Headlight lenses really DIRTY

[Hartman]

I just ordered clear corners, I'm ditching my headlight covers. BUT, my headlight lenses are SUPER DIRTY! Take a look below.

I want to know what the best thing to clean these with because I want them to match the clear corners when they come. I was thinking about letting them soak in Simple Green for a few hours, or possibly using Bon Ami on them. What are your thoughts?

 

[espnfreak]

I am thinking about adding this of my "to do list" once i get time. I believe any type of shine should work on them.

 

[expo5.0]

formula 420 is the best solution, if you know what that is. also meguires clear plastic stuff works well if your only cleaning the outside

 

[Dan Whitaker]

I would use some NOVUS 2 fine scratch remover followed by NOVUS 1 cleaner/polish.

 

[Jason_25]

Might just be me, but they don't look dirty!

Mine are twice as bad at that atleast and I took mine off and scrubbed and polished them for about 3 hours.

 

[james t]

i have the same problem. my clears are all new and shiny and my headlights look like ass. all of the dirt is on the inside. i just havent taken the time to take them off and do it, though.

 

[Hartman]

Originally posted by Dan Whitaker
I would use some NOVUS 2 fine scratch remover followed by NOVUS 1 cleaner/polish.

Where do you get that stuff at?

 

[Dan Whitaker]

I would try an auto paint suplier. I have not seen it in a regular part store like Auto Zone or Advanced Auto. I got mine at a hobby shop as it can be used to polish paint on model car kits. If you can't find it localyyou can get it from Micro-Mark.
There web address is www.micromark.com.
The part #'s from Micro-Mark are as folows
82455 NOVUS 1 $4.45
82456 NOVUS 2 $6.25
or the best deal is #82462 for $13.50 which includes a 2oz bottle of NOVUS 1,2 and 3(heavy scratch remover) plus 2 polising clothes. You could also use the NOVUS on your tail lights and third brake light to make them nice and shiny.

 

[mgv366]

IS THERE A WAY TO TAKE THE "LENSES" OFF AND CLEAN INSIDE THEM? MINE ARE CLEAN ON THE OUTSIDE BUT I CAN SEE THE DIRT ON THE INSIDE.

 

[expo5.0]

yeah, thats what i did with the formula 420. i don't know the process on a 1st gen though.

 

[Hartman]

My problem is not on the outside, it's on the inside. I do plan on taking them out and letting some cleaner soak in them when the weather gets better.

I may just buy some new ones from a 98-00 that I know are new and clear. If anybody has some to sell, PM or e-mail me.

 

[expo5.0]

hartman- they really don't look that bad. why not just save your money for other mods?

 

[Hartman]

The pics don't do them justice really, they're dirtier than the pics show. I'm gonna try to clean them first. My guess is that they've never been cleaned since the truck came from the factory. If I'm not satisfied with that I'm just going to get new ones.

I need to save up and get some performance stuff.

 

[espnfreak]

hartman, if they project light, i dont see the need to get totally new lights.

 

[expo5.0]

where'd you order the clears from? i'll post a pic of mine from the crappy ebay seller (i got em for 40) so you can get a sense of their coloration.
my headlights had never been cleaned either before i did it a few months ago. also as you can see there is some yellow shining through in the corners despite my painting them. its far better than not painting the bulbs, but we still need to find a better solution. any ideas?

 

[Hartman]

I got my clears from Pacific IE. Drew, your headlight lenses are WAY clearer than mine. Mine are all milky brown, I can't even see the bulb in the housing. Once this snow melts I'll rip those suckers out and try to clean them.

Did you miss a spot on the bulbs maybe? There's a thread somewhere about amber LED's that might work good.