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Topic: Re: Cleaning Headlights (Read 959 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Cleaning Headlights

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
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Re: Cleaning Headlights

Reply #1 –
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
'91 U240 GV / 36'
CAT 3208 w/Allison MT 643  4 speed
'10 Ford Flex

Growing old is mandatory
Growing up is optional

Re: Re: Cleaning Headlights

Reply #2 –
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!
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Cleaning Headlights

Reply #3 –
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
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Cleaning Headlights

Reply #4 –
Amazon.com: Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit: Automotive


ADVANCE AUTOMOTIVE ALSO CARRIES THIS
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: Re: Cleaning Headlights

Reply #5 –
Quote from: wa_desert_rat –
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.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Cleaning Headlights

Reply #6 –
try tooth paste
Mike
1990 GV 36'

Re: Cleaning Headlights

Reply #7 –
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
Andrew Buras
Full Timing Since July 2007
1995 U-300 Lived in it for 14 years and now back in it.
Build #4627
Towing 2015 Ford Flex
Still on the road

Re: Cleaning Headlights

Reply #8 –
As a touch up I use deep woods off and a cotton rag. Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: Re: Cleaning Headlights

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Kent Speers –
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
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Re: Cleaning Headlights

Reply #10 –
Quote from: wa_desert_rat –
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......
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Re: Cleaning Headlights

Reply #11 –
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"
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT
 

Re: Cleaning Headlights

Reply #12 –
Well, the way I see it my hid lights have an auto leveling system by hwh.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS