tip for de-yellowing your headlights

Agent_4573 · 12-02-2002, 12:43 AM

Hey guys, this doesn't really have to do with anything but i'de thought I'de put it up in case someone was in need. I recently failed inspection for yellowed headlights and instead of paying for new ones I thought I'de try to clean mine up alittle. I saw on here a few things likes scrubbing bubbles and bleach, but after trying a few I realized what really worked. You guys said it was all heavy oxidation on the heads that turn them yellow so I thought to myself, what removes oxidation and for that matter, almost everything. POLISHING COMPOUND! I put a little bit on a shop rag and didn't even have to scrub that much, it just came right off and made my headlights look 7 years younger. I wish i had some pics for you but i lack a digital camera. So if your headlights are turning yellow and you want to get them back, go grab some polishing compound, it only takes about 5 mins. Hope this helps someone...

P.S. Sorry for any spelling/grammar errors, I'm not totally sober. But this does still work.

RPM427 · 12-02-2002, 12:47 AM

Did you ever make it up to E-town for the import vs detriot event? I was there but got there 15 mins late and didn't get to race. I didn't stay for the end, I am curius about who won?

MidNiteBlu 5.0 · 12-02-2002, 02:10 AM

It works for awhile but it comes back it not very much time. Im gonna buy new ones pretty soon. I tried the same thing and it just came back not long later

The Deuce · 12-02-2002, 02:29 AM

The rubbing compound paste works the best. Wash and dry the lenses and then, well, rub the heck out of it. Should last you three to four months depending on how much you park outside.

88workcar · 12-02-2002, 06:27 AM

I use MOTHERS, I heard the you can spray clear on them after.

HiFlow5 0 · 12-02-2002, 08:14 AM

What you really need to do before polishing is wet sand the headlights with 2000 grit sandpaper. This removes the layers of yellow in the plastic, not just the polish-able surface. Then apply the polish. I used mothers plastic polish and it worked great. The headlights still look great a long time later.

Skyman · 12-02-2002, 02:13 PM

Good Tip! The GS27 scratch remover does a good job at this as well!

Skyler

lx5091 · 12-02-2002, 03:06 PM

HiFlow thats awesome!! It even took the orange right out and made them clear!

kidding!

MustangGT1990 · 12-03-2002, 01:26 AM

I have also been tackling the yellowed headlights as well. One of my dad's friends told me about 2 products made by 3M. He has an 88 Mustang GT. He did his headlights almost 2 years ago and they are still nice and clear. The first is 3M Plastic Cleaner and the other is 3M Plastic Polish. The cleaner contains a fine cilica grit which is probably about the same as the 2000 grit sandpaper HiFlow5 0 mentioned. I used it on my passenger side first and it is amazing how well it works.

12-02-2002, 12:43 AM	#1
Agent_4573 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Jersey Posts: 375	tip for de-yellowing your headlights Hey guys, this doesn't really have to do with anything but i'de thought I'de put it up in case someone was in need. I recently failed inspection for yellowed headlights and instead of paying for new ones I thought I'de try to clean mine up alittle. I saw on here a few things likes scrubbing bubbles and bleach, but after trying a few I realized what really worked. You guys said it was all heavy oxidation on the heads that turn them yellow so I thought to myself, what removes oxidation and for that matter, almost everything. POLISHING COMPOUND! I put a little bit on a shop rag and didn't even have to scrub that much, it just came right off and made my headlights look 7 years younger. I wish i had some pics for you but i lack a digital camera. So if your headlights are turning yellow and you want to get them back, go grab some polishing compound, it only takes about 5 mins. Hope this helps someone... P.S. Sorry for any spelling/grammar errors, I'm not totally sober. But this does still work. __________________ '89 LX 5.0, off-road h pipe, flowmaster muffs, underdrive pulleys, rebuilt WC T-5, King Cobra Clutch, 65mm throttle body, Explorer Upper/GT40 lower, Lakewood Rear Lift Bars. 76mm C&L Mass air w/ inlet pipe, Twisted wedge heads w/ stage 2 port,polish, MAC equal length shorties, Billet AFPR, 255LPH fuel pump, fresh low end w/ 10.5:1 compression. If anyone ever wants to go to Raceway Park in Englishtown New Jersey, give me a shout. RICER HATERS CLUB MEMBER 87! www.ricehatersclub.com

12-02-2002, 12:47 AM	#2
RPM427 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Huntington NY Posts: 573	Did you ever make it up to E-town for the import vs detriot event? I was there but got there 15 mins late and didn't get to race. I didn't stay for the end, I am curius about who won? __________________ -1993 Mustang, 900rwhp 03-04 cobra based 4v swap, full Griggs setup, project underway -1994 Ranger w/ 427cid windsor (daily beater) check it out!

12-02-2002, 02:10 AM	#3
MidNiteBlu 5.0 I got something to say Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,557	It works for awhile but it comes back it not very much time. Im gonna buy new ones pretty soon. I tried the same thing and it just came back not long later __________________ 91 LX Hatch 5.0 - made for the twisties 89 LX Hatchback 5.0 5spd. stolen/stripped 4/7/05 http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/...splay.cgi?3494 1987 Toyota Pickup Ricer Haters Club Member #33 Want a custom gauge cluster for your Vintage Mustang? www.jmeenterprises.com

12-02-2002, 02:29 AM	#4
The Deuce Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,325	The rubbing compound paste works the best. Wash and dry the lenses and then, well, rub the heck out of it. Should last you three to four months depending on how much you park outside. __________________ 1997 Mustang GT "The Freak" - 13.80 @ 101.70, 2.07 60' 1995 Honda VFR750 - not much @ really fast (actual data pending.) 1964.5 Mustang 289 Rice Haters Club Member #13

12-02-2002, 06:27 AM	#5
88workcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Pierre Part, La. U.S.A. Posts: 1,850	I use MOTHERS, I heard the you can spray clear on them after. __________________ 88workcar 1988 Mustang LX 342. 417rwhp @ 6800. 28 X 10 ET Drag, 4.30s, 10.69 @ 126.43 1.42 60ft. 11.13 @ 127.7 on BFGs 1.72 60ft Rice Hater # 42 To be old and wise, You must first be young and stupid I'm somewhere in tthe middle.

12-02-2002, 02:13 PM	#7
Skyman I need 110mph Trap Speed! Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: So, CA Posts: 4,315	Good Tip! The GS27 scratch remover does a good job at this as well! Skyler __________________ 2001 BMW M3 6spd 12.79@108 RIP ---- 1993 Notch w/ 98 4V 4.6 Fasttt... -1989 Saleen Mustang #406- 12.32@109 -1999 Black Cobra Coupe- JBA Shorties, Bassani Cat-X, Magnaflow 3", Pulleys, 85mm Pro-M, Ported Intake, Soild Rear w/ 4.30s, Tubular Front End, X2C arms, 13lb batt, few others.

12-02-2002, 03:06 PM	#8
lx5091 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fall River, MA Posts: 467	HiFlow thats awesome!! It even took the orange right out and made them clear! kidding! __________________ '02 Explorer XLT 4.0L --Nice Vehicle '97 Saturn SL1--Soon to be ditched for a Ford!

12-03-2002, 01:26 AM	#9
MustangGT1990 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Oliver Springs, TN Posts: 31	I have also been tackling the yellowed headlights as well. One of my dad's friends told me about 2 products made by 3M. He has an 88 Mustang GT. He did his headlights almost 2 years ago and they are still nice and clear. The first is 3M Plastic Cleaner and the other is 3M Plastic Polish. The cleaner contains a fine cilica grit which is probably about the same as the 2000 grit sandpaper HiFlow5 0 mentioned. I used it on my passenger side first and it is amazing how well it works. __________________ 1990 Mustang GT 25th Anniversary Edition, 5 speed, 5.0 bored .030" over, FRPP 65mm throttle body, FRPP 1.6 roller rockers, 70 mm MAF, Compcams XE264HR, FRPP Aluminum driveshaft, FRPP Heavy duty clutch, BBK offroad H-pipe, Dual-chamber Flows, Energy Suspension engine and tranny mounts

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