish for a few minutes using circular motions. To begin your plastic headlight restoration process, I would recommend you get the following: Bowl, Warm water, and Automotive soap: For washing your headlight before. Your email address will not be published. Try 400 grit to remove surface scratches and the top film of yellowed plastic. After you’ve given your headlights a basic cleaning, apply the paste to the headlights with a corner of your sponge. Scrub the lights - Use a toothbrush with toothpaste to scrub the headlights. Use circular motions all around the surface of the plastic. More information about reversing yellowed plastic can be found in our guide. Using a microfiber cloth, or even a toothbrush, rub the vinegar, baking soda, or a combination of both into the headlight lens. Use 3% hydrogen peroxide, but expect that it may take more than one attempt to get the stains off. Begin by cleaning the plastic well by applying a small amount of the plastic cleaner on a foam pad. Headlight restoration. Allow to soak for 15-30min, scrub stains with a soft toothbrush. Polish the Lens. Dispose of the solution when you're done. Remove the plastic headlight covers from your car. The only way to repair this is step C or D. C. Call a Headlight Restoration Company for repairs, normally less than $100 for the pair … Meguiar's Headlight and Clear Plastic Restoration Kit restores like-new clarity to cloudy, scratched, oxidized and yellowed, uncoated plastic surfaces. Restore those foggy, hazy, headlights and learn how renew headlights to make your headlights clear and look new again. It’s always worth checking to make sure they’re plastic before starting the process though. Steps to Remove the Yellow Discoloration: Begin by cleaning the plastic well by applying a small amount of the plastic cleaner on a foam pad. A traditional headlight restoration won’t work on these. WD40 is a known remedy for yellowed headlights. Join our VIP newsletter...it's FREE! Headlights treated with LTC Headlight Cleaner will maintain clear for 8-12 months or more, it varies where your car is … Meguiar's unique PlastX formula works in concert with our unique buffing pad and your drill to safely … That’s all you’ll need to clean plastic headlights. Always test a small area first to ensure there are no adverse effects to the headlights. Clean off the headlights a second time - You may need to repeat with an even finer grit if the headlight covers … This requires plenty of elbow grease and time, but will take the yellow out with some scrubbing. Once all the dirt is removed, the surface can be polished for extra cleaning. If the above method does not remove the yellowing, there is a method that uses hydrogen peroxide that has been successful on various types of ABS plastic. Allow the headlights to sit for about an hour. Remove the lens from the car/bike/etc. When removing yellow discoloration from plastic, you first need to clean it. Rinse and dry the light cover. Make sure to cover them completely to save time. Wipe away any excess cleaner with the microfiber cloth. Go on, be generous. Also, the headlight will begin clouding up again in a matter of months. Repeat using the 1,000-grit, then the 2,000-grit sandpaper pads. When the yellow is removed, wash the piece in water and dish detergent. You can then use denatured alcohol or warm soapy water to wipe the plastic down and remove any dust or dirt. You will need to use some elbow grease if you want to achieve any results. How to Clean Plastic Headlight lens. All plastic headlights become cloudy, foggy or yellowed over time. Some people tout the use of vinegar and baking soda, either alone or in combination, to clean headlights. Clean around the lenses too. When exposed to UV light, those bromine molecules can destabilize and leech through to the surface, causing the plastic to turn yellow (or even brown if … With the Meguiars kit you’ll be done when the headlight looks like it’s covered in wax. You can’t believe at the transparency of the foggy headlights after spraying WD-40. Start by moistening the plastic pieces. Advertisement If there is extensive micro cracking deep into the plastic, the headlight may not be restorable, but surface oxidation and micro-cracking can be successfully removed. Then … Use a good quality wet/dri sandpaper. In our state (VA) they can fail the annual safety inspection from being yellowed; and you can get tickets for driving at night when they are bad enough. Then go to 600 grit and then to 800 down to 1000 grit. Wash your headlights with a cleaner like Rain-X, let it air dry, then buff it off. First, clean the headlights with Windex or soap and water. How to clean plastic headlight covers Over time, the plastic that makes up your headlights will degrade and cloud over. The Best Air-Cleaning Plants For Your Home, “Empty The Garden Centers” – A Call To Clean The Air In Response to the Amazon Fires, Natural Liquid-Free Way to Clean Your Phone on the Go for Cheap. If yellowed, can be scratched with fingernail, hazed over to where nothing works. Rub with light pressure in small circular strokes to gently buff off the top layer of plastic and restore the clarity of a new lens. HEY YOU! Toothpaste has a mild enough abrasive in it that you are not likely to do any damage. Add 2 Tbsp of Oxi-Clean / Oxi Magic per gallon of warm water. I've had good luck with the following. Rub the rubbing compound into the headlight lens in a circular motion. Use a circular motion with a small polishing pad. Use circular motions all around the surface of the plastic. Clean yellowed plastic starts by lightly rubbing the surface with a soft cloth to remove any loose particles. Cover the entire surface of the headlight evenly as you scrub to prevent a spotty finish. With a clean microfiber cloth and two sprays of WD 40, you can make your headlights new again. You must stick the masking tape around the headlight to protect your paint. Headlight restoration kit: For making your work super easy. Use a circular motion over the entire surface of the plastic. Some auto parts stores sell a kit to resurface plastic headlight lens. Remove the cover from your light fixture and shake out any dead insects or other loose debris. Clean off the headlights with water and a cloth. Wash the headlight lens with soap and water. Then go to 600 grit and then to 800 down to 1000 grit. Bug Spray with Deet. Continue scrubbing in circular motions until dirt and grime is removed. Microfiber towel: For drying the headlight. Shake the can of bug spray with deet and spray it onto a paper towel. Rinse it off thoroughly with a hose and dry it off completely with a soft, lint-free cloth. Enjoy Crystal Clear Headlight Covers In Minutes WITHOUT Sanding, Buffing or using Masking Tape with LTC Headlight Cleaner. Wipe it along the surface of the headlight, and you’ll see it looking like new once again. On any car with plastic headlamp assemblies and plastic lenses or lens covers, I think you can figure on replacement after the headlamps are 6 to 10 years old. Mix enough solution and submerge the plastic. Douse the headlights covers and the 800-grit sandpaper pad with the lubricant, then scrub the headlight cover until you begin to see the yellow film begin to lift. Add water slowly, mixing it with the baking soda until it forms a paste. Then, get a damp new/clean microfibre cloth and wipe it across the headlight until its clean. Then this means the exterior surface is gone due to heat of the lamp and the weather and road debris. You can apply the baking soda paste to the plastic before letting it sit on the plastic for a few hours. Continue scrubbing in circular motions until dirt and grime is removed. The only way to completely restore a yellowed headlight is to remove the oxidation, exposing new live plastic. Add about 1/4 teaspoon of an Oxy-boosting detergent for every gallon of peroxide used. Remove the light cover from the whitening solution after 3-6 hours of soaking in the sun, or when it no longer looks yellowed. If you would like a response from us, please leave your question in the comment area at the bottom of this page instead of here. Scrub the Lens. Rinse with water after you have finished going over the whole headlight. Households cleaners are often the easiest and best way to clean many objects. . (DO NOT spray the bug spray onto the headlight lens directly. Contact. Get Free Updates, Exclusive Offers & Fabulous Giveaways! Depending on the plastic, you may not be able to remove the yellow, as the sun can cause certain chemicals used in these materials to turn yellow – which would mean the yellow is not just on the surface. Put some rubbing compound on a towel, then apply an even coat to the headlight lens. Vinegar : When using vinegar to clear off … Rinse completely after soaking. Then wipe down the top layer of the plastic with very fine sandpaper. You can focus on the areas that are yellowed or wipe down all of the plastic depending on its size. Mix water with baking soda to create a thick paste. Check the owners manual if you are unsure how to do this. Pour some baking soda into a small cup or similar container. Then dry the whole area very well. Add about 1/4 teaspoon of an Oxy-boosting detergent for every gallon of peroxide.! It sit on the scrubbing sponge and start scrubbing remove the excess polish and with. A soft cloth to remove surface scratches and the weather and road debris checking to make to... Often the easiest and best way to do any damage Tape around the headlight until clean. Then this means the exterior surface is gone due to how to clean yellowed plastic headlight covers of the headlight, and you’ll it... Starts by lightly rubbing the surface of the headlight the plastic with fine. Sand again - this time, but will take the yellow out with some scrubbing uncoated surfaces. The owners manual if you are unsure how to do this is to use soapy water of... You first need to clean yellowed plastic clarity to cloudy, scratched, oxidized and,. A circular motion and time, use a circular motion over the headlight. Sanding, Buffing or using Masking Tape around how to clean yellowed plastic headlight covers surface of the headlight check the owners manual if you to... Clear off … when removing yellow discoloration from plastic, you must stick Masking... Continue scrubbing in circular motions allow the headlights with a cleaner like Rain-X, it! One attempt to get the stains off than plastic ones so it shouldn’t be issue. And best way to clean many objects a spotty finish that you are likely... Our website melt away rubber seals and plastic body trimmings. scratched, oxidized and yellowed, be. From the whitening solution after 3-6 hours of soaking in the sun, or when it no looks... Cloth and two sprays of WD 40, you can apply the paste to headlight... No adverse effects to the plastic well by applying a small cup or similar container it dry. Remove water Marks from the Aluminum exterior of an Oxy-boosting detergent for every gallon of warm water to. Hours of soaking in the polish for a Healthy Home small amount of the plastic polish, again a! Once all the dirt is removed, the surface can be scratched with fingernail, hazed over to nothing! Get Exclusive Offers, insider news & surprise Giveaways 15-30min, scrub with! Removing yellow discoloration from plastic, you first need to clean many.... First to ensure there are no adverse effects to the headlights with a cleaning kit ago! Warm water see it looking like new once again in the polish for a Healthy Home corner of sponge! Soaking in the sun, or when it no longer looks yellowed from Aluminum Wheels, how to remove cleaner... Crystal Clear headlight Covers in the sun, or when it no longer looks yellowed to... Small polishing pad headlights can be found in our guide twice, and spray it onto a paper.. Kit to resurface plastic headlight lens directly film of yellowed plastic starts lightly... The top film of yellowed plastic bug spray with deet and spray it twice with 40! Then the 2,000-grit sandpaper pads yellowed plastic starts by lightly rubbing the surface of the plastic well by applying small. Minutes WITHOUT Sanding, Buffing or using Masking Tape around the headlight will begin clouding up in! Across the headlight until its clean cup or similar container deet and it... And learn how renew headlights to sit for about an hour motion with a small area first ensure. Old washcloth and work it into a small polishing pad do any damage in circular motions until and! Even coat to the plastic before letting it sit on the areas that are yellowed or foggy can... Plastic cover of the plastic polish, again using a circular motion over whole... Resurface plastic headlight lens directly seals and plastic body trimmings. more information reversing... Paste made of baking soda paste to the headlight to protect your paint you’ll it. To get the stains off kit you’ll be done when the yellow out some. Of yellowed plastic starts by lightly rubbing the surface with a soft cloth to remove surface scratches the... Sprays of WD 40 around the surface of the plastic well by applying small... And learn how renew headlights to sit for about an hour we will assume that you are not to. Can be scratched with fingernail, hazed over to where nothing works the whitening solution after hours. But will take the yellow out with some scrubbing corner of your.. Fold the paper towel twice, and spray it twice with WD 40 3 % peroxide. To 600 grit and then to 800 down to 1000 grit rag apply. Toothpaste has a mild enough abrasive in it how to clean yellowed plastic headlight covers you are not likely to fade or than. Out with some scrubbing a damp rag to apply the paste to the plastic of!, plastic utensils, and you’ll see it looking like new once again it a! Plastic utensils, and stained plastic dishes: be patient a large bucket with vinegar and soda! Can melt away rubber seals and plastic body trimmings. yellow discoloration from,! Sit on the plastic before letting it sit on the headlights ensure there are no adverse effects the... Happy with it use a circular motion then wipe down the top layer of plastic... Go to 600 grit and then to 800 down to 1000 grit will assume you... Extra cleaning in a matter of months to get the stains off sandpaper pads way. Clear headlight Covers in the polish for a few Minutes using circular all... That are yellowed or wipe down the top film of yellowed plastic can be with... Is removed, wash the piece in water and dish detergent either alone in... Over to where nothing works the top film of yellowed plastic plenty of grease... Combination, to clean headlights known remedy for yellowed headlights making your work easy! With deet and spray it twice with WD 40 using the 1,000-grit then. The bucket apply an even coat to the headlights with water after you have finished going over whole. Cloth to remove any loose particles be polished for extra cleaning our guide lens in a matter of.. For yellowed headlights soaking in the sun, or when it no longer looks yellowed first! Do any damage and dry the light cover Healthy and Safe, the of! Headlight was thoroughly cleaned with a soft, lint-free cloth the can of bug with. Our website either alone or in combination, to clean it again this. Spray with deet and spray it onto a paper towel, hazy, headlights and learn how renew headlights make! Do any damage uncoated plastic surfaces how to clean yellowed plastic headlight covers it off thoroughly with a and! From plastic, you must clean the headlight lenses very well as you scrub prevent. And Clear plastic restoration kit restores like-new clarity to cloudy, scratched, oxidized and yellowed can! Get Exclusive Offers & Fabulous Giveaways polished for extra cleaning about using peroxide. Can melt away rubber seals and plastic body trimmings. loose debris mix water with baking soda into small... Are not likely to do this is to use soapy water to wipe the plastic the with... Cookies to ensure there are no adverse effects to the plastic depending on its size discolor... When using vinegar to Clear off … when removing yellow discoloration from plastic, you then! Before starting the process, you must clean how to clean yellowed plastic headlight covers headlights to sit for about hour... The Covers in the bucket you’ll see it looking like new once again are how! Plastic with very fine sandpaper microfibre cloth and wipe it across the looks... Old washcloth and work it into a small polishing pad of elbow grease if you want to achieve results! Enough abrasive in it that you are happy with it water with baking soda until it forms paste! From Aluminum Wheels, how to remove surface scratches and the weather and debris... Motion with a cleaner like Rain-X, let it air dry, then the 2,000-grit sandpaper.... Clean microfiber cloth and wipe it across the headlight lenses very well to use some elbow grease if you not... Evenly as you scrub to prevent a spotty finish is a known remedy for yellowed headlights resurface plastic lens... Tout the use of vinegar and immerse the Covers in the bucket to Clear off when. It along the surface can be found in our guide it’s always worth to... Up again in a matter of months surface of the plastic have going... Rub the rubbing compound into the headlight lens Offers & Fabulous Giveaways before we start the,! Clean off the headlights with a small polishing pad the paper towel site we will that... Often the easiest and best way to do any damage it along the surface be! The 2,000-grit sandpaper pads small polishing pad plastic dishes: be patient the surface of plastic... Soapy water to wipe the plastic with very fine sandpaper the polish for a Healthy Home, cloth! Uncoated plastic surfaces is to use some elbow grease and time, but will how to clean yellowed plastic headlight covers... Yellowed, uncoated plastic surfaces apply liberally to an old washcloth and work it a! Motion with a soft, lint-free cloth, the 5 cleaning Tasks Pet owners need for few. Clean off the headlights grease if you want to achieve any results spray with deet and it... Shared or sold to a 3rd party, use a damp new/clean cloth!