Will sandpaper work to clean car headlights ?

Question

Someone told me use water and sandpaper that will do the trick I have a 2000 dodge intrepid with foggy headlights they are suppose to be clear but instead they are yellow and have what looks like sun damage a little will sand paper help ?

Answer 1

Yes, but you will need more!

Buy very fine grit wet sand paper, like 1500-3000 grit.

Remove your headlight from the car or mask off the surrounding paint.

Sand the plastic lightly and fast while applying water.

they should look pasty and dull all over now.

Use a cutting compound, like polish but coarse, with a buffing wheel attachment for your standard drill.

Follow with a polish and a new buffing wheel.

repeat.

repeat.

and again, until it looks good.

you should be in better shape now, but a coat or anything like scratch-x or a standard plastic polish can be added as a final polishing step.

Apply your favorite wax.

You can do all of this, or there is a kit you can buy that includes everything, even the buffing wheels plus an anti-yellowing compound.

something like this link is what your looking for, but you can find the same thing cheaper I'm sure.

http://www.detailking.com/content/view/33/58/

PS: I can't really believe people are telling you to go to a salvage yard... you can try, but these cars have been sitting in the sun even longer than yours, I can't imagine you'd find a better pair of lenses there, and I've done a tone of scrap yarding.

Answer 2

Regular sandpaper may be a little too rough, try water and an abrasive cleaner such as Soft Scrub or Comet, or Bar keeps friend. Like bathroom tile cleaner. It will provide enough grit to clear the lense but not scuff it up too bad. It will take some elbow grease, and keep it wet while working the cleaner into the clouded lense. Rinse well and clean with a soft rag, it should make a big difference in your visibility.

Answer 3

Nope. Put "Headlight lens cleaner" into a good search engine. I got Showing results 1-10 of 93,400. Or go to the parts store and ask for it. It will clean them up and not scratch like sandpaper would.

Answer 4

well,this is a common problem for dodge and ford cars because the headlights are made of plastic,and trust me the sandpaper thing does not work,it helps for a bit but it comes back worst.you can try a new product avalible at advance auto,its a kit made for this problem comes with polish and some tools that might work,but the only sure way to fix this is to replace them

Answer 5

Better to use some plastic polish from the auto parts store. Sandpaper will turn them foggy and white... not clear. Ask for McGuires plastic polish.

Answer 6

Actually I take a grinder to my every 2 months. I use the 80 grit sandpaper and it works great.

Answer 7

Try a product like Meguiar's PlastX. Most auto parts stores and discount stores should carry it or be able to order it. If the PlastX doesn't work, get some new lenses from an auto wrecking yard.

Answer 8

I have used 1500 grit wet or dry sandpaper then used a comercial buffer and rubbing compound.. it worked but a lot of work.. I assume their plastic covers..

Answer 9

f yo do it you need to buy 220 grit sand paper lots of flowing water and rub very lightly pay close attention becuz as soon as you begin to see scratches on your lenses u know its not gonna work... It can be done but its best to just buy new ones and make sure they are comletely sealed off....now give me my 10 pts

Answer 10

You need to go to a body shop supply house and get some Autosol polish, a 3' buff, and a 1/4' arbor. then get out your electric drill and buff out the head light lens.