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Keeping new headlights from oxidizing | Autopia Forum-Auto Detailing & Car Care Discussion Forum

Keeping new headlights from oxidizing

I always polish & wax my headlights with whatever I am using for the rest of the car. Haven`t had an issue yet.
 
I had my new headlights PPF’d right away before I installed them (lost my original pair to a Bambi encounter).

About 7 years later and 150,000 miles and they still look like new.
 
My headlights are 17 years old I really can’t get the plastic clean any more. Having the headlights turned on is just like not having them on at all there that bad. I cleaned them a couple of times but it only last a couple off weeks. I am probably due for new headlights. Thanks.
I wanted to know when the plastic is new how to keep it clear. Thanks.
 
Bull6791 said:
My headlights are 17 years old I really can’t get the plastic clean any more. Having the headlights turned on is just like not having them on at all there that bad. I cleaned them a couple of times but it only last a couple off weeks. I am probably due for new headlights. Thanks.
I wanted to know when the plastic is new how to keep it clear. Thanks.
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Amigo !
The UV Protection in the original plastic of the headlights eventually goes away, and I have never seen anything that will just clean the yellow that the plastic turns too, off..
What I have always done to yellowed plastic headlights is compound all the yellow off of them, then, get ppf already made for the headlights from the internet, and install it..
If you get your headlights compounded and all the yellow is gone and they are perfectly clear again, how about going down to those ppf shops close by and asking them how much to apply their ppf to the lights??
The only other way that would be temporary, would be to compound them all perfectly clear, then spray something like Meguiars Headlight Coating on them..
You don`t really need to buy new, really expensive headlights, unless you really want to.. Then, you have to remove the entire headlight assembly off each side and install the new ones..
Good luck with this !
Dan F
 
Best way is to keep them in a garage. If that`s not available regular washing and a good spray wax and they`ll be fine. Automatic car washes seem to be very unkind to them based on my observations.
 
Always include the lenses when waxing or coating the vehicle. Never have had an issue. Had one vehicle for 8 years without any hazing.
 
I use OCW on all plastic lenses even if the rest of the vehicle wears a different LSP. Even without doing that I`ve never had a problem (and some of mine are decades old), but I figure the UV-blockers in the OWC will provide some added protection, and it only takes a moment.
 
They do make pre cut PPF for headlights. Xpel i believe. Or like I do, i keep them coated with a good spray coating. Same with taillights.
 
My headlights are starting to go bad at 8 years old. I did not notice it until recently when the sun hit it. I usually gave them a coat of wax/sealant when I did the rest of the car. It sits out 24/7.
 
pgp said:
My headlights are starting to go bad at 8 years old. I did not notice it until recently when the sun hit it. I usually gave them a coat of wax/sealant when I did the rest of the car. It sits out 24/7.
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It seems a lot of LSPs don`t really provide any UV Protection, hence my always reaching for the OCW. Yeah, this is probably one of those things that can creep up on you..like, you don`t notice it until it`s a headache. Pretty amazing that none of mine went bad before I stumbled across the Optimum.
 
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