Dull/Yellowing Headlights

[funkymonkey1111]

thought i'd throw this out there--Sam's offers day memberships. you have to pay a 10% premium on anything you buy. so, for a $3.50 surcharge, you can get this deal done at sam's without a membership

[MarkUSMC88]

I just renewed my SAMs membership today for this service... You couldn't have posted that gem of fact yesterday?!?

[funkymonkey1111]

I just renewed my SAMs membership today for this service... You couldn't have posted that gem of fact yesterday?!?

if that's the only reason, i think you can cancel your membership at any time.

[Irving]

Old thread bump. Sam's still offers this service, only now it is $39.99. I've never used any of the products, and will probably try it myself next time. I wasn't sure what to expect and I have no idea how long it will last. Here are the before and after pictures. The reason my passenger light looks less fogged than the driver is that someone rubbed some Deet on the pass side with a rag a few months ago to show me that you can use Deet.








South Paw, how long did yours last?

[SouthPaw]

I told you.

[Irving]

How are yours holding up?

[SouthPaw]

How are yours holding up?

Couldn't tell you as I sold the truck a year later. Until then, I think they were fine but might remember a corner of the lense I had them touch up. Five year warranty, you are set.

[rondog]

Huh, need this! Surely my wife knows someone with a membership, we're Costco people.

[Shooter45]

Do it yourself for about $10 from Home Depot/Walmart
Parts needed:

Roll of painters tape
400 grit sandpaper
600 grit sandpaper
2000 grit sandpaper
Rustoleum clear gloss
Wax
Tape headlights and cover all areas that need protection from sanding and the paint. Wet sand headlights starting with 400 if needed depending how bad they are then progress forward. Once polished with 2000 grit paper clean headlights off and apply clear coat finish. I did 3 coats allowing time to dry between coats per the directions on the can. Once dry, lightly wax and enjoy. I did this on my truck almost two years ago and it is still crystal clear. The advantage to this over the "restoration kits" you can buy at the store is the clear coat finish and wax. Works perfect and is way more cost effective to me.

*Don't use bug spray to restore your headlights. It works temporarily but it actually melts the plastic headlights are made out of now and will varnish and degrade soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEJbKLZ7RmM

Before:




After:

[theGinsue]

I bought 2 different kits to de-haze the headlights on my '02 Intrepid, each one cost me between $20-$30.

Each time I worked on them I spent a good 2 hours on each headlight. The results were good initially, but after 6 months the hazing was beginning to become obvious again.

Time is money. Even if all I'd be doing is taking a nap instead of putting the effort into each headlight, it's still time spend not having to do something I'd rather not have to do.

Just over a year ago I decided that the headligts were dangerously hazed again and instead of going to the effort of de-hazing (or having someone else do it) I chose to order 2 new headlight assemblies (which included the bulbs and all wiring harnesses) from RockAuto.com. These cost me about $70/ea, but the removal of the old assemblies and installation of the new took me about 1/2 hr total for both. Even after the de-hazing attempts the headlights didn't look as good as the new ones. Even today the headlamps make the car look newer than it actually is. These new assemblies will last in a nice clear shiny state until it's time to finally let go of the vehicle and I won't have to put another minute into their maintenance.

While it's not for everyone, replacing the assemblies with new ones was the best decision I could have make.