Foggy OEM Headlights

[AChumacher]

My 99 Solara has OEM headlights and over time they've become foggy on the outside due to sunlight. I know this is due to the heat from the sun and they've become translucent instead of transparent. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make them clear again? I was thinking of using a buffer and a clear coat of polish...

[Dawgz]

believe it or not, toothpaste works wonders on dull headlights, or even nail polish remover.

i havnt used it on my car's headlights but have used it on my other cars, works well.

[LatinUSMC]

WET SAND EM DOWN WITH THE FINNEST GRIT PAPER U CAN FIND T
HE I BELIEVE I USED 1100 .....WASH AND WAX. YOULL SEE THE DIFFERENCE THERES ALSO A PLASTIX CLEANER YOU CAN BUY AT A NY AUTO PART STORE.

[woa_its_j3ff]

believe it or not, toothpaste works wonders on dull headlights, or even nail polish remover.

i havnt used it on my car's headlights but have used it on my other cars, works well.

any procedure as to how long you put it on and such?
mine aren't quite foggy but not as clear as they should be.

[Akfahad]

I've used Macquires plastic polish i picked up front advanced auto, works well, but i kept putting it on after each wash. got lazy and just ended up buying some new ones. (on a different car tho)

[AChumacher]

thanks for all the help from everyone. i've used 600 wet sand paper and that smoothed them out a bit but left them foggy. then i used toothpaste and it helped a lot. i'm thinking of using a polish of some sort that leaves a gloss finish.

[(K)]

You should use colgate whitenining, it does wonders...even though I'm sure it won't matter which kind you use haha.

[Dawgz]

thanks for all the help from everyone. i've used 600 wet sand paper and that smoothed them out a bit but left them foggy. then i used toothpaste and it helped a lot. i'm thinking of using a polish of some sort that leaves a gloss finish.

I told ya.

The best thing to do is put the toothpaste on the headlight and rub it in with a cotton ball or a cotton napkin or watever, rub it all over the headlight, let it sit for 2 mins, then wash it off with water and a clean rag.

itll be good as new.

[LatinDragonXJC]

Wow some overkill going on, why not just get plastic polish?.......its worked great on mine, makes my headlights look factory.

Never tried the toothpaste, but makes sense.

[99V6solaraSE]

i did the toothpaste thing and it worked surprisingly.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

colgate works, best thing would be mcguires plastX

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

Best thing is also some metal polish... I use Blue Magic Chrome & Metal Polish, and my headlights gleam (almost) like new! I say almost because there's some ripples on the inside and a bit of water seep-through.

[ozone]

Make sure you use the toothpaste with the tarter control. The other kind only fights plaque!

Oh yeah, you know I heard that stuff works on teeth too.

Just thought I'd mention that I use the Plastx stuff too and it works well, but it always comes back, so you'll have to repeat the process in a few weeks.

There is a film that you can put on the headlights. That protects against this, stone chips, bugs, etc. I put it on the headlights of my Spyder.

Warning, you need to have skill to do this. Flat surfaces are easier, than curves, but really mine came out looking horrible. You can see it at my website: www.ozone1000.com. As far as the film goes, it's hard to comment.

Pro's: The car looks good from a distance, where you can't see the ripples and folds I caused. Bugs wash off very easy. The film seems to sort of fill in small "rash" for a smoother finish and of course, the lights don't fog anymore.

Con's: It is very hard to put on curved surfaces. The film stretches then wants to pucker up near the edges. It is hard to keep the ripples out of the film, especially since it seems to come with a few in the packaging. My film seems to have a whole bunch of hairline cracks in it that you can see from certain angles. (Note: this may be caused by the lengthy install process which included lots of alcohol water and heating with a hair drier).

In any case, it is available at www.stickercity.com and was about $50.00 for the Spyder, pre-cut. They did not have precut for the first gen Solara, so you have to cut your own out of a sheet of flat stock. If you do this, cut it a little bit small, since it will stretch as you apply it.

Good luck.

[ozone]

Make sure you use the toothpaste with the tarter control. The other kind only fights plaque!

Oh yeah, you know I heard that stuff works on teeth too.

Just thought I'd mention that I use the Plastx stuff too and it works well, but it always comes back, so you'll have to repeat the process in a few weeks.

There is a film that you can put on the headlights. That protects against this, stone chips, bugs, etc. I put it on the headlights of my Spyder.

Warning, you need to have skill to do this. Flat surfaces are easier, than curves, but really mine came out looking horrible. You can see it at my website: www.ozone1000.com. As far as the film goes, it's hard to comment.

Pro's: The car looks good from a distance, where you can't see the ripples and folds I caused. Bugs wash off very easy. The film seems to sort of fill in small "rash" for a smoother finish and of course, the lights don't fog anymore.

Con's: It is very hard to put on curved surfaces. The film stretches then wants to pucker up near the edges. It is hard to keep the ripples out of the film, especially since it seems to come with a few in the packaging. My film seems to have a whole bunch of hairline cracks in it that you can see from certain angles. (Note: this may be caused by the lengthy install process which included lots of alcohol water and heating with a hair drier. A pro would do this much quicker).

In any case, it is available at www.stickercity.com and was about $50.00 for the Spyder, pre-cut. They did not have pre-cut for the first gen Solara, so you have to cut your own out of a sheet of flat stock. If you do this, cut it a little bit small, since it will stretch as you apply it.

Good luck.

[woa_its_j3ff]

Make sure you use the toothpaste with the tarter control. The other kind only fights plaque!

Oh yeah, you know I heard that stuff works on teeth too.

Just thought I'd mention that I use the Plastx stuff too and it works well, but it always comes back, so you'll have to repeat the process in a few weeks.

There is a film that you can put on the headlights. That protects against this, stone chips, bugs, etc. I put it on the headlights of my Spyder.

Warning, you need to have skill to do this. Flat surfaces are easier, than curves, but really mine came out looking horrible. You can see it at my website: www.ozone1000.com. As far as the film goes, it's hard to comment.

Pro's: The car looks good from a distance, where you can't see the ripples and folds I caused. Bugs wash off very easy. The film seems to sort of fill in small "rash" for a smoother finish and of course, the lights don't fog anymore.

Con's: It is very hard to put on curved surfaces. The film stretches then wants to pucker up near the edges. It is hard to keep the ripples out of the film, especially since it seems to come with a few in the packaging. My film seems to have a whole bunch of hairline cracks in it that you can see from certain angles. (Note: this may be caused by the lengthy install process which included lots of alcohol water and heating with a hair drier. A pro would do this much quicker).

In any case, it is available at www.stickercity.com and was about $50.00 for the Spyder, pre-cut. They did not have pre-cut for the first gen Solara, so you have to cut your own out of a sheet of flat stock. If you do this, cut it a little bit small, since it will stretch as you apply it.

Good luck.

I had the vinyl from sticker city. on the headlight it is crap. even if you cut it yourself and take out the housing, not only will it BARELY curve, but since it's so rounded everywhere you have to have heat on it constantly to have it shape into the form of the headlight.

Bottom line, for your headlights at least, stick with the toothpaste idea.