Should I use acetone to clean my headlights? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

HK726 · 08-11-2003, 06:13 PM

I've searched through google already but a good explanation is hard to find.

Has anyone done this before??

Tickford · 08-11-2003, 06:55 PM

Dude, dont use anything like that. Most cars these days have plastic lens on their headlights. I reckon the safe bet is warm water, with just a few bubbles.....

MSD · 08-12-2003, 07:48 PM

Acetone will melt plastic headlight covers. Don't ask how I know this.

shakran · 08-12-2003, 08:55 PM

you should never use it even if your headlights are glass. the bumper below it is plastic. One drop will melt the bumper and wreck its looks.

HK726 · 08-12-2003, 10:53 PM

Okay car+acetone= don't do it

Got it.

Thanks.

Cynthetiq · 08-13-2003, 06:44 AM

what's wrong with some soap and elbow grease?

FastShark85 · 08-13-2003, 07:50 AM

What are you trying to clean off of them?

Lestat · 08-13-2003, 10:01 AM

I got the same problem on my car (Acura Integra), the lens looks foggy. I used soap, water and a 3M washpad.

thadon · 08-13-2003, 10:08 AM

acetone bad, very bad

it would make your car look like my avitar

irseg · 08-13-2003, 10:27 AM

I used it (diluted, in nail polish remover form) to clean the cloudy yellow haze off my headlights. That was a major problem in 80s-90s Fords. It did the trick just fine and didn't hurt anything at all, but I've since found it's easier (and probably safer for the plastic) to use fine cut polishing compound or toothpaste and a coat of wax. That works wonders!

shakran · 08-13-2003, 09:03 PM

yeah, if your headlights look foggy it can be because either tiny pieces of grit have over the years pitted the glass and made it less clear or because water has gotten inside the headlight and is fogging up the inside.

toothpaste works wonders on the pitted headlight. Just enough polishing grit to polish the glass without scratching it.

If it's got condensation in it, the trick is to remove the headlight and dry it out with a hair dryer (set on no heat). Then get silicone caulk and re-seal all the seams in the headlight. Check the gasket in the headlamp holder as well. Reinstall and it shouldn't get water in there anymore.

Some guys also drop a silica packet (those "do not eat" packets you get in stereo boxes) in the headlamp. It absorbs the moisture and keeps it from fogging up.

impreza56 · 08-30-2003, 02:05 AM

yeah acetones probably not the go. try something a bit milder like some turps.

and shakran thats a good idea about the silicone packets, my lights have been fogging up latley....would never have thought of it

DEI37 · 08-30-2003, 06:31 AM

Actually, use glass cleaner. If that doesn't work, replace the headlamp assembly. I know that sounds rash, but if they've fogged up, or hazed over, it's because the seal between the lens and the housing isn't sealing properly and allowing moisture to get it. It's REALLY hard to fix that.

MSD · 08-31-2003, 10:18 PM

I'd like to mention that I'm going to kill my brother because acetone causes clearcoat to bubble. Youo'd think he would've gotten the point when Itold him to clean the superglue off of sutff ten feet away from the car.

08-11-2003, 06:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
HK726 Upright	Should I use acetone to clean my headlights? I've searched through google already but a good explanation is hard to find. Has anyone done this before??

08-11-2003, 06:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tickford Insane Location: Australia	Dude, dont use anything like that. Most cars these days have plastic lens on their headlights. I reckon the safe bet is warm water, with just a few bubbles..... __________________ Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist ought to have his head examined. Samuel Goldwyn

08-13-2003, 06:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	what's wrong with some soap and elbow grease? __________________ 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!

08-13-2003, 10:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
Lestat Psycho Location: Riverside, CA	I got the same problem on my car (Acura Integra), the lens looks foggy. I used soap, water and a 3M washpad. __________________ I hope life isn't a big joke, because I don't get it. - Jack Handy

08-30-2003, 06:31 AM	#13 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	Actually, use glass cleaner. If that doesn't work, replace the headlamp assembly. I know that sounds rash, but if they've fogged up, or hazed over, it's because the seal between the lens and the housing isn't sealing properly and allowing moisture to get it. It's REALLY hard to fix that. __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

08-12-2003, 07:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	Acetone will melt plastic headlight covers. Don't ask how I know this.

08-12-2003, 08:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	you should never use it even if your headlights are glass. the bumper below it is plastic. One drop will melt the bumper and wreck its looks.

08-12-2003, 10:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
HK726 Upright	Okay car+acetone= don't do it Got it. Thanks.

08-13-2003, 07:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
FastShark85 Psycho Location: In the garage, under the car.	What are you trying to clean off of them?

08-13-2003, 10:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
thadon Cruisin thru life Location: Alpharetta, GA	acetone bad, very bad it would make your car look like my avitar

08-13-2003, 10:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
irseg Junkie Location: Florida	I used it (diluted, in nail polish remover form) to clean the cloudy yellow haze off my headlights. That was a major problem in 80s-90s Fords. It did the trick just fine and didn't hurt anything at all, but I've since found it's easier (and probably safer for the plastic) to use fine cut polishing compound or toothpaste and a coat of wax. That works wonders!

08-13-2003, 09:03 PM	#11 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	yeah, if your headlights look foggy it can be because either tiny pieces of grit have over the years pitted the glass and made it less clear or because water has gotten inside the headlight and is fogging up the inside. toothpaste works wonders on the pitted headlight. Just enough polishing grit to polish the glass without scratching it. If it's got condensation in it, the trick is to remove the headlight and dry it out with a hair dryer (set on no heat). Then get silicone caulk and re-seal all the seams in the headlight. Check the gasket in the headlamp holder as well. Reinstall and it shouldn't get water in there anymore. Some guys also drop a silica packet (those "do not eat" packets you get in stereo boxes) in the headlamp. It absorbs the moisture and keeps it from fogging up.

08-30-2003, 02:05 AM	#12 (permalink)
impreza56 Upright	yeah acetones probably not the go. try something a bit milder like some turps. and shakran thats a good idea about the silicone packets, my lights have been fogging up latley....would never have thought of it

08-31-2003, 10:18 PM	#14 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	I'd like to mention that I'm going to kill my brother because acetone causes clearcoat to bubble. Youo'd think he would've gotten the point when Itold him to clean the superglue off of sutff ten feet away from the car.