Headlight Polishing
 

Here's something I learnt that worked well.:thumb:

I've have used some great polishes, I've purchased, to revive foggy headlight lens, but my daughter recently read about using tooth paste to buff them. One of my HHR's had a lens the was starting to go foggy, so I figured I'd try it. I used a foam buffing pad on my drill, with a bit of water and tooth paste, it worked great. No more foggy lens, and it was really cheap!

Huh, never even thought of toothpaste, but it does contain ultra fine abrasives. A good tip for those with lenses showing degradation.:thumb:

I guess a side benefit is that your HHR ends up with minty fresh breath too.;)

it will need to be done again in a few months though. I would get a good clear coat paint that has UV protection and spray a few coats on and buff it with a good compound.

Very cool , I have to ask do you rinse it off with Listrene?

The products out there are just rubbing compound. The last one I used had 3 colors of compound and a nice foaming buffing pad. The instructions did not mention it, but I applied some of Mario Andretti's (RainX) windshield treatment after.

:lol:I agree, as I have used the old toothpaste method for years. And with any headlight cleaners you are eleminating a finr layers of the natural UV protectant on the lenses. So a go9d coat of rain x or UV protectant is needed after. And you also get fresh breath and a minty white smile.

I'm going to try waxing them to see how long it will hold up. I had a car that someone had cleared over the lenses and it was a bear to bring them back with the clear.

I've even thought of using 3M clear stone guard, it would be easy to peel and replace every 6 months after a good polishing the first time.

i've heard bug spray/repellant will work as well

Optimum Opti-Lens Permanent Headlight Coating, headlight coatings protectants I have not tried this stuff ,but it has been recommended by a turbo T-bird forum ...john

i use PlastX from Meguiars...doing a pretty darn good job for me so far

Fine grit sand paper, Plastic X, Rotary Buffer, and time. Works great.

Also they make many kits that can be bought over the counter at local parts stores. My HHR is due soon, maybe do a how-to....

I bought a kit to do my CTS from all the highway driving I do, it was about $25 and a half hour. The toothpaste was 10 minutes and I've done 3 more cars for friends now, with barely a dent in the tube of toothpaste lol! I do use Ice wax once I'm done to help protect them too.

Nice!

Meg's makes a specific protectant for UV rays. I havent bought it but hear good things, in general I always throw some wax on there just for a lil extra.

Like with any correction how much pressure, speed, abrasiveness of the pad/chemical, dictate what it can cut.

The alternating with sand paper. up to down, then side to side, makes everything consistant as far as scratches and then plastic x and a wool pad gets that near new surface.

Wish they would go back to glass. This never used to be an issue.

It'll never happen, glass is heavier than plastic, and it's a bear to mold into complex shapes with consistent optical characteristics.

The days of "Sealed Beam" headlights were simpler, but we'll never see their return.

X2, plus the cost to them and us the consumer wouldn't be justified, but it certainly is easier to maintain.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/appe...dlights-42401/

:thumb:

I have used several different brand restoration kits and have found Sylvannia's kit to be the best. Unlike most others it comes with a sealant/UV protector as the last step. Headlamps looked brand new when done.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...ae5d301bfa.jpg

Before


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...29dc38d410.jpg

After

skeeter- what did you use?

Whatever product you use be aware that you are removing the UV protective layer from the plastic.