Cleaning the yellow layer of grime off the 1G headlights

[Dieselboy]

Disgusting...how do I clean this layer of a$s off my headlights? I was thinking brake fluid, gasoline, or thinner? Any/all work? Im assuming theres a huge difference when you clean this grime off correct?

 

[4g63tc]

ok this is how i remove the haze from my head lights....i use 3m rubbing compound (fine cut) and a power buffer.

it takes a while but really cleans up the surface.

 

[EclipseRicer04]

use Mothers Mag and Aluminim Polish, made me 1G head lights look brand new, only around 4$, perfect for all finishes

 

[Megaman]

i use chrome polish or toothpaste

 

[wadofplastic]

No joke, about toothpaste working, really.

I had mentioned my dismay with the yellow ghetto mess headlamp lenses to a mechanic mate --

and made mention of the seemingly laborious and ubiquitous sanding ritual
to which he replyed:

"Why would you want to do all that...you can use tooth paste, just make sure that it's advertised baking soda kind".

I asked him if he was joking, because it sounded like needing to check headlight fluid or something.

So, one recent day...
With a smile masking what was really a smirk, I set out to see.

It doesn't take a lot, of toothpaste that is -- just schmear it on.

I asked him if I should let it soak.

"If you want." he said, "but buff it, like you were waxing the body".

With not much elbow grease extruded, the yellow'd grime lifted and revealed!
Shiny Headlights!
YAY!

I did two coats on each, two months ago -- and they still look pretty smashing.

What I don't know is if:
this formula is equal to,
better than,
or less than others out there,
but it did clean them up, and they still look pretty spiffy.

I'll snag a picture tomorrow, when there's more light / less pounds of snow everywhere.

-anzdy

 

[Defiant]

Nice response to a 2002 thread. You might be entertained by one of the many Technical Articles about doing this job, too.