Cloudy or Fogged Headlight Lenses? QUICK FIX!

[W4LTD]

About 6 months ago, I hired someone to buff-out the the headlight lenses on my 2001 Mercury Sable (at 130K miles) and he did a less than perfect job, claiming it was the best he could get them; yet they were still somewhat "cloudy". So after paying him $45.00 for his work, I just took it as acceptable.

Two weeks ago, I was adding automatic transmission fluid (ATF - Mercon V) to the dipstick, and yes, I finally realized I had to have the car running after spilling almost a quart on the driveway. =)

After I brought the level up to par and closed the hood, I noticed I dripped some ATF onto my driver's side headlamp lens, so I wiped it off with a paper towel. To my surprise, the area I wipe and the residue on the towel, left the headlamp almost clear! I thought of this as a fluke and assumed it would regain its cloudiness once it "dried" and went into my house for the evening.

Being a former firefighter (FDNY, 1989-2006) I knew some of the chemistry regarding hydraulic fluid, also known as auto transmission fluid or ATF. I knew it was highly corrosive yet safe enough to remain on skin for a short time. So the next morning I went outside to check the headlamp lens and it was still "clear" in the area that I wiped. So I went and got some more ATF and a new paper towel, then poured a little ATF on it. I proceeded to completely wipe down both headlamp lenses with this "magic potion" and hoped for the best -- after all, most places charge between $40 and $60 for this headlamp "restoration service"!

The next morning I checked both of them and I could clearly see the reflectors behind the bulbs with almost zero "cloudiness" or "haze". I thought, OK, let me wash the car and then see if they're still clear. So I washed the car with a light Dawn dish detergent mixture and then completely dried it.

After a full week, as of right now, they are still almost clear as new.

I cannot guarantee this will work for others, but I thought it would be a good idea to share this cost-saving tip...

Enjoy,

Rich

Please let me know of any success stories regarding this method: rich@nyc.com

[a_d_a_m]

I'll wait 'til a few more folks do this before I give it a shot! :D

[Pat]

I wonder if any brand of ATF will work?

What, I wonder, in the ATF formula, is the chemical actually doing the cleaning or is it a compounding of chemicals?

I have some Castrol ATF at home from a previously owned vehicle. I try it on a test beater.

Thanks for the info.

Regards,

[ctrlraven]

Never wash a car with dish detergent! lol

You wouldn't use car wash to wash your dishes would you?

Give it time and you'll see haze again. The key to restoring headlight lens are using the properly grit in stages and then once done sealing the headlight with UV protective clearcoat.

[W4LTD]

Give it time and you'll see haze again. The key to restoring headlight lens are using the properly grit in stages and then once done sealing the headlight with UV protective clearcoat.

Yes, you are correct, but for a quick fix, this really did the job. Even the "professional" sanding/polishing method did not produce as good results; and I was advised to periodically re-coat them with a polymer sealant.

I just went out to check them, in the sunlight, and they actually look like new. I was going to replace them both anyway (at about $300+ for a new pair of OEM lenses) so even if this only lasts a couple of weeks at a time, it's well worth the effort for the money savings alone.

I am not trying to "sell" anything here, nor do I own stock in the hydraulic fluid processing industry, I am solely distributing my results to fellow car enthusiasts.

[CBT]

Yes, you are correct, but for a quick fix, this really did the job. Even the "professional" sanding/polishing method did not produce as good results; and I was advised to periodically re-coat them with a polymer sealant.

I just went out to check them, in the sunlight, and they actually look like new. I was going to replace them both anyway (at about $300+ for a new pair of OEM lenses) so even if this only lasts a couple of weeks at a time, it's well worth the effort for the money savings alone.

I am not trying to "sell" anything here, nor do I own stock in the hydraulic fluid processing industry, I am solely distributing my results to fellow car enthusiasts.

Why not? New vendor! :lol:

[Rockettman]

Thanks for the tip. I'll try it on the girlfriend's piece-of-crap-Stratus. Those are so yellow, can't even get light out of them.

[Marauderman]

Yes, you are correct, but for a quick fix, this really did the job. Even the "professional" sanding/polishing method did not produce as good results; and I was advised to periodically re-coat them with a polymer sealant.

I just went out to check them, in the sunlight, and they actually look like new. I was going to replace them both anyway (at about $300+ for a new pair of OEM lenses) so even if this only lasts a couple of weeks at a time, it's well worth the effort for the money savings alone.

I am not trying to "sell" anything here, nor do I own stock in the hydraulic fluid processing industry, I am solely distributing my results to fellow car enthusiasts.

Thanks for the helpful tip for those that need a quick fix.

Thats what makes this car forum so nice --folks with helpful bits of info--that the way it was when the site started out--so again, thanks for pointing our something that maybe some can use ---even thought we all know it may not be the lasting method per sa.

[Blk Mamba]

Never wash a car with dish detergent! lol

You wouldn't use car wash to wash your dishes would you?

Give it time and you'll see haze again. The key to restoring headlight lens are using the properly grit in stages and then once done sealing the headlight with UV protective clearcoat.


I always use Dawn dish washing detergent to wash the car when I want to remove the build up of wax, bugs, & bird droppings, car wash does not remove it as easily, probably the ammonia in the detergent, BTW, in the eighties car washes recommended kerosene to clean the exterior of cars, because it removed things car wash wouldn't, and wasn't harmful to the paint.

[ctrlraven]

I always use Dawn dish washing detergent to wash the car when I want to remove the build up of wax, bugs, & bird droppings, car wash does not remove it as easily, probably the ammonia in the detergent, BTW, in the eighties car washes recommended kerosene to clean the exterior of cars, because it removed things car wash wouldn't, and wasn't harmful to the paint.
Wash the car with a quality car shampoo then use a clay bar or rubbing compound to remove stubborn stuff.

[Dragcity]

Yub. Dawn, and all dish and clothes soaps, will indeed remove your wax. Does a great job cleaning, but not a good idea.

When I was young, i used dish soap all the time, and wondered why I could never keep wax on my car. DUH.

McGuires Gold is my favorite now.

[TJCOX]

I discovered gasoline works as well. After cleaning the lens I apply a coat of wax and the lens stay clear for several months.

[MM2004]

Gonna try this on my beater '99 Taurus.

Lenses are yellow as hell, and even if temporary, I'm all for it.

Car has cost me enough in the past month, and don't want to spend additional money on it unless necessary.

Mike.

[SC Cheesehead]

Gonna try this on my beater '99 Taurus.

Lenses are yellow as hell, and even if temporary, I'm all for it.

Car has cost me enough in the past month, and don't want to spend additional money on it unless necessary.

Mike.

Yeah, but if you didn't spend it on your car, where else would you blow it?

Come to think of it, you're just a stone's throw from Loretto, aren't you? ;)

[snigalfriz]

I wet sanded my lenses with 1000, 1500, then 2000. I followed that by polishing them with Meguiar's PlastX clear plastic polish on a polishing pad on my cordless drill. That was several months ago, and they are still clear. I took about 40 mins per light, but it was well worth it. (http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=C_wQ27o8CTZTOMYS3gweHrs2ADp OMx-EB09Lm3BzDtOr9UggCEAHIAQeqBAxP 0Acsi1k_aMQ-mdzABQU&sig=AGiWqtw9yO10TW8wFJbgQI8eRK lZElGezA&adurl=http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AY3SR/ref%3Dasc_df_B0000AY3SR1351026 %3Fsmid%3DATVPDKIKX0DER%26tag% 3Dhyprod-20%26linkCode%3Dasn%26creative %3D395093%26creativeASIN%3DB00 00AY3SR&rct=j&q=meguiars%20plastic%20polish&cad=rja)

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

Our 1999 sable has the same condition (74,000 miles).
I will try this.

Thanks.

[ctrlraven]

I wet sanded my lenses with 1000, 1500, then 2000. I followed that by polishing them with Meguiar's PlastX clear plastic polish on a polishing pad on my cordless drill. That was several months ago, and they are still clear. I took about 40 mins per light, but it was well worth it.
Yep that would be the correct way of doing it and even taking it to 2500 and 3000 grit to really fine out the lens. A good coat of after the polishing and it's set.

[yoshahito]

I got one of those "magic headlight" kits -- sandpaper and sealant -- as my headlight covers were foggy. I wet-sanded them manually for quite a while, but when I dried them off, it didn't seem to make any difference. I was thinking maybe just buy some new ones, but then read this thread.

I didn't have any transmission fluid on hand, so I pulled out the dipstick and wiped a little from it on a paper towel, and then rubbed it on the corner of one of the headlight covers to test it.

Ka-boom, instant clarity.

I had to "steal" a bit more fluid by dipping the stick back in about 3 more times to finish the job. A little bit was all that was needed, rubbing it in. I let them dry and then applied the sealant that came with the kit I got. They look brand new now.

Thanks to the OP of this thread for the great tip!

[GreekGod]

"Being a former firefighter (FDNY, 1989-2006) I knew some of the chemistry regarding hydraulic fluid, also known as auto transmission fluid or ATF. I knew it was highly corrosive yet safe enough to remain on skin for a short time."

I worked in a Ford garage for 8 years, and the auto transmission men, and many mechanics used ATF to clean their hands when they got extra dirty. Worked better than Gojo, and didn't dry out the skin.

I polished out my original yellowed headlight lenses with Simichrome polish and my bare fingers. Spent about 5 minutes on each one, 2 months ago, and they are both still crystal clear. We don't need no stinking $20 kits, or sandpaper, or a drill/polisher.
re:
http://www.newmantools.com/simi.htm

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[TJCOX]

Gasoline also will work . Wax after.

[WhatsUpDOHC]

No smoking.

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[Vortech347]

I'm going to work on mine hopefully this weekend. They look aweful. A friend of mine is really good doing these. He said 1k grit, 2k grit, then 3k, grit and 3 different compounds and they'll look brand new.

[GreekGod]

I'm going to work on mine hopefully this weekend. They look aweful. A friend of mine is really good doing these. He said 1k grit, 2k grit, then 3k, grit and 3 different compounds and they'll look brand new.

Why? 10 minutes with your fingers and some metal polish did it for me, and they are still clear, without even using wax on them? Why not try the ATF fix?

=========

[Vortech347]

Why? 10 minutes with your fingers and some metal polish did it for me, and they are still clear, without even using wax on them? Why not try the ATF fix?

=========

Its going to take a lot more than a few fluids to fix these babies. Meguires Ultimate compound with a rotary didn't touch how bad they look.

[GreekGod]

Its going to take a lot more than a few fluids to fix these babies. Meguires Ultimate compound with a rotary didn't touch how bad they look.
10 minutes with my fingers and some metal polish did it for me.

[LUCKY GENE]

but my lenses are also foggy on the inside.. any good vendor to purchase new ones? thanks drive safe