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  #1  
Old 11-03-2010, 07:55 PM
Bighomedog11 Bighomedog11 is offline
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Default Cleaning Headlights?

Hey I am wondering what is the best way to clean my headlights to get them back clear again? They got a little smug and yellow stuff on them from the light burning so much. I know there is kits to remove that to clear them but i was wondering is there anything else i can get instead of having to do the whole kit process? Any kind of spray or something
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97"Ford Ranger 2.3L

Mods: Headlights 8k HIDs, Green Fogs HIDs, FlowMaster 40 Series, Tails lights, Shaved Tail gate,Roll pan, 5/6 lowered, Ibeams, 2in coils, Flip kit, Honda Metallic Paint

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  #2  
Old 11-03-2010, 07:58 PM
terryduanemiller terryduanemiller is offline
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Default Re: Cleaning Headlights?

inside? not mauch u can do.. outside? keep 'em waxed.
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  #3  
Old 11-03-2010, 08:00 PM
Bighomedog11 Bighomedog11 is offline
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Default Re: Cleaning Headlights?

Yeah the outside. I know there's away to clean them to make them back crisp clear again.
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97"Ford Ranger 2.3L

Mods: Headlights 8k HIDs, Green Fogs HIDs, FlowMaster 40 Series, Tails lights, Shaved Tail gate,Roll pan, 5/6 lowered, Ibeams, 2in coils, Flip kit, Honda Metallic Paint

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  #4  
Old 11-03-2010, 08:15 PM
CrimeStar CrimeStar is offline
Ford Motor Co
 
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Default Re: Cleaning Headlights?

wetsand them with a really fine grit, then buff them would be my suggestion.
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  #5  
Old 11-03-2010, 08:23 PM
azgilamonster azgilamonster is offline
grumpy old ford driver
 
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Default Re: Cleaning Headlights?

I used 2000 grit wet sand and then wipe down with rubbing alcohol then when completley dry spray with clear coat.
mine look like brand new. I learned this from an old car salesman
mine are crystal clear again, he said it last about 1-2 years
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2001 Ranger Edge 4x4 , Stepside,FRF decals, 4.0L SOHC decals, Primus IQ brake controller, curt 2" rec. hitch, custom winch mount,
Tinted glass, Yellow BUGGMAN OVALS a real treat to have. OHC, CB, night vision goggles, 36" periscope,
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  #6  
Old 11-03-2010, 08:26 PM
terryduanemiller terryduanemiller is offline
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Default Re: Cleaning Headlights?

waxing will work fine, lil elbow grease wont hurt-cha.... if you're not use to a buffer, you can melt the plastic quick (screw 'em up beyond repair)... if u do want to buff, like crimestar said fine sand paper, wet sand with no coarser than 1200, then buff (light pressure ..fine mist water on while buffing will keep buffing pad wet and cool to prevent over heating plastic), then finish with wax..

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to prevent aging, you can clear them, when preping 1500-2000 sand paper only, or scratches will show and b hazy.. make sure to clean with a good prep solvent to remove any dust or contaminates before clearing.. and if you use a good automotive clear like Dupont or R-M.. they'll keep for many, many years
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1999 MAZDA 2500SE, 2.5L 4-clanger, 5 speed, Green n slow. Rangers as daily drivers since 1988.
ASE Certified Mechanic, Builder of Show Destroying Protouring and Classic cars..
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  #7  
Old 11-03-2010, 08:41 PM
Bighomedog11 Bighomedog11 is offline
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Default Re: Cleaning Headlights?

Quote:
Originally Posted by azgilamonster View Post
I used 2000 grit wet sand and then wipe down with rubbing alcohol then when completley dry spray with clear coat.
mine look like brand new. I learned this from an old car salesman
mine are crystal clear again, he said it last about 1-2 years
You spray your lights with clear coat spray paint?

What kind of wax should i use? I do have some lithium grease..
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97"Ford Ranger 2.3L

Mods: Headlights 8k HIDs, Green Fogs HIDs, FlowMaster 40 Series, Tails lights, Shaved Tail gate,Roll pan, 5/6 lowered, Ibeams, 2in coils, Flip kit, Honda Metallic Paint

DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT
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  #8  
Old 11-05-2010, 02:21 PM
TXCOMT TXCOMT is offline
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Default Re: Cleaning Headlights?

To be honest, mine have stayed nice and clear since I had a local tint shop put 3M headlight safety film on 'em. Through thousands of miles in Colorado and Montana (and now Texas), they've done the job. The stuff even held together one of the stock foglight lenses after it received a nasty, direct hit from a rock. It's great. Here's a link to what I believe is the same stuff.

Mike H.
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  #9  
Old 11-05-2010, 02:34 PM
azgilamonster azgilamonster is offline
grumpy old ford driver
 
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Default Re: Cleaning Headlights?

never waxed mine, and only had the headlights done about 5k miles ago and even traveld from AZ to MO and no problems.
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2001 Ranger Edge 4x4 , Stepside,FRF decals, 4.0L SOHC decals, Primus IQ brake controller, curt 2" rec. hitch, custom winch mount,
Tinted glass, Yellow BUGGMAN OVALS a real treat to have. OHC, CB, night vision goggles, 36" periscope,
DiabloAmarillo = The Yellow Devil
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  #10  
Old 11-05-2010, 02:40 PM
MattFetters MattFetters is offline
Ford Tough
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 427
Default Re: Cleaning Headlights?

3M makes a good kit for restoring them, afterwards, you could look in to picking up some lamin-x on www.lamin-x.com
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2003 v6 3.0
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  #11  
Old 11-05-2010, 09:38 PM
2010 2010 is offline
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Default Re: Cleaning Headlights?

any special wax or stuff to protect them?? what about putting armor all on the headlights when a truck is new??
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2010 Ranger XL Reg. Cab 4 cyl... 5 speed manual... W/reverse.

Mods: 5% tint on rear window, JVC KDHDR40 Headunit, Kicker KS-68 speakers, Kicker TCVT102 (10TCVT102) Sub, JVC DRVN KSAX3102 Amp, JVC DRVN KSAX3101D mono amp, Ford black rubber mat, White LED license plate lights. Added 6000k HID Fogs, 6000k Digital HID Heads.

This isn't gramhar skool so dont cry and whine about spelling.
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  #12  
Old 11-05-2010, 09:58 PM
terryduanemiller terryduanemiller is offline
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Default Re: Cleaning Headlights?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2010 View Post
any special wax or stuff to protect them?? what about putting armor all on the headlights when a truck is new??
armor all will wash off, any wax will work, I suggest good wax.... but anything is better than none

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bighomedog11 View Post
Yeah the outside. I know there's away to clean them to make them back crisp clear again.
the 3M bug shield does work nicely, find a RV/coach dealership.. usually theres a guy around that does the 3M shield repairs/add-ons. most guys will do head lights for $20.00 ....the 3M product is clear as glass but soft n rubbery feeling, it will deflect rocks and other abrasives, and UV protect the lenses

----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by TXCOMT View Post
To be honest, mine have stayed nice and clear since I had a local tint shop put 3M headlight safety film on 'em. Through thousands of miles in Colorado and Montana (and now Texas), they've done the job. The stuff even held together one of the stock foglight lenses after it received a nasty, direct hit from a rock. It's great. Here's a link to what I believe is the same stuff.

Mike H.
the 3M bug shield does work nicely, find a RV/coach dealership.. usually theres a guy around that does the 3M shield repairs/add-ons. most guys will do head lights for $20.00 ....the 3M product is clear as glass but soft n rubbery feeling, it will deflect rocks and other abrasives, and UV protect the lenses
__________________
MY BUILD THREAD
1999 MAZDA 2500SE, 2.5L 4-clanger, 5 speed, Green n slow. Rangers as daily drivers since 1988.
ASE Certified Mechanic, Builder of Show Destroying Protouring and Classic cars..
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  #13  
Old 11-05-2010, 09:58 PM
2010 2010 is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,196
Default Re: Cleaning Headlights?

regular turtle wax for body panels or it must be plastic specific??
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2010 Ranger XL Reg. Cab 4 cyl... 5 speed manual... W/reverse.

Mods: 5% tint on rear window, JVC KDHDR40 Headunit, Kicker KS-68 speakers, Kicker TCVT102 (10TCVT102) Sub, JVC DRVN KSAX3102 Amp, JVC DRVN KSAX3101D mono amp, Ford black rubber mat, White LED license plate lights. Added 6000k HID Fogs, 6000k Digital HID Heads.

This isn't gramhar skool so dont cry and whine about spelling.
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