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Foggy headlights

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  #1  
Old 03-19-2008 | 10:21 AM
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Default Foggy headlights

The headlights on my Stang are quite foggy. I was talking to some people at work who work a lot on their cars (4 of them, all 4 drive Honda Preludes) and they said I could get something from Auto Zone called by maguires. Some sort of headlight cleaner. Someone said they had been using it every day for 2 weeks and it is just now starting to look better. Has anyone used this or anything like it? Or should i just shill out the $199 for smoked clear corner headlights?
 
  #2  
Old 03-19-2008 | 10:27 AM
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if u have the 99/00 chrome lights or whatever the stock ones are, the **** usually doesnt come clean.. i tried with mine for awhile and just got new lights
 
  #3  
Old 03-19-2008 | 10:51 AM
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here is a write up on how to fix them: http://www.3.8mustang.com/forum/show...ht+restoration

however sometimes in the long run your better off just buying new ones
 
  #4  
Old 03-19-2008 | 10:59 AM
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Its fairly easy to clean up the headlights. It takes some wet sanding and polishing. That is a fine write up, but I wouldnt start with 600 grit. Start with something lighter and if that doesnt work, then go to something more aggressive. The stuff from Meguiars is Plast X, looks like thats what the guy who did that write up used also.
 
  #5  
Old 03-19-2008 | 11:10 AM
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were in the same boat . im just ordering new headlights this week.
 
  #6  
Old 03-19-2008 | 11:28 AM
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i tryed to fix mine, but if there foggy on both sides of the of the plastic if wont work.
 
  #7  
Old 03-19-2008 | 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by 3.8for the win
i tryed to fix mine, but if there foggy on both sides of the of the plastic if wont work.
I can't tell, but it looks like it is on both sides. I think I might just buy some new ones, I can spare $199
 
  #8  
Old 03-19-2008 | 11:56 AM
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New headlights FTW
 
  #9  
Old 03-19-2008 | 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Lazerred6
New headlights FTW
X2, but I have wet sanded a couple of sets of headlights and it helps alot. I started with 800 grit and then stepped up progressively to 2000, then finished with plastic restoring stuff. It cleared up the yellowing of the 99/00 headlights and helped with the cloudyness of 01+ headlights.
 
  #10  
Old 03-19-2008 | 12:23 PM
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Okay this weekend I am going to try and wet sand them myself, see how they look. And if I need to I will get some new ones. Thanks for the advice everyone! I just joined here and already have learned more in the few days than I have in years beforehand.
 
  #11  
Old 03-19-2008 | 03:38 PM
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I wetsanded and polished my friend's headlights on his passatt last week. Used Meguiar's Plast-x to polish.

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started with 800 grit.
 
  #12  
Old 03-19-2008 | 04:08 PM
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Did you do yours by hand or with a polisher/sander? If I need the tools I can probably hit up my Uncles body shop.
 
  #13  
Old 03-19-2008 | 04:18 PM
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That's a big improvement on that Passatt, good job. I did mine by hand, but I would have liked to try using a polisher or something.
 
  #14  
Old 03-19-2008 | 04:29 PM
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Did it by hand

and thanks
 
  #15  
Old 03-19-2008 | 04:30 PM
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wow those vdub lights look a lot better
 
  #16  
Old 03-19-2008 | 04:57 PM
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+1 did a great job on those pcola
 
  #17  
Old 03-19-2008 | 11:05 PM
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Got my new headlights a few weeks ago and they look great. Try this place online, they accept paypal too. Fast shipping also.. I paid about $135.00.

http://www.1aauto.com/
 
  #18  
Old 03-19-2008 | 11:25 PM
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Originally Posted by rebelyell
Got my new headlights a few weeks ago and they look great. Try this place online, they accept paypal too. Fast shipping also.. I paid about $135.00.

http://www.1aauto.com/
eh, i dont like em.
 
  #19  
Old 03-19-2008 | 11:32 PM
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at work we used 1500 grit sand paper to wet sand then rubbing compound with a buffing wheel on a drill then use polish and a foam wheel to finish. comes out great.
 
  #20  
Old 03-19-2008 | 11:48 PM
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Originally Posted by V6_Mustang_Power
eh, i dont like em.
What's not to like? Only thing is you need your turn signal bulbs. They look exactly like the OEM stock lights and fit perfect. Headlights don't stay new looking forever..


 
  #21  
Old 03-19-2008 | 11:53 PM
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you said 135 :/ it says 132+17shipping
 
  #22  
Old 03-19-2008 | 11:56 PM
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nvm.. 150 shipped. but eh still a good price. how fast was shipping? they look good?
 
  #23  
Old 03-20-2008 | 06:44 PM
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I just went and bought myself some masking tape, 800-1000-1500 grit wetanddry sandpaper, and some PlastX to polish them with when I am done. I will do this tomorrow, obviously take pictures of the before and after. Will a polyfiber towel be okay to apply the PlastX? And I think someone said to make sure to apply a clear coat when I am done with the job, what brand should I be looking to buy?

And for someone who has done this. How long did you spend sanding with each grit of sandpaper?
 
  #24  
Old 03-20-2008 | 08:30 PM
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About 5-10 minutes with each piece of sand paper, I used a microfiber-applicator to apply and work in the plast-x, and spent a good 20 minutes working the polish in.
 
  #25  
Old 03-20-2008 | 09:36 PM
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Did you just use the PlastX or did you spray a clear coat over that?
 
  #26  
Old 03-20-2008 | 09:48 PM
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n ot to hi-jack the thread but im also interesed in doign this. so all i'll need is 800-1000-1500 wet or dry sandpaper? whats the differentce between them? do you pour water on em to make it wet? lol but after im done all i need to do is polish it with plastx?
 
  #27  
Old 03-20-2008 | 10:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Crimsonred02
Did you just use the PlastX or did you spray a clear coat over that?
Didn't use a clearcoat, chances are the clearcoat will peel off anyway because of UV exposure. You'll just have to polish them up a bit with plast-x every once in a while.
 
  #28  
Old 03-20-2008 | 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted by V6_Mustang_Power
n ot to hi-jack the thread but im also interesed in doign this. so all i'll need is 800-1000-1500 wet or dry sandpaper? whats the differentce between them? do you pour water on em to make it wet? lol but after im done all i need to do is polish it with plastx?
Yeah the sandpaper will actually say wet/dry on it. Basically means you can sand with it wet, or you can sand with it dry. Just keep water on it while you sand your headlights.
 
  #29  
Old 03-20-2008 | 10:49 PM
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lol alright, thank you
 
  #30  
Old 03-20-2008 | 10:56 PM
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It's best to keep flowing water over the light while your sanding.
 



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