clemson_tiger

My c55 has the same issues that a lot of "newer" cars get with the clear headlights...they have dulled a little. Now my car does have 80k miles so it might be expected, but now I'm looking for a fix. I tried a polish kit from NAPA that did remove the texture from them, but didn't take away all of the dullness. Any ideas other than replacing the whole assemblies? Also, can I just by the lenses as opposed to the whole set-up?

mikekuriger

I believe it's the SUN that kills those lights. Luckily, I park in the garage at night and a parking garage at work during the day so mine still look like new (109,000 miles)

They may need to be sanded down and polished out but I'm not an expert!

Mike

JonMBZ

Nope they come with a complete assembly. If you already tried the sandpaper kit that is about all I know. Also since you probably sanded of the polycarbonate on the lights it will most likely get milky a lot quicker next time.

gt4awd

There was a seller on ebay with just the plastic lens, but he took down the auction before I could get one, and never offered them again...

cannonball55

Mine have gotten dull, and I plan on wetsanding and polishing them soon. I would suggest getting a clearbra type laminate to protect it. as thats the route I'm going.

TemjinX2

you basically need to sand it...like in the sanding kits you tried. Then there is also a polish made my meguiars that helps get rid of the cloudyness. I think its called meguiars plastic x or something. You can find them in autozone and kragens.

You usually use the polish after you finish sanding. It should get rid of some of the cloudness that the sanding missed.

The cloudyness comes from oxidation of the plastic from the sun. You can protect your head light cover just by waxing the head light. The wax has a coating to protect the car from UV light.

MarcusF

I called Superglass and had them do it. For $50, they drove out to my house and did all four. He wanted to wash the car when he was done, but it was a little too hot. When he was done they were very close to new. Ask your local MB dealer who does theirs. The same company will probably do yours.

King320

I almost did something similar, but found this kit and realized these guys must make HUGE margins cleaning headlights.

I used the Wolfgang kit from Autogeek. This kit or the Diamondite are the best kits. They come with two polishing pads, backing plate, adapter for a drill, and compounds.

$60 gets you enough to do 6-8 cars.


http://www.autogeek.net/plastik-lens-cleaning.html

My before and Afters

before:


after:


Took about 30 mins, kit also contains a sealant to keep them from re-fogging with further exposure to UV rays. If you have clear headlights (bixenons, etc) you will get even better results. Wife's lexus below.

King320

Never do that. Pretty much a good rule of thumb is if you can find it at a Walmart, NAPA, Advance Auto, etc. it DOESNT belong on your car.

Check out these sites if you want some good detailing stuff that wont mess up your car.

http://www.autopia.org/

http://www.autogeek.net/

http://www.zainostore.com/

mikekuriger

wait, I buy all my oil there! lol

TemjinX2

i used the 3M one from autozone for $20. Seemed to work fine. I just did some final touches with the meguairs stuff.

JonMBZ

I heard this as well from a guy that owns a company doing this. He told me he works 3 days a week and makes over 100k a year. Pretty good living for being self-employed. I believe he charges $100 per job though. $50 to me is worth not hassling with it IMO and I didn't realize they put a sealant on them and If I did I might have done it at the time.

RLx02

Check the detailing forum. Some guy cleaned up his e-class i believe from a dull finish to almost brand new via wet sanding and some polishing compounds.

After you get your lenses refinished, go to a local tint shop and have them put 3m guard on the headlights to prevent more pitting and damage. I have a 2 or 3mm thick guard on my headlights and basically my whole front end.