How to: Cleaning Solutions for a Plastic Headlight

Plastic headlight covers have aerodynamic advantages over the older sealed-beam headlights. They also have significant advantages in illumination. But they have drawbacks as well. One such drawback is the discoloration of the lens due to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Cleaning solutions, or more precisely, polishing the headlight lens, is necessary to restore maximum illumination. Headlights not cleaned acquire a foggy appearance severely decreasing their effectiveness.

Instructions

1

Tape the area around the headlight lens to protect the paint. Open the restoration kit and remove all the components. Place the rubber disc on the drill. This tool holds the sanding pads.

2

Place a 2000-grit sandpaper disc on the drill. Kits may have different grit sandpaper so use the roughest to start with, which would be the lowest number and progress upward. Sand the lens in a straight line from side to side and up and down with a very small pressure. Keep the drill moving continuously without pausing in one location or the plastic will heat up and melt. Do not circle the drill. Continue sanding until the lens is milky and smooth.

3

Replace the 2000-grit sandpaper with the next higher 4000-grit and repeat the process. Replace the sanding disc with the highest 5000-grit disc. Sand the lens until extremely clear.

4

Remove the sanding disc and replace it with the buffing sponge. Place a dime-sized spot of the provided compound in the middle of the sponge. Rub the compound on the lens and buff the lens until it is perfectly clear. Add compound to the buffing sponge, as necessary to achieve the perfect lens. Remove the masking tape and wipe the lens and paint clean with the rags.