Nasty Headlights

[mazdabetty]

Are anyone else's headlights starting to look really nasty?

The case isn't clear at all it totally looks like there's a ton of dust on the inside, but a friend of mine is telling me it's scratches and wear on the outside (even though it's smooth to touch).

I did a search for how to solve this without spending a lot of $$ and nothing really came up except for the "How to Refinish Your Headlights", and I know I'd ruin them if I did it myself. haha (plus I just don't have the patience).

Anyone else experiencing this? :whoa

[vlad5434]

Am not to sure havent really looked i hate havin stock lights tho when i drive at night dont eve seem like i got them on ... until i get in my garage and i see em on the wall other then taht i cant see em on the street....

[Krakor]

Are anyone else's headlights starting to look really nasty?

The case isn't clear at all it totally looks like there's a ton of dust on the inside, but a friend of mine is telling me it's scratches and wear on the outside (even though it's smooth to touch).

I did a search for how to solve this without spending a lot of $$ and nothing really came up except for the "How to Refinish Your Headlights", and I know I'd ruin them if I did it myself. haha (plus I just don't have the patience).

Anyone else experiencing this? :whoa

I had the same problem with my 2005 M3 Sport GT.

I fixed it easily... I bought a 2008.5!

I know what's coming next... SMART ASS!

Yeah I deserved that.

:AH

[Donutz]

It happens. The best thing to do is take the steps noted in the refinishing thread. I believe you can use toothpaste to polish then; something like crest.

[mazdabetty]

Whattttt, toothpaste???? Really? No sanding? Hmmmm... will I be at risk of looking ridiculous sitting in my driveway with a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste scrubbing my headlight? hahha... if it works that would be awesome.

haha Krakor I wish I could just do that... gotta keep telling myself I can wait another 3 years. :P

vlad5434 I know what you mean they're incredibly dim... I think a lot of it has something to do with the condition of the housings though :|

[Krakor]

Whattttt, toothpaste???? Really? No sanding? Hmmmm... will I be at risk of looking ridiculous sitting in my driveway with a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste scrubbing my headlight? hahha... if it works that would be awesome.

haha Krakor I wish I could just do that... gotta keep telling myself I can wait another 3 years. :P

vlad5434 I know what you mean they're incredibly dim... I think a lot of it has something to do with the condition of the housings though :|


The toothpaste thing may take a loooooooooooooooooong time to make it work.

Try it but don't get your hopes up.
Are you coming out to the Mississauga meet this Sunday?
We could take a look at them.

[mazdabetty]

There's a meet? haha no I'll be in Ottawa... in town next weekend.

I think I'll try the toothpaste (sounds sooo ridiculous). What is it in toothpaste exactly that cleans or smooths out the plastic?

[Krakor]

There's a meet? haha no I'll be in Ottawa... in town next weekend.

I think I'll try the toothpaste (sounds sooo ridiculous). What is it in toothpaste exactly that cleans or smooths out the plastic?

It's the same stuff that cleans our teeth. Very mild abrasive.

You really need to spend a lot of time rubbing it with a fine non-abrasive cloth.

Try it and let us know what happens.

[mit-gee-mui]

Did you see this one?
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=24122&highlight=polish%2A+headlight%2A

[mazdabetty]

I wanted to bring this thread back to life as I've found a product by turtle wax that may possibly solve this problem?

It's called Turtle Wax Headlight Restorer (http://www.turtlewax.com/main.taf?p=2,1,4,27) Anyone tried this stuff out? Looks pretty new... I might price it out and give it a shot but I`m not sure it`s worth it...

PS toothpaste does NOT work on plastic. lol

[Xenon]

I think I will end up wetsanding/restoring my headlights something soon....

The problem I find though, is that there is a lot of crap on the INSIDE as well as the outside.

I think if I ever get down to doing it, I'll be disassembling the housing and cleaning the inside. Then wetsanding the outside too.

[gabbygenier]

i have the same problem, its not the outside of the light thats scratched its the inside thats dirty.

and for refinisng ur headlights if u want to betty. ask culrid on OMC he has done his headlights and tailights so he knows the procedure.

i was gonna do it to mine but upon further inspection i realized the inside was dirty. and i think the only way really to wash them would be to take them off and use a low pressure washer and then dry them.

[KenYork]

Whattttt, toothpaste???? Really? No sanding? Hmmmm... will I be at risk of looking ridiculous sitting in my driveway with a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste scrubbing my headlight? hahha... if it works that would be awesome.

haha Krakor I wish I could just do that... gotta keep telling myself I can wait another 3 years. :P

vlad5434 I know what you mean they're incredibly dim... I think a lot of it has something to do with the condition of the housings though :|

Well at least it will end up minty fresh.

[mazdabetty]

i have the same problem, its not the outside of the light thats scratched its the inside thats dirty.

and for refinisng ur headlights if u want to betty. ask culrid on OMC he has done his headlights and tailights so he knows the procedure.

i was gonna do it to mine but upon further inspection i realized the inside was dirty. and i think the only way really to wash them would be to take them off and use a low pressure washer and then dry them.


Oh yeah? Hmm... yeah it totally looks like dust and crap on the inside to me too... if that's all it is then I won't need to refinish them... is it hard to take apart the housing though? I'd like to do this too...


Well at least it will end up minty fresh.

hahahhaa, oh yes, they smell awesome now.

[gabbygenier]

well to take them apart u have to bake them open. and i dont really want to do that. a few ppl have done it on omc and can give u a hand with it if u want to do it. but im thinking of just taking the headlights off (not too hard) and washing them. then use a hair dryer to dry them, shouldnt take too long. just have to make sure there is no water left inside so it wont form condensation or blow the bubls

[mazdabetty]

Let me know how this works for you! Maybe I'll ask you guys for some help taken them off hahah, I wouldn't even know where to start :blush

[gabbygenier]

no problem, i jsut have to find the time to do it haha

[mzkaye729]

I wanted to bring this thread back to life as I've found a product by turtle wax that may possibly solve this problem?

It's called Turtle Wax Headlight Restorer (http://www.turtlewax.com/main.taf?p=2,1,4,27) Anyone tried this stuff out? Looks pretty new... I might price it out and give it a shot but I`m not sure it`s worth it...

PS toothpaste does NOT work on plastic. lol

I've never seen this product before ! Is it new ? I dont think I've noticed it at Canadian Tire and I usually use some Turtle Rubbing Compound and finish it off with PlastX.

[DARK3]

i have a set of OEM sedan headlights for sale if anyone is interested!

[bubba1983]

may i suggest if your not very DIY.....contact makeitshine, for $60 he will rfinish them fo ryou

[CFX]

Meguiar's Headlight Restoration Kit
YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw5KSum28dc)

[Krakor]

Meguiar's Headlight Restoration Kit
YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw5KSum28dc)

That stuff looks awesome!

I gotta get me some!:pop

[ardeep]

I use to own a 95 dodge avenger, and this was the worst issue with it. The headlights looked foggy or milky. An easy fix was to take a tea spoon of dexron tranny fluid and smear it on the lens and buff it clean... I can guarantee you that they will start sparkling like new in minutes but then again for a full clean you need the restoration kit.

[ardeep]

*Edit*
You have to put the tranny fluid on a bounty sheet and buff it with the same sheet..

[imamamasboy]

Go to Canadiantire and pick up the headlight restoration kit for 10-15 bucks.. part source has it as well

Tested and works perfectly on a 1999 integra and 2002 lexus is300

Take your time, the kit has detailed instructions and you really can't go wrong. Just take your time and you'll be more than pleased with the results

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/AutoHeadlights/HeadlightAccessories/PRD~0383702P/Headlight%2BLens%2BRestoration%2BKit.jsp

[mazdabetty]

Okay guys so FYI, the toothpaste thing does NOT work.... lol!!! This only works on glass I've discovered. In fact it made the plastic even worse. Do not try this. hahah

I took mine to the dealer and had them done professionally. Was free of charge for me because I was already getting body work done there, but usually they charge about $50 as Bubba had mentioned. Turns out everything was on the outside after all... I really thought it was all on the inside.

Anyway I'd highly recommend this if your headlights are starting to bug you, it's worth it... what a world of difference!!!! It looks like I have a new car. And the lights now have a direct beam... it's not spread across the lense like before.

Just thought I'd mention it for anyone else with the same issue :)

[SpeedBaby]

and now that they look like new i would strongly suggest getting them wrapped with a clear film to prevent further damage all over again

[cwp_sedan]

and now that they look like new i would strongly suggest getting them wrapped with a clear film to prevent further damage all over again

+1. I should have done this when mine were new but didn't. If I ever buff mine back to a pristine state I will be putting some kind of protective film on them.

[mazdabetty]

Really? Would you be able to notice it? Or will it fog the lights at all?

[seelsy]

Really? Would you be able to notice it? Or will it fog the lights at all?

have you ever seen the mazdas with the clear bra to protect against chips and bugs? same idea, you cant see it unless you look for seams, it just acts as a barrier between foreign objects and the lens casing itself, wouldnt affect use or even be noticable.

[SpeedBaby]

won't affect your light output if you use clear film

[mazdabetty]

Hmm alright, thanks for the info guys! I'll start searching for some sponsors that can do this :)

[SpeedBaby]

btw, thnx for testing the toothpaste method - i've always been both curious and sceptical about it and wanted to see actual proof that it works...now i've been released of my curiosity lol

[Gizzmo_jr]

http://sechemedia.ca/shop/ for some vinyl

[coriolis]

I have the same problem, I tried the toothpaste, the restoration kit from CT, nothing worked. I dropped it off at Kaval's and he fixed it up. A bit pricey, but they were so bad, it took Kaval 2 hours instead of the normal 45-60 minutes.


http://ohsnos.com/Mazda/DSC01449.jpg
http://ohsnos.com/Mazda/DSC01435.jpg
http://ohsnos.com/Mazda/DSC01434.jpg
http://ohsnos.com/Mazda/DSC01433.jpg
http://ohsnos.com/Mazda/DSC01449.jpg

http://ohsnos.com/Mazda/DSC01469.jpg
http://ohsnos.com/Mazda/DSC01470.jpg
http://ohsnos.com/Mazda/DSC01471.jpg

[mleblond]

Check my section, I got clear 20 mil in stock :)

[RedRaptor]

I have the same problem, I tried the toothpaste, the restoration kit from CT, nothing worked. I dropped it off at Kaval's and he fixed it up. A bit pricey, but they were so bad, it took Kaval 2 hours instead of the normal 45-60 minutes.


Wow! I'm definitely getting this done with mine (after I get Dan to reseal) and having them 3Med by Seche.

[Gizzmo_jr]

Wow those are nice and clear.
Definitely thou, wish I did the clear vinyl from the beginning.

[crystal8484]

My driver's side headlight is nasty that's for sure. Passenger side looks brand new. Ugh. Car needs so much re-vamping this year. FML.

[mazdabetty]

I have the same problem, I tried the toothpaste, the restoration kit from CT, nothing worked. I dropped it off at Kaval's and he fixed it up. A bit pricey, but they were so bad, it took Kaval 2 hours instead of the normal 45-60 minutes.

WOW!!!!! Those are crazy clean.. hahaha, mine are clean but not INVISIBLE like that :chuckle Mine were just as bad as yours before... I guess mine could have used an extra hour of sandpaper love too... haha oh well... looks great!

[gabbygenier]

got any pics of urs after elite did them ash? id like to see them before i commit to it. mine are WAYYYY worst then the pics that coriolis posted

[BMWWW]

For those that want to DIY, go to eshine and buy Duragloss' 601 plastic polish.

I think I posted on this forum, but if not, just google it, and you'll find a review of mine that I posted on a few forums. Its only $10, and via a rotary, it knocked out my Civic's headlights to a very acceptable state, and it took next to no time/effort when compared to wetsanding. (I tried it by hand, but I have a rotary with cutting pads, so I went that route and made it effortless)

Perfectly clear, minus the really deep scratches.

If you're local, I can even lend it to you.

[project_axela]

a little off topic for this thread but just wondering if anyone else has this problem...my headlights are pretty clear still, however...I have a whole bunch of little cracks near the top. Like along the whole top of the headlight. When I went to the dealer to get some bodywork done I asked them about it, and the guy said that it had probably been in a small front end collision at some point, but I dunno if I agree. Just wondering if anyone has some insight into this topic?

[Riftler]

I had the same problem and I'm not a big DIY person, so I probably head to a sponsor soon. Thanks for the update madzabetty

[Rob23]

cracked headlights? you should have got them to replace them when you bought the car. id replace those..

[mazdabetty]

got any pics of urs after elite did them ash? id like to see them before i commit to it. mine are WAYYYY worst then the pics that coriolis posted

oops! Just saw this now... did you get a chance to look at them the other day? I still haven't washed the dust away since I picked up the car so they might have looked a bit dirty :P

[gabbygenier]

oops! Just saw this now... did you get a chance to look at them the other day? I still haven't washed the dust away since I picked up the car so they might have looked a bit dirty :P

no i tottally forgot, i was just thinking about it and came to see this haha

[r4BBiT]

lol at toothpaste method :D

toothpaste definatly worked on my old cell phone's screen ;)

[Default User]

When I first read toothpaste...automatically I thought of Denture-specific toothpaste (if there is one LOL!!) figuring the "abrasive" will be a little higher.

I've always wet-sanded previous vehicles - the old family 97 Caravan was notorious having to do this twice a year.


But reading this, I was wondering if anyone has "refinished" a windshield.
Mine isn't cracked or as filthy as some of the headlights, but it's starting to show wear and small pits in the sun.

[project_axela]

Hey, so I thought that I'd post some pics of my nasty headlights (the ones with small cracks in them).
To me, it looks like somebody took a heat gun to them and didn't know what they were doing...? Look at the paint near the inner corner of the driver's side headlight; it looks like it's been heated and then cooled. Or do you think that the heat from HID's could cause cracks in the plastic?

http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/project_axela/Cars/th_RIMS009.jpg (http://s841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/project_axela/Cars/?action=view&current=RIMS009.jpg)http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/project_axela/Cars/th_RIMS005.jpg (http://s841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/project_axela/Cars/?action=view&current=RIMS005.jpg)http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/project_axela/Cars/th_RIMS006.jpg (http://s841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/project_axela/Cars/?action=view&current=RIMS006.jpg)

Lol, my solution for now is trying to cover up the nasty cracks with eyelids!! Lol, it'll work till I get cash for some new headlights.

[project_axela]

edit: here's the actual pic of the driver's side with nasty paint in the corner that I forgot to add to my first post! :blush

http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/project_axela/Cars/th_RIMS007.jpg (http://s841.photobucket.com/albums/zz332/project_axela/Cars/?action=view&current=RIMS007.jpg)

[Gizzmo_jr]

Yeah, i'd completely agree with you that to much heat and that's the result.

[mazdabetty]

Hey, so I thought that I'd post some pics of my nasty headlights (the ones with small cracks in them).
To me, it looks like somebody took a heat gun to them and didn't know what they were doing...? Look at the paint near the inner corner of the driver's side headlight; it looks like it's been heated and then cooled. Or do you think that the heat from HID's could cause cracks in the plastic?

ouch... judging by the paint deformation on the outside it doesn't looks like something your HIDs could have done.... (or could they?) I'm sure the cracks in the lens can be taken care of though, depending on how deep they are.

[JSI]

ouch... judging by the paint deformation on the outside it doesn't looks like something your HIDs could have done.... (or could they?) I'm sure the cracks in the lens can be taken care of though, depending on how deep they are.

Agreed, it seems a lot like heat from outside not inside the light housing.