De-oxidize the headlights tips and homemade concoction
 

Ok so my headlights arent that badly oxidized. But they do have a little around the edges. I want to get rid of this and also do yall have anything that would clean a completely oxidized headlight( for my dads truck)

A quick fix is to simply polish them with rubbing compound and polishing compound on a terry cloth rag. My father did this to his 03 taurus and it really worked well, but it doesn't last long.

What needs to happen is the oxidized (or crazed) plastic removed entirely then the headlight sealed with a UV resistant clearcoat. I've used this method myself several times on six cargo/third brake light lenses and my mother's headlights. Here, this video is what I use specifically and it turns out very well. Just don't expect to be done within 5 minutes. This takes time. Give it a day for each headlight from start to finish.



3M also makes a headlight restoration kit, which can be seen used by EricTheCarGuy also on Youtube, particurally on a Subaru, a Chrysler Town & Country minivan, and a Ford Contour, the latter of the two within the Fixing It Forward series. Pic your poison, although I prefer Chris's method.

Any headlight restoration kit can help you but I recommend a brand that comes with a clearcoat like the Sylvania kit.

Oxidized headlights
 

my headlight were pretty badly glazed and yellow, so a friend said try brake fluid. I had a little left in a bottle, put it on a rag and with a good wipe it had it a lot clearer and then a clean rag to wipe. Looks much better but not sure of long term effects.

I would be very careful about using brake fluid or any kind of solvent. I am pretty sure headlights are made of polycarbonate (Lexan) and it is very susceptible to crazing when exposed to solvents. I think brake fluid has solvent like properties.

After some of the other strange remedies, I figure its worth a shot and maybe i'll try some alcohol or other agent to stop process. Thank you for your reply, I am on tight budget and willing to try things before spending alot. It is the fun little supercab beastie I have wanted, for a good price and lot of fixable flaws.

+100 on post #2. It takes a bit of time, but if you want them to look good, this works. Finish with a non-yellowing, UV resistant clear coat or two. I used this exact method when I fixed mine and the results were amazing.

I did the sanding /polishing on my Odysseys headlights , looked great for a few months , then back to fuzzy . The B3000 , I just went ahead and bought new headlights , I figure they should at least give me a couple years .

I just got new lights.. front and rear for less than a 100 bucks

Yea ebay i got a set for my 2001 for $34 shipped... with bulbs....darn resto kits are at least $20. You will never get the old lights 100% clear again. To prevent them from yellowing in the future use a good wax on them at least once a month - kind you buff on let haze and wipe off. Prevents UV damage. Fun to try things tho - deep woods off sprayed on em works wonders for awhile as well.

I second this comment. I also purchased a set of eBay for 2004 for $34.00 that included the headlights and side markers. They look great and they're super easy to install. Just doesn't make sense to put all the work into resto.

A guy I worked with used to use ATF. Just a bit on a rag, one light pass with the rag and it was crystal clear. Everyone would ooh and aah. It only lasted a couple days though.

Edit: oops, I didn't realize how old this thread was.

This is one of those threads that NEEDS to stay up.
Never know when, where, what will come out next to EZ clean our PP headlights. (PP - Pathetic Plastic)

Just to add on restoring headlights, once after sanding, compounding and polishing you can add a ceramic coating. it will last years without yellowing. Any brand of ceramic coating will do.