sheryl Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 Do any of your dh's work in the repair dept. of a big auto dealership? I'd like to know how to clean the exterior (or possibly interior as well) of the headlights. There is a dingy, yucky film on the headlights that I thought was inside but I was told it's very likely on the outside. What products and method to use? Would you kindly ask and share? Hope someone can answer this with true automotive experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 You can get a kit that has the cleaner and proper tools at an auto parts store, or maybe even Wal-Mart. They aren't expensive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 I did the kit. It isn't expensive. It's called a Headlight Restoration kit. I think I got mine at the local auto store, but I'm sure they're widely available elsewhere. I did it myself. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 No my dh does not know anything, but I've had this. Years ago was driving an older car. The headlights were dim. I thought I needed to replace them. Car was due for other maintenance so I added that to the list and took it the the mechanic I trusted (I don't usually go to dealerships for repair). They called me and said they could clean out the inside of my lights and gave me a quote on that, which was significantly cheaper than buying new headlights. I have no idea what they did, but my lights worked well after that. It was definitely not the outside of the light. Maybe the dealership you are talking to is focused on selling parts (new headlights) and so doesn't consider how to clean the headlight. Or maybe the headlights for your make and model can't get cleaned. Recently, I've gotten lucky finding repairs buy using Google and YouTube with my year, make and model. Without that information it's kind of hard to guess what needs to be done, even with headlights. Every model seems to have a different design and there may be something different for each. It might be a small difference or enough to require special handling. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawana Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 You can buy a kit, or, for about $30, you can have it done at Sam's Club. Don't know which other places may do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 It depends on how dirty they are. We just use the squeegee and washing solution at the gas station when we gas up the car. Since it's done regularly, it doesn't build up. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheryl Posted May 3, 2017 Author Share Posted May 3, 2017 ok, thanks everyone. I did not mention, although y'all understood, it's the headlight "cover" and not the actual bulb itself. jean, good idea. will try this first. they are quite dirty. then, proceed to other ideas listed. thanks all!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomsintheGarden Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 Dh used one of those kits on a couple of our family's cars, and it really worked. The difference between before and after is remarkable. Be forewarned that it is messy. You are basically sanding off the film with a circular disk using compounds. The compound spins off and gets everywhere, so it's best done outside wearing old clothes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 I used one the DIY kits and it did some good, but I found a Groupon for a shop to do it and it was much, much better. The plastic on the covers gets oxidized. That makes them less clear. I see that I will want to do again now that it has been about two years. It cost me in Indianapolis with a Groupon about $35 and took about an hour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheryl Posted May 3, 2017 Author Share Posted May 3, 2017 I used one the DIY kits and it did some good, but I found a Groupon for a shop to do it and it was much, much better. The plastic on the covers gets oxidized. That makes them less clear. I see that I will want to do again now that it has been about two years. It cost me in Indianapolis with a Groupon about $35 and took about an hour. You get the star!! :) That was my concern all along and my reason for not going to big box stores to get a kit - the concern that it makes them less clear. Hmmm. What do the automotive shops use then? I'll definitely look for a groupon. Great idea!! Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 Compounding cleaner. 3M makes some. Use sponge to apply, microfiber cloth to take off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllll Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 (edited) nm Edited May 7, 2017 by _ -_- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 You get the star!! :) That was my concern all along and my reason for not going to big box stores to get a kit - the concern that it makes them less clear. Hmmm. What do the automotive shops use then? I'll definitely look for a groupon. Great idea!! Thanks! Like the others said, compounding cleaner. The shop used a power buffer to apply and clean the covers better than I could do at home. So when I did it, it was a bit clearer. When they did it, it was almost like new. They have started to become more fuzzy again though after two years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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