cleaning glass on headlights

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bonglets
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cleaning glass on headlights

Post by bonglets » Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:06 am

Sorry if this is a dim question (sorry) but I have read some posts on cleaning the glass with toothpaste and other things. Our headlights look a bit yellowed and I am going to attempt cleaning them but not sure how to get the glass off, totally non techie husband had a look but couldn't see how they came off.
Any help much appreciated.
Thank you.
Liz


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rita
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Re: cleaning glass on headlights

Post by rita » Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:15 am

You would normally just leave the lamps on the vehicle and clean the lenses (plastic material).
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Re: cleaning glass on headlights

Post by haydn callow » Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:15 am

I think most people do them in situ.
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bonglets
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Re: cleaning glass on headlights

Post by bonglets » Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:42 am

So is it just the outside of the glass that has the coating on it? #-o


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helen&tony
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Re: cleaning glass on headlights

Post by helen&tony » Thu Feb 12, 2015 12:48 pm

Hi
Yes...film on outside....just find a tin of elbow-grease and the job's simple!....sorry, but it's perseverance !
Good Luck
Cheers
Helen
In the beginning there was nothing , then God said "Let there be Light".....There was still nothing , but ,by crikey, you could see it better.
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Re: cleaning glass on headlights

Post by cmm303 » Thu Feb 12, 2015 12:56 pm

Anybody tried with electric elbow grease, like an orbital polisher?
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helen&tony
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Re: cleaning glass on headlights

Post by helen&tony » Thu Feb 12, 2015 1:15 pm

Hi
It's POSSIBLE to do with a machine if you can find something that operates VERY very slowly, as the headlamp is plastic, and a machine will burn it easily. Probably the best method is 1000 grit wet and dry, going to 3000 , then metal polish, then toothpaste...or get a Xerapol kit.
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Helen
In the beginning there was nothing , then God said "Let there be Light".....There was still nothing , but ,by crikey, you could see it better.
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Re: cleaning glass on headlights

Post by rita » Thu Feb 12, 2015 3:16 pm

bonglets
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Re: cleaning glass on headlights

Post by bonglets » Thu Feb 12, 2015 5:40 pm

Thanks all they have improved with toothpaste and kitchen roll, they prob need another good clean but looking beter already.


99 white over Silver Bongo Freetop 2.5 tdc, full side conversion.....let the adventures begin!
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Re: cleaning glass on headlights

Post by Puma931 » Fri Feb 13, 2015 12:57 pm

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Bongoplod
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Re: cleaning glass on headlights

Post by Bongoplod » Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:44 pm

cmm303 wrote:Anybody tried with electric elbow grease, like an orbital polisher?
Plenty of videos on utube

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Simon Jones
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Re: cleaning glass on headlights

Post by Simon Jones » Sat Feb 14, 2015 12:41 am

I used some Autoglym paint restorer on a buffing pad fitted to a random orbital sander. Then finished off with super resin polish.

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... ht#p577744
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cmm303
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Re: cleaning glass on headlights

Post by cmm303 » Sun Feb 15, 2015 12:14 am

rita wrote:The easy way.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t1RBw0IGXA
This gave me the courage to buy some pads for my drill. Gasp I hear! I spent two hours rejuvenating the lights on my wife's Yaris which I did a few years back by hand. This was the practice run before attacking Bongo (getting priorities right!!) which turned out to be easy in comparison, despite ancient residue from continental light deflectors. Could not track down fine enough wet and dry (as in video) so went straight on with rubbing compound, then Brasso and a final polish with super resin polish (thanks Simon for the idea). All off the shelves in the garage so cost only a few quid for drill accessories.
I reckon the Yaris would have benefited from starting with 1000 grade abrasive, but the Bongo came up great relatively quickly.
Chris with BertieB
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Simon Jones
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Re: cleaning glass on headlights

Post by Simon Jones » Sun Feb 15, 2015 12:37 am

I believe it's the UV light that causes the polycarbonate to deteriorate so regular application of decent polish (or maybe some sunscreen :)) should help slow it down. Funny how Japanese cars seem more prone to this than other vehicles.
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Re: cleaning glass on headlights

Post by teenmal » Sun Feb 15, 2015 11:35 am

Simon Jones wrote:I believe it's the UV light that causes the polycarbonate to deteriorate so regular application of decent polish (or maybe some sunscreen :)) should help slow it down. Funny how Japanese cars seem more prone to this than other vehicles.


The clue might be in the name "The Land Of The Rising SUN"

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