How to remove Headlight Crazing, Anyone else have this problem? Options

[Pearl01stratcpe]

My headlights were pretty bad so i decided to do something about it. There was a fine line that i could feel with my fingernail and it looked horrible.
I noticed it more after i did the "JDM" mod with the black behind the clear lense. I looked online and only found kits, and they were a bit pricey, and since i had most things around the house anyways and free time i figured it was worth a shot.

You will need:

Spray bottle for water
Wet/Dry sandpaper
320 grit (if yours were as bad as mine you'll need it)
400 grit
800 grit
1500 grit
2000 grit
Plastic Polish - I had 'Mothers'
Rag

Every item can be found at most auto stores and Walmart.


1.Spray water on the lense on give it a good sanding with your first sandpaper(320/400)
This is the main one so it will look horrible when you get first get done. Dont get crazy and press real hard, but get most of the crazing off. I moved it up and down over the entire lense, then side to side, then all around; make sure its wet the entire time.

2. Wipe all the water off, spray with water again and use your next grit.
These will buff and polish your lense back to its original clearness. Go over the entire surface again.

3.Use the same technique as your previous grits, and it will slowly get clearer.

Once you get to 2000grit youll really notice a difference, but it still wont be perfect, and it will look hazy.

4.Spray off the entire area with water and dry it good.

5.Finally, get out the plastic polish and buff away. I used a buff pad attached to a cordless drill and really worked it in.
let it dry per instructions on bottle, and wipe off.

It worked great for me. I only have one lense done for now, ill get better pictures up ASAP.
Before/After
(IMG:http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k100/Bekistan20/head1small.jpg)

Before/After
(IMG:http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k100/Bekistan20/head2small.jpg)

All it needs now is a good wash...

[briar17]

my shit has that too and for the LIFE of me I cannot get it off.... Was going to buy new headlights w/ my tax return. I'll have to try this method and see what happens.


(IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[ZeroRT]

very good to know! thanks for posting i'm trying this asap.
this is probably a common stratus problem. all i have to base that off of though is my 01 stratus and my friend's 99 4dr strat

[crossintothesebr...]

i ended up sanding my headlight lens back in the summer and i noticed a huge difference almost night and day, but i still have some work to make them look a little better. about how thick is the lens itself as a rough estimate?

[briar17]

On a similar aspect, what causes this?

[AllEur0.]

Aerodynamics. That's probably a critical point where the air flowing across the headlight is most severe, carrying grit and dust that peppers the plastic and pits it.

[briar17]

Hmm I dont know so much about that. Maybe my headlights are different than the problem posted here. They feel like they have a film on the top half of them almost. Like you could scratch it off/buff itout and it'd be fine. However, it didnt work that way...

[Pearl01stratcpe]

Aerodynamics. That's probably a critical point where the air flowing across the headlight is most severe, carrying grit and dust that peppers the plastic and pits it.

Age and UV rays also play a factor. Its called polycarbonate plastic and automakers use it because its easy to work with. They know that it ages bad, and they put a protective layer on the material to reduce the weathering, but over time broken down, and you get nasty lenses. Im wondering if they can be clear coated? after all the work i did i dont want to mess up my headlights, but if i could restore a protective layer maybe it would help so it doesnt do it again anytime soon.

[fatboyinfl]

My 03 headlights are beginning to show this problem (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

My car is in a garage at school, at work, and at home. It's in the sun for MAYBE 1hr a day. This is frustrating. (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

This post has been edited by fatboyinfl: Jan 31 2007, 08:42 AM

[shotgunefx]

Hmm I dont know so much about that. Maybe my headlights are different than the problem posted here. They feel like they have a film on the top half of them almost. Like you could scratch it off/buff itout and it'd be fine. However, it didnt work that way...

Thata's probably because they do.

(IMG:http://www.leeland.net/lib/leeland/lightpeel.jpg)

Mine are currently looking shitty, been meaning to buff em, but haven't had the time yet. I have another set, but don't want to use them unless I have to.

Plexus might be good as far as protecting them afterwards.

[2001pearlRT]

i did this back in the day when I had my RT...and posted a how-to for it also (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[fatboyinfl]

i did this back in the day when I had my RT...and posted a how-to for it also  (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

aren't you supposed to live over at mustang world now? (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Pearl01stratcpe]

aren't you supposed to live over at mustang world now?  (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Haha yeah. i found no such thing on the site, so i made one.

[JGarrett]

Haha yeah. i found no such thing on the site, so i made one.

http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/index.php?...topic=29836&hl=


Basically the same technique, but I finished it off after the 2000 grit with a 3000 grit sanding pad and an orbital sander. The results came out way better than any light I had done by hand going up to 2000 grit before.

Before:
(IMG:http://jgarrett23.googlepages.com/HeadlightsBefore2.jpg)

After(top headlight isn't finished yet):
(IMG:http://jgarrett23.googlepages.com/HeadlightFinished.jpg)


(IMG:http://jgarrett23.googlepages.com/AvengerHeadlights.jpg)

[Pearl01stratcpe]

ahh... A guy at work is bringing his orbital buffer and compound in tomorrow to try on the headlights, so they should look even better than now. Does anyone know if you can clear coat the lenses without messing them up?

[stratusfied02]

ahh... A guy at work is bringing his orbital buffer and compound in tomorrow to try on the headlights, so they should look even better than now. Does anyone know if you can clear coat the lenses without messing them up?

Yes you can. But..........
The clearcoat will yellow and look like shit after a few months. Just keep them clean and wax them just like the paint and they will be fine. Mine has held up for a year now.

[2001pearlRT]

aren't you supposed to live over at mustang world now?  (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

shouldn't you be on a photography forum somewhere? (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

and no i shouldnt be on a mustang forum because i dont have a mustang anymore (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) havent for about 6 or 7 months now...shows how much u know (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[fatboyinfl]

shouldn't you be on a photography forum somewhere?  (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

and no i shouldnt be on a mustang forum because i dont have a mustang anymore  (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)   (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) havent for about 6 or 7 months now...shows how much u know  (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)   (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

edit- care (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

I've yet to see you post on POTN yet for photography, what gives? I know you've got stuff to show off or ask questions about.

[2001pearlRT]

i just look to get ideas there (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This post has been edited by 2001pearlRT: Feb 1 2007, 06:00 AM

[Pearl01stratcpe]

I also did the reverse lenses with the same technique.. i didnt realize how bad they were! The top one is the sanded and buffed one.
(IMG:http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k100/Bekistan20/reverselenses.jpg)

[fatboyinfl]

i just look to get ideas there  (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

so you're a leech off the community? (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[SuperGlueHero]

I tried this method starting with 1000grit. I really needed to go a little lower. I did use the 3000grit pad and buffing compound though. If you use an orbital to sand be careful where you do it. The plastic gets caught up in the water and flung around. When it dries, it's very hard to get out. Good idea Pearl01stratcpe with the reverse lenses. Mine are the same way and I never thought about using the same technique.

[nsagnella]

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s96/nsa...la/100_1288.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s96/nsa...la/100_1287.jpg

Supergluehero and I only had time to do one. The one that I did was actually the worst of the two.
I used:
600
800
1000
1500
2000
3000
polish

My lenses these tiny cracks (like dry rot) that permeate the entire lense. After the treatment, they are not easily seen and don't really reffect the light.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s96/nsa...la/100_1284.jpg

The light it much more concentrated and bright on the treated side.

***sorry for the URL's, it would not allow me to add the pics or add a hyperlink for some reason***

This post has been edited by nsagnella: Feb 20 2007, 03:08 PM

[Pearl01stratcpe]

Wow thats quite a difference... you can tell you did the passenger headlight. I had tiny cracks in mine too- Thats what crazing is. Yellowed headlights are called 'hazed'. Mine are still clear. I hope this lasts a while.

[Odin]

i realize i'm a few months behind...but i think that it would make a huge affect on fog lights as well as the reverse lights previously posted...

[ylimeRT01]

well i tried this today with no luck..it just wont come off!!...so i tihnk i will take a few days to think of other options. My carzing is really bad. I may just buy a new set.

[Pearl01stratcpe]

well i tried this today with no luck..it just wont come off!!...so i tihnk i will take a few days to think of other options. My carzing is really bad. I may just buy a new set.

Whaaaat? Mine was horrible; you could feel it with your fingernail. You just gotta sand the hell out of it, keeping it wet, and moving it in all directions. After all grits of sand paper are used up, give it a nice polish. I recently bought Meguiars PlastX. Great stuff.

[LWR100]

At the local shop here when i was talking to them about my car they pointed out how bad my lights were he said they always use toothpaste and the blue shop towels he said it works great i havent tried it yet i prob will sometime this week anyone else herd of this?

[ylimeRT01]

Whaaaat? Mine was horrible; you could feel it with your fingernail. You just gotta sand the hell out of it, keeping it wet, and moving it in all directions. After all grits of sand paper are used up, give it a nice polish. I recently bought Meguiars PlastX. Great stuff.

i did that maybee i got tired to quick..but i sanded the hell out of them and they are pretty smooth but you can still see it..

[Pearl01stratcpe]

i did that maybee i got tired to quick..but i sanded the hell out of them and they are pretty smooth but you can still see it..

What grit did you start with? I had to go all the way down to 320 mine were that bad. Then you let the others smooth out the previous grits scratches. Im thinkin you might have to get a more aggressive grit.

[ylimeRT01]

What grit did you start with? I had to go all the way down to 320 mine were that bad. Then you let the others smooth out the previous grits scratches. Im thinkin you might have to get a more aggressive grit.

i did 320 like you....cause mine are bad..

[nate_0022]

Think you need to use some elbow grease.

[ylimeRT01]

Think you need to use some elbow grease.

my elbows were deffintly greaseing..but i will try again.

[fatboyinfl]

my elbows were deffintly greaseing..but i will try again.

That sounds sooo dirty (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[ylimeRT01]

That sounds sooo dirty (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

it was LOL..and i tried again as well as having someone buff them and no luck.

[Pearl01stratcpe]

it was LOL..and i tried again as well as having someone buff them and no luck.

Well, if you have the time, and are able to, send them to me, all you gotta do it pay shipping for both ways. Ive done my headlights and the a neighbors headlights. The hazing/crazing bothers the hell outa me!

Lemme know. And no, im not just gonna steal your headlights..... (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[ylimeRT01]

Well, if you have the time, and are able to, send them to me, all you gotta do it pay shipping for both ways. Ive done my headlights and the a neighbors headlights. The hazing/crazing bothers the hell outa me!

Lemme know. And no, im not just gonna steal your headlights..... (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

it bothers me 2, i may just buy a new set, then i can have an extra set of stock.....i am planning on painting them and removing the amber like everyone else.

[nate_0022]

Or........... You could just get retrofits, with your new headlights (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[ylimeRT01]

Or........... You could just get retrofits, with your new headlights (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

that would be nice, but is it pricey? and how hard to install?

[nate_0022]

Not hard at all run the wire harness, mount the ballasts, connect wires and your done. Unless your talking about installing projectors into your headlights?

[ylimeRT01]

Not hard at all run the wire harness, mount the ballasts, connect wires and your done. Unless your talking about installing projectors into your headlights?

projectors would be cool..they look nice...but those are expensive.

[Devin 01 RT]

Nice write-up, I see this as this upcoming holiday weekend project, along with plugs+wires. ACK!

[ylimeRT01]

update, well after trying for weeks, lots of sanding and other options i gave in and ordered new lights! should be here in a few days..!!!

[Pearl01stratcpe]

update, well after trying for weeks, lots of sanding and other options i gave in and ordered new lights! should be here in a few days..!!!

SO, uh what are you doign with your old headlights? (IMG:http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

[ylimeRT01]

kepping them in case i need them...idk why you need them>>>?????