Anybody have any good tips for removing fog on headlights? Our 2004 Honda Pilot is getting just a little bit at the top and it is driving me crazy.
Before you buy one of the fancy kits, try some polish followed by a good coat of automotive wax. The polish removes tiny scratches and the wax will fill the big ones. Don't use rubbing compound. It's too coarse.
The kits at car parts store are about $20. If you have a drill, you can fix it yourself, very nicely. I used Maquiers, but most will probably do the same. Did 4 cars and still have stuff left.
So much cheaper than a new headlight!
Thanks. Haze on headlights is a huge pet peeve of mine. I don't know why, but it is
Moving away from glass headlights is just another one of those cheesy things that auto makers have foisted on us.
toothPASTE and elbowgrease
Quote from: JCnOwasso on June 15, 2011, 02:31:44 PM
toothPASTE and elbowgrease
Does that really work? I've heard of it before but I don't want to damage the headlights.
Watched them do a segment on horsepower TV about it. it performed fairly well.
Toothpaste is just fair. Most don't have enough grit. And it takes a LOT of elbow grease. I tried the corner of one light before buying the kit. It works, just not worth it. More cost effective time-wise to buy new lights! Even if time is only worth $5 an hour like mine is.
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on June 15, 2011, 08:46:14 PM
Even if time is only worth $5 an hour like mine is.
Complaining about being overpaid again?
Yep. I need a pay cut! And I bet if the Republicontins get elected to majorities next time, I will achieve my dream...again.
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on June 15, 2011, 09:13:03 PM
Yep. I need a pay cut! And I bet if the Republicontins get elected to majorities next time, I will achieve my dream...again.
Be patriotic. Step up for a pay cut regardless of who wins any elections.
:D
I have been. Since the late 70's.
Every year.
Toothpaste is about as effective on removing haze as it is on reviving scratched CDs. Your results will be marginal. The best solution is to resurface it with sandpaper. You will also need some sort of polishing solution. Start off with coarse grit and gradually move to fine grit paper. The key is to use a TON of water too. I have done this before on my old Corolla, and it works like a charm.
Quote from: TurismoDreamin on June 15, 2011, 10:14:30 PM
Start off with coarse grit and gradually move to fine grit paper. The key is to use a TON of water too. I have done this before on my old Corolla, and it works like a charm.
What grit do you consider to be coarse? I think the "coarse" 60 grit 3M sandpaper sold in WalMart would be a bit much. I think coarse in the world of wet-or-dry paper would be around 240.
Toothpaste might work on it since 90% of the headlight is crystal clear. Just the top 10% (that gets direct sunlight..) So there isn't much to remove.
Probably a stupid question - but this is on the outside isn't it?
Yep, it's outside.
And the $20 kit is still the 'easy' way to go. Justify it by comparing to the cost of new headlights.
As for toothpaste method;
toothpaste $3.00
sandpaper
600 grit $2.00
1000 grit $2.00
1500 grit $2.00
2400 grit $2.00
water
These 4 grits will work nicely.
So you can spend $11.00 and a lot more time (about 2 hours for comparable results - if you have some experience/mechanical aptitude), or $20.00 and about 20 minutes.
I'm going with twenty bucks. ;)
That assumes you have a drill....otherwise, you need one of those, too for the kit. $35 for a cheap one - consider it "one use". Or $75 for a good one like Porter Cable, Delta. Black & Decker for last ditch desperation choice. (Yeah, I know, B & D owns Porter Cable and Delta.)
3/8" variable speed - so you can slow it down - REALLY needs to be variable speed!!
We have several drills. Too much home remodeling.
Variable speed....
Good to go!!
So what are you doing here right now?? There is time to get to O'Reilly's, get the kit, and be done before dark, if you move it.
Uh, yeah, don't really feel like it tonight.
Like I tell my kids; "You lazy ol' thing...get off your a$$ and get to work!"
Geez...perfect night for it, too. Cool temperatures!! You won't get that for a while again....
Wait a minute...I thought it was a pet peeve?? You just aren't OCD enough.
I use a mild liquid buffing compound from Turtle Wax and it takes about 15 minutes to do the headlight on my MX-5.
I also use these to protect them from damage as well.
http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=77828 (http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=77828)
http://www.lamin-x.com/Mazda-Miata-99-00-Headlight-Covers-p/m004.htm (http://www.lamin-x.com/Mazda-Miata-99-00-Headlight-Covers-p/m004.htm)
They are similar to the tear offs they use on windshiekd in racing.
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on June 17, 2011, 12:49:28 PM
Like I tell my kids; "You lazy ol' thing...get off your a$$ and get to work!"
Geez...perfect night for it, too. Cool temperatures!! You won't get that for a while again....
Wait a minute...I thought it was a pet peeve?? You just aren't OCD enough.
Just bought some Plast x and will use it in the morning, I'll see if I can post pics.
Sorry I didn't have it done the other day Mr. Asparagus, I beg your forgiveness. ;D
I have the plastic headlight covers on my car and they have that fog look to them also. Jiffy Lube has a new type of solution that I have not gotten around to trying yet. But a friend of mine works there and he wiped anti freeze on them and it cleaned a little bit off of them.
He is supposed to bring home their new solution but so far I havent got to try it.
That's ok...you are forgiven... it was you that had to be out sweating in the 100 degree heat, so that is reparation way beyond the transgress!