Headlight Lens Cleaning - United Bimmer Community

**gldfshkpr** · 12-12-2007, 09:10 PM

The owner's manual says not to put anything abraisive on the lens. When I bought my car a month ago, the lenses were horribly cloudy. I've used Meguires lens cleaner on them about 5 times and they are better. I want them to be crystal clear. I this an unrealistic expectation? I figure these lenses have been under the sun for 10 years without any treatment. Is there anything else I can do?

witeshark · 12-12-2007, 11:44 PM

Later cars have plastic lenses on the headlights. Like the tails, they need to be protected from sunlight. If they are sun burned, the same paint compound that removes ruined paint can fix the cloudiness (my neighbors just did this on a Caravan) But you need to protect all plastic lights with car wax, just like the paint

**gldfshkpr** · 12-13-2007, 01:05 PM

I figured the Meguire's stuff is too mild to get rid of the cloudiness at once. I'll either keep using it and slowly but surely get them clear or I'll pick up some compound. I also found that using the Mothers foam drill attachment works faster than by hand. It's messier. I splattered the stuff all over the engine bay and bottom of the hood.

I've never heard of using wax on plastic before. I'll take your word for it.

Thanks,
Kirk

**gldfshkpr** · 01-10-2008, 05:30 PM

Well, I picked up some rubbing compound and it really didn't do anything noticable. I did it by hand with a foam wax applicator and then off with a terry applicator. There has to be a better way.

**v8chevyguy** · 02-20-2008, 04:30 PM

I started a company that makes a kit just for cleaning headlight lenses. This sounds like an advertisement but this stuff really works, we've been written up in the newspapers and I stand behind our product 100 percent. Go to www.crystalenz.com for more info, or contact me this forum.

**H3-2.1** · 02-20-2008, 05:52 PM

I've used 3M plastic cleaner and polish and a buffer with great results.

witeshark · 02-20-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gldfshkpr

Well, I picked up some rubbing compound and it really didn't do anything noticable. I did it by hand with a foam wax applicator and then off with a terry applicator. There has to be a better way.

That means they're very bad. The ruined layers have to come off. If it's really bad, they may just need to be replaced. New ones can be kept that way with wax. My mom's Jetta proves it.

kvision · 11-04-2008, 08:44 PM

Headlight Restoration last for years if it is restored the correct way, there are a few products that are on the market,but do not woek,and not last

**vermontrican** · 03-09-2009, 02:31 AM

This sound weird but the same items that you used to clay your car, used in your headlights, it would remove a lot of tarnish in the headlights.

**tree36** · 03-09-2009, 09:24 AM

H3 2.1? wth is that. looks really nice tho. love the purple?

**ivopivo** · 05-29-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gldfshkpr

The owner's manual says not to put anything abraisive on the lens. When I bought my car a month ago, the lenses were horribly cloudy. I've used Meguires lens cleaner on them about 5 times and they are better. I want them to be crystal clear. I this an unrealistic expectation? I figure these lenses have been under the sun for 10 years without any treatment. Is there anything else I can do?

I'm in the process of doing an article on headlight restoration and it will be very detailed, but to sum it up, you need to wet sand the lights (start with 600, then go 800, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000) then polish them with a good polish preferably by machine (hand will take longer)... sealing them with something like Klasse Sealant Glaze will help keep them looking great longer.

Post a photo of the lights if you can.

**dandre222** · 11-05-2010, 08:14 PM

Hi,
I seen your post about headlight restoration, i just had my 325 headlights restored, it is amazing how they came out, i will try and show a before/after, if not i can email you the pic's

Thanks

**95325i** · 11-06-2010, 11:06 PM

I cleaned my headlights on my Z3 up really well with plastic cleaner used on the rear windows of a conv or on the plastic windows on boats.

**dandre222** · 12-08-2010, 07:49 PM

Hi,
can you tell me more about this, also do you have an email address , i would like to show you some pic's

**DavidBlaine** · 12-09-2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95325i

I cleaned my headlights on my Z3 up really well with plastic cleaner used on the rear windows of a conv or on the plastic windows on boats.

What is that stuff called? I could use some of it on mine too.

Nadeem