The headlights on my car have a yucky white film on them. What will clean it off? I've tried Windex and some p

Question

I've also tried white vinegar and Brasso.

Answer 1

You can't clean it with any household remedies. You take it to a shop and they use a treatment like Wynn's headlight cleaner, it takes about half an hour. Or you buy something from a place like Autozone specifically for cleaning the surface of plastic lenses. There is one called Meguiar's Plastx for plastic lenses. It should be about $10. Vinegar and Brasso may damage the lens beyond cleaning.

Update: today I purchased Meguiar's Plastx at Wal-Martand used it on my headlamps. It takes about 10 minutes per headlight, and there is a visible difference. Make sure the lights are off and cool, and do it in the evening shade. Do one light, and turn them on for a moment to see the remarkable difference.

Answer 2

same problem happens to gm composite headlights and the turnsignal assemblies used on the 90's series trucks. If cleaning them doesnt work with polishing compound, or the stuff they sell at autozone for this particular problem, you could remove the assemblies and shoot them with duplicolor clear, i've found that it makes for a moderate improvement. it lasts about 6 months to a year. but ive fund the only real repair for these is a replacement

Answer 3

go to the store and get turtle wax rubbing compound. this WILL clean it up with in a few minutes. i use it all the time.
take a dry cloth and take alittle of the compound and rub it all over the headlight. then use clean cloth to remove the paste and viola like new.

Answer 4

Any auto polish or rubbing compound should do a fine job of removing it. Just make sure it has a "cleaner" type polish (mild abrasive).

If you don't have that, there are plastic polishes available that will do an even better job of removing that stuff, which is most likely oxidized or sun-damaged plastic.

Answer 5

Often the white film is on the inside when water or vapor gets in the headlights. If it is truly on the outside, give Lime-Away or CLR a try.

Answer 6

Its on the inside of the headlight fixture.

If you want you can get a tooth brush or something inside and try to clean it that way.

Its hard to get in there without cracking open the fixture

Answer 7

There is a product called Plastx at O'Reilly Auto Parts that is made espically for that purpose.

Answer 8

Goof Off removes ink, glue, paint, caulk, and so on. I would rub Goof Off into it, and then scrape it off with a razor blade. A small tin can of it only cost a couple bucks at a home center. Goof Off calls itself the ultimate remover.

http://www.valsparglobal.com/val/resident/goof-off.jsp

Answer 9

this is also a symptom that plagues Volvo's 'semi tractors' division. try to find out if there was a recall on the lens. unfortunately the only best solution is replacement.

Answer 10

Go to your local car parts store. They have a product especially made for that.