"Hazey" Headlamps - A remedy?

Hi guys/gals, a quick question.
 
Living in Florida, most cars down here tend to develop a fog (or hazey buildup) on the headlamps.  Seems to be worse here than other parts of the country.  I'm close to the coast here, and I've been told that it's the brine (salt) in our air combined with the always-bright sun and sand on the road that cause it to be worse here.
 
Anyway, ....anyone know of a good system to remove the haze?  I bought one of those hand-buff (wax-on wax-off) kits at the autoparts store, but it was crap (but it DID work great for removing bugs from the front bumper!) 
 
Suggestions? Anyone with similar experience that had success getting off the haze?  

I have the same issue with my headlights. It looks like they were sand blasted! I bought some lens polishing compound but haven't really had a chance to use it yet.

Not sure where you are, BadMojo, but maybe it's not just a Florida thing?
 
Let us know if the compound works for you. I got this flyer that someone left under
my wipers one day for "Headlight Restoration" , but they charge over $100 bucks, so I'm seeing
if there's another option.
 
 

 
 

 
Hey tallblondeguy / Badmojo.........there is a cracking article on the subject ( link posted below )
Ok.......so its from an Audi forum that I'm a member of, but, a headlight is a headlight as far as cleanings concerned, right?
Hope it helps
 
Jim
 
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/ext68.shtml

I live in Chicago and my car was leased in the same area before I bought it. I think it might be due to alot of highway driving by the previous owner. I will let you know how this stuff works. I think the key is that you need to use an orbital type buffer with the compound. Just doing it by hand doesn't work too well.

JimC64, perfect !!   I'll try it this weekend or next and let you guys know if it works, or if I screwed up so badly that I need new headlamps! 
 
If anyone sees me cruising around Ft.Lauderdale with a flashlight tied to my hood ornament, you know for sure that I f***ed up !  lol.
 
Thanks Jim.

 
No probs tallblondeguy ( we really need to give you a nickname i think.....your names wayyyyyyyy too long....lol)
 
Hope it helps and look forward to hearing how you got on.
 
Jim

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimC64



No probs tallblondeguy ( we really need to give you a nickname i think.....your names wayyyyyyyy too long....lol)

Hope it helps and look forward to hearing how you got on.

Jim

 
 
"TBG"? 

 
PMSL.......Thats exactly what I was thinkin...and what I will be calling you from now on in any posts. TBG it is!!!
I just get Jim or JC
 
Jim

Nice detailed article, Thanks! I am a tool maker and can polish a piece of rough steel to look like chrome and have also done some plastic but never a headlight lens.

 
Np Badmojo
 
Jim

Well...I'm big or biggie, so he can be tall or tallie!

I dont think its just a Florida thing for the haze...some car washes or dealers offer this restoration a lot cheaper... i think ive seen it for about $30 for both before max...ive heard some lenses are coated while others are not...i have some slight haze at the top of two of my lights the dealer said I could easily compound out with a random orbital...hope this helps

some brake fluid on a rag will help........it wont be as clear as new but it well be alot better than what it probably is now

quote:

ORIGINAL: secondtonone317

some brake fluid on a rag will help........it wont be as clear as new but it well be alot better than what it probably is now

 
Thanks 2nd2-none, but I tried that one too...didn't work either, ...so I'll try the wet sand method, ...sounds like a ton of work, but I don' t see the sense in detailing again until my headlamps look better.     

quote:

ORIGINAL: bmw745ion19s

I dont think its just a Florida thing for the haze...some car washes or dealers offer this restoration a lot cheaper... i think ive seen it for about $30 for both before max...ive heard some lenses are coated while others are not...i have some slight haze at the top of two of my lights the dealer said I could easily compound out with a random orbital...hope this helps

 
Hi BMW745...... I'll look around, but I'm sure I'll end up trying the wetsand process myself.  Mine started like yours (just haze at the top)--- then within a year was totally hazed over, even the fog-lamps...makes the whole car look like crap.      

no problem, def let us know how it turns out! prayerfully i wont have to worry though...wishful thinking! 

I don’t recall the name of the product, other that in was in a blue plastic bottle. I purchased it from autozone, it was about $7. It was for a friend, her lights were really yellow/hazy. I used a generous amount of the stuff on each headlight and basically used a lot of elbow grease to scrub off the haze. I repeated the process on each headlight, which took me about ½ an hour. She was surprised when she saw the difference the product made. Remember I did all this by hand no buffer or polisher, just a lot of sweat. I don’t even think that I used half the bottle.  

quote:

ORIGINAL: bmw745ion19s

no problem, def let us know how it turns out! prayerfully i wont have to worry though...wishful thinking! 

 
I'll keep you posted on the wet-sanding process.  Maybe I should take pics?
Thanks for all the advice !  :)    

 
Hey there TBG.........just a thought.
Before you try the wet sand method, which does a fantastic job, but is a ton of work.
Why not try some good ole fashioned elbow grease with T Cut. If it don't work you have nuthin to lose other than a few $ to buy the product?
Just a thought mate
 
Jim

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimC64



Hey there TBG.........just a thought.
Before you try the wet sand method, which does a fantastic job, but is a ton of work.
Why not try some good ole fashioned elbow grease with T Cut. If it don't work you have nuthin to lose other than a few $ to buy the product?
Just a thought mate

Jim

 
Jim, Yeah, but, I can try it, but what is T Cut? Is that the brand name?
Any more info?
 
TBG
 

So, I thought I'd try out the process. $15 at Advance Auto Parts and about 30 minutes to an hour of work!  Much better lighting at night, and the end result isn't GREAT, but it's MUCH better than before!  She's always been a beaut, but now she screams it!
BEFORE


DURING


AFTER

 
Brilliant!....Good job Biggie
Now lets see how the other guys get on with the same process?
Some more follow up shots before / during / after from TBG and others would be good too.
I'm thinking as a few members have asked this question I will repost with just the link, lock and FAQ.
 
Jim

bigdreams, that looks awesome!!....i'll try it as soon as i can.. i'll keep you guys posted.

Thanks for the compliments gents!  BTW, the pics don't give em justice!  Much nicer in person!  The light output has changed immensely, but...I still want brighter lights!  HID's might be the next step after I complete my current big project with the 240sx!