Ever since automobiles started coming out with headlights with plastic shells, plastic lenses and replaceable light bulbs, I noticed the trend for the lenses to fade. Living these years in sunny and desert areas, I’ve seen some lenses turn so opaque I wondered how in the world the owners could even see at night to drive.
It happened to me also. My Toyota Tacoma, purchased new in June of 2002 is now nearly seven years old and I’ve watched it’s “eyes” dim with age. What used to light up the road at night pretty decently has gone to a much dimmer yellowish tinge on the road or dirt byways. If it weren’t for my Hellas, I’d be driving blind. But on the road, it’s often impossible to use the Hellas for there’s usually always someone sharing the road with me.
A year or two ago, I started asking around if there were any products that could reduce that fading on the plastic. I really didn’t think anything would take it off, I only thought outright replacement of the headlight shells themselves would take care of the problem – an expensive proposition. But I was wrong.
There are a variety of products out there that will remove the oxidation that fades these plastic headlight lenses and they run from cheap to expensive.
Last night I was perusing my local auto parts store. There were three cream “waxes” and two kits, ranging in price from $5.99 to $25.99. I elected to go the cheap route first to see if this stuff really works before I dropped a bunch of money only to find out it doesn’t.
I picked up a bottle of Blue Magic Headlight Lens Restorer. It retailed at my local Kragen Auto Parts for $5.99. Today I tried it out. And to make a long story short, it works.
Instructions are to simply rub it on in a circular motion, then buff with a clean soft cloth. If the lights are particularly in bad shape, extra applications will be necessary.
I put on one application on each light and side marker light (these were not faded at all). I also put one application on the clear signal lights in the bumper. I could see a difference immediately, although it was obvious that I needed more applications to get rid of all the oxidation. I made a total of four applications to the headlights, but only one to the signal lights. The side marker lights got two applications, basically because by rubbing the headlights, the rag was going over onto the side markers, which wrap around and merge into the headlights. The whole process took less than a half hour, including my taking photos.
The results were very good. Not as clear as glass, but my headlights should shine much brighter on the highway now. The true test will come tonight when I come home from work.
The Blue Magic Headlight Restorer, a cup of hot coffee and a couple of rags.
The driver side headlight before applying.
The final results of four applications of elbow grease.
The front view of the Tacoma before application.
The Tacoma after application.
), so I opted for just the 2000 grit paper and already had some Mother's Plastic Polish on hand.
