Headlights

Sunny315 · 11-06-2006, 03:38 PM

Whats up everybody! Im new here just got my 99 cougar this past wed. and shes already in the shop. (CEL came on) Anyway I think I saw this somewhere in the forums but my question is my headlights are weathered really bad you know the ugly yellow look. I wanted to know if any of you guys new where or how to clean them or do I just have to replace them? I saw something about wet sanding but I have the slightest idea of how to do that.

bensenvill · 11-06-2006, 03:45 PM

I've never tried any of the lens restoration products but they may help out with any pitting but the discoloration may be permanent.

Sunny315 · 11-06-2006, 03:59 PM

That really sucks!!! but thanks though, looks like I need to increase my budget now to accomadate my new headlight expense.

sonza68 · 11-06-2006, 04:04 PM

Wet sanding is pretty simple. It's pretty much just sanding, but you keep adding water to the surface to keep it wet. You would start with a rougher sandpaper to get the pits out and then progress to smoother sandpapers to remove the sanding scratches. The final step would end up as a polishing.

That being said, I haven't tried it on headlight lenses before, so I wouldn't know what kind of roughness to start with. Mine are pretty pitted, but I've just been living with it for now.

Sunny315 · 11-06-2006, 04:20 PM

Like I said above im thinking im just going to have to buy new ones. Hey do you think smoking them might work? Like I read on here people have been using NiteShade (I think thats what its called). Is this an option?

sonza68 · 11-06-2006, 04:29 PM

When taillights get niteshaded, they get a lot dimmer. That's fine for the taillights because they still glow enough to be noticeable, but it's not something I'd do to headlights.

Sunny315 · 11-06-2006, 05:11 PM

cool thanks

carajo · 11-06-2006, 06:11 PM

The restoration kits are $10 at AutoZone or Advance or whatever. Not a big investment to give a try. If it works, great, if not, you eat 1 less meal at McDonald's.

slurpee · 11-07-2006, 02:39 PM

there's a couple wrecked ones out off of 40 & 70. I don't know how the head lights are though. One was rolled.

Sunny315 · 11-07-2006, 02:52 PM

Hmmm, might just have to grab my tool kit and head out there

. I think I may try the autozone thing too if I cant find a good deal on buying some new ones or find some laying around.

My guess is that im doing this on the outside too right? (the sanding) just need to cover the car so that I wont damage the paint. Yes I am very new to all this. LOL

11-06-2006, 03:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sunny315 NECO Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: STL Posts: 89	Headlights Whats up everybody! Im new here just got my 99 cougar this past wed. and shes already in the shop. (CEL came on) Anyway I think I saw this somewhere in the forums but my question is my headlights are weathered really bad you know the ugly yellow look. I wanted to know if any of you guys new where or how to clean them or do I just have to replace them? I saw something about wet sanding but I have the slightest idea of how to do that.

11-06-2006, 03:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
bensenvill is moving his car Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 13,274 Blog Entries: 4	Re: Headlights I've never tried any of the lens restoration products but they may help out with any pitting but the discoloration may be permanent. __________________ 1994 Lincoln Towncar w/ 112576 1996 Contour SE MTX loaded w/ 137179 1999 Silver Frost ATX original owner w/ 70500 RUNNING!!!!

11-06-2006, 03:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sunny315 NECO Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: STL Posts: 89	Re: Headlights That really sucks!!! but thanks though, looks like I need to increase my budget now to accomadate my new headlight expense.

11-06-2006, 04:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sunny315 NECO Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: STL Posts: 89	Re: Headlights Like I said above im thinking im just going to have to buy new ones. Hey do you think smoking them might work? Like I read on here people have been using NiteShade (I think thats what its called). Is this an option?

11-06-2006, 05:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sunny315 NECO Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: STL Posts: 89	Re: Headlights cool thanks

11-06-2006, 06:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
carajo I have PMS. Your excuse? Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Schenectady, NY Posts: 3,899 Images: 19	Re: Headlights The restoration kits are $10 at AutoZone or Advance or whatever. Not a big investment to give a try. If it works, great, if not, you eat 1 less meal at McDonald's. __________________ 3.0 L ~ MTX They're going to pile their bodies over there!!! You're not spelling your words correctly. Eats, Shoots, & Leaves

11-07-2006, 02:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
slurpee NECO Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 988	Re: Headlights there's a couple wrecked ones out off of 40 & 70. I don't know how the head lights are though. One was rolled. __________________ you motor boatin' son of a

11-07-2006, 02:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
Sunny315 NECO Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: STL Posts: 89	Re: Headlights Hmmm, might just have to grab my tool kit and head out there . I think I may try the autozone thing too if I cant find a good deal on buying some new ones or find some laying around. My guess is that im doing this on the outside too right? (the sanding) just need to cover the car so that I wont damage the paint. Yes I am very new to all this. LOL

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