[shaft]

Hi its me again.

After 64K miles the headlights have become a bit pitted, i notice the milky whiteness when i turn on the headlights. Almost looks like someone took some sandpaper to them. Any ideas on how to buff them out, or make it not look so bad?

Here is a picture.

Also, does anyone have an experience with touchup paint, id like to cover up a couple small chips, where is the best place to get it from?


On a good note, since my backup light assembly wasnt covered under warrenty I went back to the dealer and asked if they woudl help me out and they said they would pay half...so here I am a week later with a new bezel. No painting needed, they part came painted. $230 total cost for me.

:cool2:

 

[MontySkull]

Why wouldn't the reverse light bezel be covered under waranty?

 

[05CTS]

Sorry I don't know how to help you out.

too many miles???

 

[ccclarke]

May I suggest a 3-M Clear Bra? There is also a similar clear material that is much thicker and goes over the headlight bezels. I bought both kits on eBay, but you can google away and maybe come up with something cheaper. I installed the headlight bezel covers in about an hour, (pretty easy) but the Clear Bra needs to be installed by a pro, for $300-400. It covers the entire front end, both mirror faces plus a little of the hood. From 6 feet away, you can't see it. Good luck!

 

[Guest]

Ok what you need to got out and get is a product by Meguiars that is made specifically to clean plastics lenses. Pilots use it to clean their gauages, I use it to clean head lights and my speedo gauage lens. I have the link below, this stuff really works, well worth the investment. Meguiars Rocks!
http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-clear-plastic-care/Mirror-Glaze-Clear-Plastic-Cleaner
http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-clear-plastic-care/Mirror-Glaze-Clear-Plastic-Polish

 

[shaft]

Why wouldn't the reverse light bezel be covered under waranty?

expired at 50k.

Thanks for the advise guys, ill look into them.

 

[IHIeiniken]

umm. just wondering why you got a new reverse backup light assembly, was it broken? because you mentioned that warranty wont cover it. i want that new bezel you have though? maybe i should break my old assembly. hahaha

 

[IHIeiniken]

BTW Shaft, ive used 3M buffing componud to buff out headlight and tail light scratces and abrasions

 

[shaft]

umm. just wondering why you got a new reverse backup light assembly, was it broken? because you mentioned that warranty wont cover it. i want that new bezel you have though? maybe i should break my old assembly. hahaha

Was constanly filled with water. Warrenty wouldent cover it becasue it expired at 50,000 miles.


3M buffing compound...hmm ill take a look.
That stuff the gmc1500 linked looks good, but if i can find a more permenant solution it would be better.

 

[Pengineer91]

I don't think you will find a permanent solution. Rocks, pebbles, sand and most other road debris are harder than plastic.

To get the pits out, you'll need to polish the lenses. There are many products out there that will do it; several have been mentioned already.

After that, 3M (I think) makes a clear plastic sheet for covering headlights. Griot's carries it (http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1007&L3=L3_1090&SKU=10227). This would protect the lenses from further damage, but it would need to be replaced periodically to keep the crystal-clear look you want.

 

[RobertCTS]

I have no idea if it works well but "AS SEEN ON TV"..there is a polymer product that you can apply to your optical glasses to remove scratches. It fills in the scratches will a clear liquid that dries clear. The Headlight assemblies are very expensive. I would take care using abrasive materials. You could make it worse.
The finer the grit the better. Anybody think Jeweler's Rouge would work?:hmm:

 

[BishopRuger]

I've heard simple rubbing compound would work...

 

[70eldo]

Hey good tips!

 

[RobertCTS]

I've heard simple rubbing compound would work...

To abrasive!:shocked2: It would fog up the lens worse. Polishing compound might work.
Want a really mild abrasive material that won't scratch? I've used it before on fine materials. TOOTHPASTE!

 

[DDS rollin a CTS]

When I cleaned and waxed my car for the Ohio meet last weekend I discovered a bunch of scratches in my headlight lenses, but only on the top surface that follows the contour of the hood. They dont look like they could have come from road debris; at first I thought someone had put a piece of tape on one of them until I tried to scrape it off. I guess I'll try some of the advice given above.

 

[RobertCTS]

When I cleaned and waxed my car for the Ohio meet last weekend I discovered a bunch of scratches in my headlight lenses, but only on the top surface that follows the contour of the hood. They dont look like they could have come from road debris; at first I thought someone had put a piece of tape on one of them until I tried to scrape it off. I guess I'll try some of the advice given above.

You could try my idea of the "Eye Lids" to cover up the scratches. I used vinyl which I can remove if I ever tire of it.

 

[DDS rollin a CTS]

You could try my idea of the "Eye Lids" to cover up the scratches. I used vinyl which I can remove if I ever tire of it.

Good idea...now was this a custom mod or can you order these somewhere? I might have a problem matching my paint color unless these come pre-painted.

 

[RobertCTS]

Good idea...now was this a custom mod or can you order these somewhere? I might have a problem matching my paint color unless these come pre-painted.

One of the advantages of black and usually white is it's kinda easy to match. I ordered online from a graphics and vinyl dealer. I still have lotsa black left over. Interested? Seriously, if anyone has a black CTS and wants some free vinyl for eye lids, I can fix them up.

 

[dkozloski]

Professional floatplane pilots that fly in the rainy weather of Southeast Alaska, clean and polish the aircraft windshield with Lemon Pledge furniture polish. It also does a great job on motorcycle face shields. Apply it with toilet paper or tissue and work it wet. Don't wipe it dry and it will fill the scratches. If the scratches are deep it make take several applications. It takes technique but a little experimentation and it will be quickly learned.

 

[RobertCTS]

Professional floatplane pilots that fly in the rainy weather of Southeast Alaska, clean and polish the aircraft windshield with Lemon Pledge furniture polish. It also does a great job on motorcycle face shields. Apply it with toilet paper or tissue and work it wet. Don't wipe it dry and it will fill the scratches. If the scratches are deep it make take several applications. It takes technique but a little experimentation and it will be quickly learned.

Koz would agree, it goes without saying don't use the tinted furniture polish