Using sandpaper to remove oxidation from headlight lens is a big mistake. People who suggest the use of sandpaper either sell sandpaper products or are parroting someone else's misinformation. They will tell you there is no other way to remove oxidation from headlights. Don't believe them.
Step 1
If we take this from a scientific approach we must look at the problem as a doctor would when he diagnosed a problem. Is the problem oxidation? Or is it something else?
Step 2
Once it can be determined if the problem is oxidation or surface damage, you must next decide a method of treatment.
Step 3
90% of headlights that need cleaning are afflicted with oxidation. The other 10% have actual surface damage.
Step 4
Oxidation is a flat opaque covering that lays evenly on the surface of the lense, It will start out white turn yellow and eventually brown. it can build up and block all light from leaving the lense. It is semi-smooth to the touch.
Step 5
Surface damage is obvious visual imperfections on the lense, such as chipping, scaring, scratching and damage caused by the use of a sandpaper type cleaning process. After market sealers are the also a problem. These sealers are generally polyurethane or acrylic based. They have no yellow stopping UV protection. Over time the heat from the bulb and the light from the sun will cause them to yellow and crack. These can be rough to the touch.
Step 6
If surface damage is your problem stop here..There is no process that will restore your lense. They will have to be resurfaced and that will require the use of abrasives and power tools.
Step 7
If your problem is Oxidation you can restore your headlight lens in seconds without fear of damage to the delicate UV layer with a non abrasive DE-oxidizer.
Tips
- Oxidation is a naturally reoccurring factor. It will rebuild on a surface it has been removed from.
- Literally millions of headlights have been cleaned with a variety of methods from toothpaste to rubbing compound. All cause non repairable damage to the UV layer.
- A lens that has been previously cleaned with abrasives will develop both problems. Oxidation and surface damage.
- Oxidation can be removed with a DE-oxidizer but the surface damage will remain.
- Never put abrasives on your headlight lens. Once you do there's no turning back and its downhill all the way from there.
- All DE-oxidizers are not the created equal. In fact most are not true DE-oxidizers they are polishes and rubbing compounds.
- How do you tell the difference....A true DE-oxidizer is molecular reactive and removes oxidation instantly, on contact. All other so called DE-oxidizers involve time consuming rubbing and buffing. Don't be fooled, these are not true DE-oxidizers.
Warnings
- Molecular reactive acrylic lens DE-oxidizer should not be applied to painted surfaces.
Things You'll Need
- A true acrylic lens DE-oxidizer. Pure liquid non abrasive formula that is applied with a paper towel.
- Less than 5 minutes of your time.
