Celica Forums General Discussion General headlight question i think many want to know

ok, i have seen this on many celicas like '00 - '02!

the oxidation on the outside of the headlights pisses me off! and i dont know how to get rid of it perminately...just a quick fix. the best quick fix that i know about is just to use some paint "scratch and haze" remover...that stuff is like wax when you put it on and then you have to let it dry. after buffing it off, the headlights are crystal clear!...but only for a short time!

this quick fix only lasts a couple days then the oxidation is back and f*ckin up my headlights! this shit is aggrivating and i dont want to have to by new headlights but it is just an eyesore!

any better suggestions would help and all info is welcome... thanks!

First off your headlight lenses won't oxidize, its plastic not metal.

Are you getting a haze on your lenses? Using the scratchX or rubbing compund is a quick fix but it actually makes the matter worse because its an abrasive and it leaves small scratches in the plastic lense. I did the same thing when the headlights on my Talon started turning yellow and I couldn't see squat. It made them totally usesless. I've worked in the automotive plastics bussiness for quite some time and its an issue we've dealt with since they starting making composite lenses, The old glass type do the same thing but it takes a very long time since glass is a much more durable and harder surface. Sorry i can't offer more advice on the matter.

thanks for the info...and yes they are hazy...oxidation <-----that is the only word that i could think of

it is just strange that some celicas have this problem and some never have the problem at all!

i've heard some ppl use toothpaste

yea im havin the same problem. I tried everything still get nothing

toothpaste?

i dont think toothpaste will help. at all.

toothpaste will be way to rough (abrasive)

i think i heard someone on here using something... let me see if i can't find it.

until then, don't try the toothpaste thing.

meguiars plastiX

or Meguiars Scratch X

heres the link it's for headlight spots but i think the stuff he used is the same stuff you need and probably just about the samething virgilson stated above

https://celicahobby.com/gal3/inst_headlightspots

Use Mothers Plastic Polish...
http://store.yahoo.com/microfiber-products-online/06208mp.html
...with a foam polishing pad.

Followed by Plexus Plastic Protectant...
http://www.autogeek.net/plexplasclea.html
...with a Microfiber Glass/Plastic Cleaning Cloth.

absolutely no problems with my 2001 Toyota Celica headlamps

...

Using A foam polishing pad with Mothers Plastic Polish, go over the lens repeatedly in both a left-to-right and up and down pattern. The foam is slightly contoured. As you approach the edges of the lens, work with just the edge of the pad. This gives you a crisp edge to avoid hitting surrounding paintwork.

Continue polishing until the lens is polish free. Wipe the lens with the Fiber Microfiber Glass/Plastic Cleaning Cloth and inspect the lens. If you feel the transparency can still be improved, repeat the polishing process.

After polishing, spray the lens with Plexus Plastic Protectant and wipe with the Fiber Microfiber Cloth.

Plexus Plastic Protectant contains a UV inhibitor to retard UV induced discoloration. Every time you wash the vehicle, spray the plastic lens covers with Plexus to prevent further discoloration.

Notes: UV induced discoloration does permeate through the plastic over time. The key is early treatment. While most of the cloudiness is on the surface, severely discolored lenses can not be brought back to optical perfection.

[edited to add directions/guide]

First you need to wet the head lights and wet 2000 grain sand paper, and youre going to Very lightly sand them off on a circular motion until you get a Haze, then you wil dry it and apply some head light cleaner from Blue majic. apply it like you where polishing your rims, then let it dry a minute or so and with a clean rag wipe it to a new shine. good luck budy