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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: wa_desert_rat on March 10, 2012, 09:18:21 pm

Title: Re: Cleaning Headlights
Post by: wa_desert_rat on March 10, 2012, 09:18:21 pm
My headlights are pretty cloudy... I'll try to polish them up (but I have not had much luck with other vehicles) before I buy new ones.

I discovered that O'Reilly Auto Parts is all over the USA. If they start stocking plug-in replacements for incandescent lights it will certainly simplify the conversion process.

Craig
Title: Re: Re: Cleaning Headlights
Post by: Jerryetc on March 11, 2012, 11:13:01 am
I had good luck with a kit I bought at a flea market in Daytona. Still took about an hour per headlight, not 10 minutes as they advertise on TV. The secret is the sanding of the lenses with two different fine grit paper. The polish is the last step and does little towards removing the cloudiness.

Jerry
Title: Re: Re: Cleaning Headlights
Post by: PatC on March 11, 2012, 12:00:16 pm
The Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit was winner of the 2010 Editor's Choice Award from Popular Mechanics Magazine.  It was granted the place of winner because it restores the lens to like-new clarity and protection using Sylvania's proprietary UV Block Clear Coating.  The UV Block Clear Coating is said to make the restoration last longer than other kits on the market. 

When you restore a plastic lens, you remove the UV protection.  That UV protection is what keeps it from discoloring.  If you don't put some type of protection back on the lens, it will discolor much faster than before.  Now if you do use one of the other kits, continuous liberal applications of Aerospace 303 Protectant might be the answer to making the restoration last!
Title: Re: Cleaning Headlights
Post by: wa_desert_rat on March 11, 2012, 09:43:44 pm
I'm willing to try the Sylvania product. The last product did have what they said was a UV blocker but the headlights fogged up again anyway.

I wish finding 303 were easier... no sign of it at WM or any local stores. Last place I found it was a kayak supply outfit (NRS in Moscow, Idaho).

Craig
Title: Re: Cleaning Headlights
Post by: jeff on March 11, 2012, 10:03:15 pm
Amazon.com: Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit: Automotive (http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-38771-Headlight-Restoration-Kit/dp/B00429NKWK)


ADVANCE AUTOMOTIVE ALSO CARRIES THIS
Title: Re: Re: Cleaning Headlights
Post by: Kent Speers on March 12, 2012, 11:38:01 am
I'm willing to try the Sylvania product. The last product did have what they said was a UV blocker but the headlights fogged up again anyway.

I wish finding 303 were easier... no sign of it at WM or any local stores. Last place I found it was a kayak supply outfit (NRS in Moscow, Idaho).

Craig

The last time I checked, Camping World carried it in up to 1 gallon sizes. Personally, I wasn't too impressed with its UV protection based on past use.
Title: Re: Cleaning Headlights
Post by: Mike on March 12, 2012, 11:03:19 pm
try tooth paste
Title: Re: Cleaning Headlights
Post by: Modern Day Jipzee on March 13, 2012, 10:23:56 am
What worked for me,,,, Turtle Wax has an inexpensive kit to restore the lens, Wal-Mart or O'Reilys. has it.
What I did to make it easier  was cut off the little nubs on the lens to make sanding and polishing  easier.
the kit now comes with a UV protectant, FYI It is not a permanent fix I spend an hour once or twice a year to keep em looking clear.
Good Luck
Title: Re: Cleaning Headlights
Post by: gam on March 13, 2012, 01:16:03 pm
As a touch up I use deep woods off and a cotton rag. Gam
Title: Re: Re: Cleaning Headlights
Post by: wa_desert_rat on March 13, 2012, 02:32:56 pm
The last time I checked, Camping World carried it in up to 1 gallon sizes. Personally, I wasn't too impressed with its UV protection based on past use.

The continued protection problem seems pretty common. Once they start to fog up you have to keep putting on UV protection after cleaning them; or re-clean them periodically. Or both.

I'd rather go back to glass, personally.

Craig
Title: Re: Re: Cleaning Headlights
Post by: PatC on March 13, 2012, 03:46:44 pm
The continued protection problem seems pretty common. Once they start to fog up you have to keep putting on UV protection after cleaning them; or re-clean them periodically. Or both.

I'd rather go back to glass, personally.

Craig
I really like the Hella E-codes on my VW Jetta.  Now if I could figure a way to......
Title: Re: Re: Cleaning Headlights
Post by: Dave Head on March 13, 2012, 04:02:58 pm
I had the Hella HIDs on my 04 with the electric motors. They rocked! I currently have custom fitted Bi-Xenon HID projectors in the 07 Tahoe plus the original high beams. (I think the Jetta HIDs worked better). I rarely need to hit the high beams, but when I do its somewhat like the scene in "Christmas Vacation"
Title: Re: Cleaning Headlights
Post by: Chuck Pearson on March 13, 2012, 09:41:34 pm
Well, the way I see it my hid lights have an auto leveling system by hwh.