Headlights - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Lucifer · 04-06-2006, 04:56 AM

My Jeep Grand Cherokee's headlights are dim. I've replaced the bulbs with halogens, so it's not that. The plastic (glass?) of the headlight is scuffed and scratched after 12 years of driving. I've read somewhere on the net that some one with a similar problem used 2000 and 3000 grit wet sandpaper to get rid of the scuffs and scratches and get the headlight back to clear. Does this sound doable or would it just make it worse?

Cynthetiq · 04-06-2006, 05:30 AM

i recall someone here on TFP polishing their lenses back to clarity... don't recall who, but look through the old posts

BadNick · 04-06-2006, 06:27 AM

While not for a Jeep, this might give you some good ideas on what needs to be done: http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/headlights/index.html

In the Supra world where I usually spend too much time, polishing the old yellowed and dulled plastic headlight covers is a common and well developed technique to make them clear again. I saved my original plastic ones in case some day I have nothing better to do I'll try to polish them, but I haven't tried it yet since I just bought the glass covers that were sold on European Supras and they are as clear as ...glass.

Anexkahn · 04-06-2006, 05:48 PM

i run into a similar problem with the plastic lenses on patrol car lightbars. They sort of yellow and turn themselves opaque after a few years.

I use a cleaner made by novus to get rid of the 'foggyness' that develops over time. I get it from our emergency lighting supplier but you could probably find it, or something similar, at auto stores or online. Possibly look in the boating section because its recommended for marine and RV plastics primarily.

I've also heard the sandpaper method, but never tried it. I'll give it a try tomorrow since i have an old bar in the shop right now.

cyrnel · 04-06-2006, 06:49 PM

I'll second Novus polish but you need a motorized wheel of some sort. It's painful done by hand. There isn't enough room to work, and that's after you separate the housing. Same problem with sandpaper.

New aftermarket (still plastic) housings aren't too expensive on ebay.

You can also buy glass housings with much better optics but they aren't cheap. Not in the US anyway. Euro spec GCs had them stock. I knew someone a few years ago who priced them as service parts in Germany and it was considerably cheaper. So if you have buds on that side of the pond...

BadNick · 04-07-2006, 05:30 AM

use one of those Mother's Powerball polishers in an electric drill. I have not found them stong enough to polish some metal parts but on plastic I think they'd work great.

imouseone · 04-10-2006, 11:05 AM

I've used Plastix by Meguiar's and it works great. Here's their thread from their forum: http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/sho...hlight=plastix

gal · 04-10-2006, 04:38 PM

I have the same thing going on, but I have glass. I changed to more powerful halogens, but it didn't help much. The reflectors are somewhat matte, so I suspect it's that.

ncgti · 04-11-2006, 10:51 AM

You could try removing the headlights and swishing around a warm/hot vinegar solution to clean off the crud on the reflectors. I did it on my headlights and it cleaned them up very well.

If it can work on a coffeemaker to clean off deposits, it can work on your headlights. You could also try and find a vinegar-based glass cleaner - I think Windex makes one.

Scorps · 04-15-2006, 10:20 PM

Flitz it......like the commerical

04-06-2006, 04:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lucifer Husband of Seamaiden Location: Nova Scotia	Headlights My Jeep Grand Cherokee's headlights are dim. I've replaced the bulbs with halogens, so it's not that. The plastic (glass?) of the headlight is scuffed and scratched after 12 years of driving. I've read somewhere on the net that some one with a similar problem used 2000 and 3000 grit wet sandpaper to get rid of the scuffs and scratches and get the headlight back to clear. Does this sound doable or would it just make it worse? __________________ I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls. - Job 30:29 1123, 6536, 5321

04-06-2006, 05:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	i recall someone here on TFP polishing their lenses back to clarity... don't recall who, but look through the old posts __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

04-06-2006, 06:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	I'll second Novus polish but you need a motorized wheel of some sort. It's painful done by hand. There isn't enough room to work, and that's after you separate the housing. Same problem with sandpaper. New aftermarket (still plastic) housings aren't too expensive on ebay. You can also buy glass housings with much better optics but they aren't cheap. Not in the US anyway. Euro spec GCs had them stock. I knew someone a few years ago who priced them as service parts in Germany and it was considerably cheaper. So if you have buds on that side of the pond... __________________ There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195

04-06-2006, 06:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
BadNick Riding the Ocean Spray Location: S.E. PA in U Sofa	While not for a Jeep, this might give you some good ideas on what needs to be done: http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/headlights/index.html In the Supra world where I usually spend too much time, polishing the old yellowed and dulled plastic headlight covers is a common and well developed technique to make them clear again. I saved my original plastic ones in case some day I have nothing better to do I'll try to polish them, but I haven't tried it yet since I just bought the glass covers that were sold on European Supras and they are as clear as ...glass.

04-06-2006, 05:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
Anexkahn Crazy Location: whOregon	i run into a similar problem with the plastic lenses on patrol car lightbars. They sort of yellow and turn themselves opaque after a few years. I use a cleaner made by novus to get rid of the 'foggyness' that develops over time. I get it from our emergency lighting supplier but you could probably find it, or something similar, at auto stores or online. Possibly look in the boating section because its recommended for marine and RV plastics primarily. I've also heard the sandpaper method, but never tried it. I'll give it a try tomorrow since i have an old bar in the shop right now.

04-07-2006, 05:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
BadNick Riding the Ocean Spray Location: S.E. PA in U Sofa	use one of those Mother's Powerball polishers in an electric drill. I have not found them stong enough to polish some metal parts but on plastic I think they'd work great.

04-10-2006, 11:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
imouseone Tilted Location: NY	I've used Plastix by Meguiar's and it works great. Here's their thread from their forum: http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/sho...hlight=plastix

04-10-2006, 04:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
gal Insane	I have the same thing going on, but I have glass. I changed to more powerful halogens, but it didn't help much. The reflectors are somewhat matte, so I suspect it's that.

04-11-2006, 10:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
ncgti Tilted Location: the great north state	You could try removing the headlights and swishing around a warm/hot vinegar solution to clean off the crud on the reflectors. I did it on my headlights and it cleaned them up very well. If it can work on a coffeemaker to clean off deposits, it can work on your headlights. You could also try and find a vinegar-based glass cleaner - I think Windex makes one.

04-15-2006, 10:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Scorps Lost!! Location: Kingston, Ontario	Flitz it......like the commerical