Yellowing headlights

[kentman4]

I've noticed that my Kizashi's headlights have started yellowing. . Does anyone know what products would be good to use on the headlights to restore them.

[KuroNekko]

Given it's minor and the UV hazing is just starting, try polishes like Meguiar's PlastX. After polishing, coat the headlight with products that protect against UV damage like Meguiar's Headlight Protectant. The PlastX will polish out the haze while the Protectant will prevent it getting worse/returning. I use both at every car wash.

If the polish does not work well, then you need to use kits that use an abrasive to basically sand off the haze and then polish the headlight back to clarity. The good ones include polishing pads that attach to a drill along with different sanding surfaces. I've used a 3M headlight restoration kit on another car with satisfactory results.

[kentman4]

Thanks. I've tried polish and it hasn't worked so I guess I'll get a kit. I also asked a question on changing the manual transmission to the brand you recommended in your thread. I don't believe you saw what I asked.

[KuroNekko]

Thanks. I've tried polish and it hasn't worked so I guess I'll get a kit. I also asked a question on changing the manual transmission to the brand you recommended in your thread. I don't believe you saw what I asked.

I just replied to the manual transmission fluid topic. Sorry that I had forgotten about that one.

Just be careful with an abrasive kit. How it works is by sanding down the surface layer to remove the hazing and then polishing it back up to clarity. You should tape up the area around the headlight so the paint doesn't get damaged.
Personally, I'd first try a plastic polish on a drill-mounted applicator pad before resorting to abrasives to sand down the headlights. I'd only go for a sanding procedure if the headlight was severely hazed. The reason is that while quality kits work, they don't restore the headlight to 100% optical clarity. It's more like 80%~90% from experience and carefully looking at restored headlights. It's not going to be like having a brand new headlight so I wanted to warn you of that.

[Ronzuki]

I'd have to agree w/ Kuro...given the haze is just beginning, I wouldn't go the abrasive route. I had polished up my son's 2005 Corolla lights a few years ago w/ the Meguiar's restore kit (non-abrasive) that were badly hazed prior to a state inspection. It did an admirable job, however, a year later they looked the same. His car is def. in need of a full-on abrasive and polish restore.

I always try to keep the car's nose parked in the shade or at least not in dead-on direct sunlight. Seems to be working out pretty well. 4+ years old and they look good as new. Granted, the past 2 winters the car has been in the garage a lot when the temps are below freezing, but all summer long it's outside.

[BLyons]

You could always try toothpaste like I see in those random '35 life hacks' articles everyone puts on Facebook all the time.

[LPSISRL]

Take a look at this video. It makes a lot of sense. I'm going to use this method on my wife's Odyssey soon.

[KuroNekko]

You could always try toothpaste like I see in those random '35 life hacks' articles everyone puts on Facebook all the time.

Why use toothpaste when you can use proper plastic polish? Toothpaste is known to help, but it's the silica in it that's doing the polishing. You'd have better results with polish intended for plastic.

Take a look at this video. It makes a lot of sense. I'm going to use this method on my wife's Odyssey soon.

He's essentially doing the same thing and using the same materials as in a headlight restoration kit. However, I think it's more convenient to buy the kit plus it would have the actual polishes for plastic to get better results.

[bootymac]

Look into some kind of UV protective coating if you're going the restoration route. Without UV protection, the lights will haze/yellow again very quickly. I think some kits include it

[kentman4]

Thanks for all the feedback. I've decided against the abrasive kits and have dediced to pick up some polish this weekend. Ive tried polishing manually, but this time I will try using a drill and an application pad.