What causes the lens of a headlight to become cloudy & can you just replace the lens?

Question

I have a '97 Chrysler Sebring convertible with cloudy headlight lens, can the lens be corrected witout replaceing the whole headlight assembly?

Answer 1

Cloudy and yellowed? There is a UV film on lenses that starts to were off after a few years. It can be "fixed" but they won't look good as new. Meguire's has a 2 step plastic lens cleaner that works pretty good if they aren't that bad. I would try that first because if it doesn't work your not going to make the lens worse.

Answer 2

If you go to the autoparts store, like Pep Boys or something, head over to the car cleaners section and look for a small (about 5" tall) white bottle with a black cap. I think it may be called Plastix or something like that, but the brand is Maguires. I think there's actually a headlight on the front label. It's costs about $4 and with a wash cloth and a bit of elbow grease, you should be able to remove the surface fading with no problem. It works well on my '88 truck's headlights, so I imagine less-old ones would be fine.

Answer 3

Could be moisture. Pull it off and wipe out the inside with a paper towel (but that would be pretty obvious). Most likely it's just oxidation. That Flitz stuff (you know 'Take the Flitz challenge, Flitz it!!'), will certainly take care of business. It's kind of pricey, but a new headlight (you have to buy the whole unit, not just the lens) would be much more

Answer 4

The lense becomes cloudy from oxydation. You can replace the headlight or remove it fron yhe vehicle and watersand it with fine sandpaper then buff it and it should restore it to near perfect condition.That should save you some money and it works, I did it to one of mine and it ended up looking very clear.

Answer 5

The cheapest way would be to take it apart and clean the lens with bleach. You should also check your o-rings. I had the same problem a few weeks ago. It usually works.

Answer 6

what happens is they get a leak or crack in them and water gets in there and then condenses on the lens. its a very common problem. if you can just live with it, then do it. You might be able to replace the lens, but it will prob not do anything. there might be an O ring or gasket that is worn somewhere on it which may be replaceable.

overall i dont think its worth it though.

Answer 7

i have the same problem with my caravan. it age and sun lite that fades them but i was waxing it with a buffer and got some wax on the lens , so just to clean it off i rolled the buffer across it and it started to clear them up. not as good as new but very close.

Answer 8

They sell kits at the parts store to clean them. Directions are in the box.

Answer 9

i bet you got plastic covers,if so then they do get faded by the sun.i dont think you can just replace the covers by themselves,i think you need to change the whole bucket.

Answer 10

i own a repair shop,and i use a rubbing compound on them to buff them out with,,it makes them look like new again,,it takes a little work,,but you can make them look new again,,you,ll have to use a rough compound to cut it with,and a polishing compound to make them shine like new again,,but it works,,i do mine every six months or so,,or when ever they need it,,good luck i hope this help,s.