How did you guys deal with the loss of gloss from the weather? Anyone do something creative about this problem?

Theres several restoration kits available out there, some better than others. But they honestly dont do what they claim, and they tend to haze back over quicker once theyre sanded down. Unfortunately the best solution is replacements. Theyre pricey, but you wont have to worry about it for another 10+ years (assuming your on the original head lights)

once you 'restore' them, they definitely haze back at a more rapid rate. I do restore mine about once a year, then wax the crap out of them.. this tends to make them stay clear a little longer, waxing them several times a year.

before

after

Used the 3M kit, and honestly, even though it does a great job, I wonder if my time, took about an hour each one, plus the cost of the kit is really worth it?? New aftermarket lenses are pretty reasonable.

Deer strike took em out long before they started to haze again...:banghead:

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once you 'restore' them, they definitely haze back at a more rapid rate. I do restore mine about once a year, then wax the crap out of them.. this tends to make them stay clear a little longer, waxing them several times a year.

I noticed too, the protective 'film' is removed during restoration.. I wonder if a 'clear coat' would help?

it's quite possible it would.I now use just the foamy attachment with the kit and "3M Finishing Material" liquid for body shops. It take like 5 minutes for re-do's.. It's about $20 from a body shop supplier and lasts forever. It's awesome for taking off oxidation from paint prior to a good spring waxing.

I have been told by several people that the best way to prevent them from fogging up again after cleaning is to put a coat of polyurethane on them. I replaced mine with a set from LMC instead.

I kid you not, Colgate or Crest toothpaste and some arm power, or a buffer would be better. Got mine back around pretty decent

I kid you not, Colgate or Crest toothpaste and some arm power, or a buffer would be better. Got mine back around pretty decent

Cool! Thanks to all for other ideas too.

The best method I have found takes 30 minutes or less. 1000 grit, 1500 grit, 2000 grit wet sanding. $10 bucks for three packs at Wally World, gives you enough to do 5 or more sets of headlights.

I kid you not, Colgate or Crest toothpaste and some arm power, or a buffer would be better. Got mine back around pretty decent

I've used toothpaste to buff scratches out of console game and music cds, as well as polish taillight lenses and instrument cluster lenses.

Cool ideas.......Thanks.... My truck still looks fairly new except for the lenses. Maybe acid rain or UV causes the lenses to get dull, cause it starts at the top edge. But it looks like a factory coating that wears off... so I don't really know

I've used toothpaste to buff scratches out of console game and music cds, as well as polish taillight lenses and instrument cluster lenses.

Works like a charm too. As for the headlight lens I think it more of UV thing than anything else.

well i haven't got to the lenses on my truck yet, shes still new to me :D, but I have done a handfull of other vehicles over time, before they thought to sell us those pricey kits I found my own (which is also cheaper) way:sand them down (i just use a palm sander) with a coarse, then finer sand paper, wipe with a damp soft cloth to get any dust left on, let them dry then give them a few light coat of clearcoat (i usually use plastikote brand rattle can) untill it fills and settles smooth.the paint fills in any marks from the sanding and gives a nice crystal clear smooth surface that i have found has a good long life to it.hope my first contribution to the forum is useful for someone

Thank you. Does the rattle can Plasti-Cote have a nail polish or lacquer smell to it? Just trying to understand what 'Plasti Cote' is

Thank you. Does the rattle can Plasti-Cote have a nail polish or lacquer smell to it? Just trying to understand what 'Plasti Cote' is

it's just a brand name my local parts store carries, i find it adheres to the plastic quite well, as well as most surfaces (my jeep is done entirely in plastikote fl-9 orange lol) more specifically to lenses i use the T-45 clear acrylic: http://www.plastikote.com/products/General%20Purpose/Premium-Enamel-Paint.html