[Blue Vulcan]

I read a while back in a thread that you can use brake fluid on your headlight lenses to get them clear. I had used some Mother's polish and a buffer a while back after sanding them with fine grit sandpaper and never did get all the scratches out. They work much better and are way more clear than they were when they were oxidized, but they still have scratches. Do I need to brake out the buffer and use some polish again or will brake fluid take these scratches out too? I don't want to rub it in too much and mess up the lenses...if that's possible.

 

[TrueBlue]

I'd use 1200 grit or a medium rubbing compound before I use brake fluid. The heat caused by rubbing brake fluid over plastic lenses may craze, fog, or mar them.

 

[pimpin90GL]

my friend had some badly yellowed lights, he went down to rs straus and picked up a bottle of blue magic. it cleans and polishes up the plastic. his lights went from yellow to crystal clear with 2 applications, and i think it won't do any damage if you get it on the paint, he did and there was no damage, but i'd say be careful. but i would sugest it. it's about 5 bucks for a bottle i think...

 

[silvapain]

where did he get it? rs straus? never heard of it.

 

[pimpin90GL]

rs strauss is an auto parts place, i know of two in jersey, not sure if they have them anywhere else, but you should be able to pick it up at pep boys or anywhere else, or check www.bluemagic.com and find a dealer nearby. it came in a little bottle, and is almost like a wax.

 

[RAMdrd]

The headlight lenses are plastic and many of them were/are Lexan. They do not oxidize. It's not the plastic combining with oxygen that is obscuring the beam. Windows made of Lexan do not show the same rough finish that car headlight lenses develop.

It's road dirt damaging the plastic. That's why a simple polish won't remove the "haze". There are commercial polishing compounds that will buff out the scratched surface of plastic lenses. A detailing shop should be able to provide the information.

A body shop might also, but it's faster for them to replace rather than refurbish.

 

[DormantTaurus]

ZIPPO lighter fluid worked great on my girlfriends 94 altima lights were real yellow and now are extremely clear

 

[silvapain]

Originally posted by DormantTaurus@Apr 11 2004, 11:32 AM
ZIPPO lighter fluid worked great on my girlfriends 94 altima lights were real yellow and now are extremely clear

..yeah, and if the bulbs ever burn out, you can just set the lenses on fire to light the way.

 

[firespirit]

I'd say replacing them would be cheaper in the long run - You'd be happier with them replaced. The headlights and fog lights are yellowed in the intrepid - the fog lights are now replaced and it's a world of difference. Next the headlights will be replaced.

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[Racer X]

Originally posted by pimpin90GL@Mar 15 2004, 02:24 PM
my friend had some badly yellowed lights, he went down to rs straus and picked up a bottle of blue magic. it cleans and polishes up the plastic. his lights went from yellow to crystal clear with 2 applications, and i think it won't do any damage if you get it on the paint, he did and there was no damage, but i'd say be careful. but i would sugest it. it's about 5 bucks for a bottle i think...

Used that on my headlights and taillights, and my instrument cluster. Holy

did it make a difference! My cluster looks brand new now! And the headlight lenses aren't as yellow as the first application! I think two more shoud do the trick.

But yeah... BlueMagic Plastic Cleaner is the

 

[Blue Vulcan]

Well I tried the brake fluid and it didn't do all that great...not as expected anyway. I'll try the Blue Magic next then. Thanks guys.

 

[Scatman]

I had a detail shop do mine they got them clean somewhat but there is like a crusty substance all over them that is gritty i am able to scrap it off with a razor blade but that scares me. will this blue magic stuff work on them?

 

[SHOoff]

I went to the website, but which product did you guys use. I got a crystal clear headlight from a salvage yard(Right Side) but my left is yellowed...looks like SH*T

 

[RAMdrd]

That crusty residue on your headlights was some grade of rubbing/polishing compound, which is probably what that Blue Magic is. It may also contain a solvent that aids in the polishing.

That's why brake fluid and lighter fluid have some affect, but some solvents can make plastics very brittle. If possible, look to make sure your weapon of choice doesn't contain petroleum products.

 

[DormantTaurus]

zippo fluid wipe on wipe off BAMMMM Clear lights, SIMPLE, CHEAP, EASY HOW I LIKE 'EM, I MEAN IT!

 

[pimpin90GL]

blue magic is not a polishing compound, it's completely non abrasive. solvent, maybe, but it makes the lights look real nice.


racer x knows where it's at...

 

[hitman]

Or you could try Plexus. Cops use it for clearing up the lightbars on their cruisers.

 

[silvapain]

Found that blue magic stuff at Autozone. Works awesome!!! The headlights on my wife's 95 neon were a light orange color (youv'e all seen what the neon headlights can look like). Polished them with blue magic, and I found out that there is a reflector inside the headlights!!!!!!

 

[pimpin90GL]

told ya it's good stuff