Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

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gerryh
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Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby gerryh » Mon Jun 22, 2020 1:40 pm

Took my wife's car for it's ITV this morning.
Passed OK but there was an observation regarding the yellowing of the plastic headlamp covers.
Have 2 months to correct the problem.
A quick Google search revealed 3M kits, toothpaste, WD40 amongst other suggestions to restore them.
Any recommendations that are easy to do work well?
Cheers
Gerry
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Re: Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby Lyric » Mon Jun 22, 2020 2:06 pm

Cleaning vinegar perked our 16 y o lenses up.

El Cid
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Re: Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby El Cid » Mon Jun 22, 2020 2:09 pm

Some comparative tests her

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessori ... orers-2019

I used Farecla G5 rubbing compound with a rotary drill buffer.

Sid

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costakid
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Re: Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby costakid » Mon Jun 22, 2020 3:38 pm

As Sid says. On my mums old Avensis I used a cutting compound and electric buffer and they came up like new. They were dull and yellow but perfect now.

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gerryh
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Re: Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby gerryh » Mon Jun 22, 2020 4:34 pm

As a quick test, I wiped them over with some WD40 on a piece of cloth.
Came up clean surprisingly well for very little effort, time or money.
The effect might not last as long as a proper buffing down with cutting compound but if anybody is after a quick fix before an ITV test it seems to work.
I will look into a more permanent solution.
Cheers
Gerry
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costakid
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Re: Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby costakid » Mon Jun 22, 2020 5:05 pm

If it gets you through a test I suppose thats all you need to do. I was after a more permanent solution for my old mum.

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Re: Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby peteroldracer » Mon Jun 22, 2020 5:31 pm

I used to cough to disguise a [email protected] I f@rt to disguise a cough.

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knowal
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Re: Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby knowal » Tue Jun 23, 2020 4:44 pm

I used a kitchen "salvaunas" with a small amount of bleach.
That did it.

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costakid
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Re: Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby costakid » Tue Jun 23, 2020 11:42 pm

There must be loads of tricks to clean lamps, some better than others. The buffing with compound is good for a year.

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Re: Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby pensure1988 » Wed Jun 24, 2020 7:39 am

HI

i believe there is also a place in the Estepona Poligno called Estepona Accident Repair Centre
which will do it in half an hour for 30 Euros. They do a good job and lasts 2 years

David

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spanish_lad
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Re: Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby spanish_lad » Sun Jul 05, 2020 7:46 am

costakid wrote: Mon Jun 22, 2020 3:38 pm As Sid says. On my mums old Avensis I used a cutting compound and electric buffer and they came up like new. They were dull and yellow but perfect now.
Thats the only way to do it "properly" - its because the plastic is "burned" from the sun.
pensure1988 wrote: Wed Jun 24, 2020 7:39 am HI

i believe there is also a place in the Estepona Poligno called Estepona Accident Repair Centre
which will do it in half an hour for 30 Euros. They do a good job and lasts 2 years

David
ANY body shop will do it. its really a 5 minute job.
Alhaurin el Grande since 99, working at the airport since 2011.

john the baptist
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Re: Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby john the baptist » Thu Sep 10, 2020 3:26 pm

i use whitening too paste which has a little fluoride grit to it and it cuts it really well.

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Re: Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby swerve » Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:07 am

Try using someome CIF cream cleaner or anything that has a little abrasive particles in. Vim would have done the job. But no idea if it's still made.
It always seems imposible until its done. Nelson Mandela

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gerryh
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Re: Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby gerryh » Sat Sep 12, 2020 8:08 am

As I said previously a quick wipe over with some WD40 on a cloth clears the haze and back to being nice and clear.
Very quick to do and very little effort.
Just needs a quick wipe every few weeks.
Cheers
Gerry
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gina59
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Re: Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby gina59 » Fri Sep 18, 2020 7:14 am

I use silver or brass cleaner. Takes five minutes.
My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places.

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Re: Restoring plastic headlamp covers.

Postby spanish_lad » Fri Sep 18, 2020 7:36 pm

:idea:
swerve wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:07 am But no idea if it's still made.
The wholesalers in alhaurin sells vim powder.
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