# Removing oxidation from headlights **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [October 28, 2008, 4:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-oxidation-from-headlights/21341 "2008-10-28T16:17:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![taylorclark99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@taylorclark99](https://community.cartalk.com/u/taylorclark99)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 4:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-oxidation-from-headlights/21341/1 "2008-10-28T16:17:09Z")
I’m am pretty sure oxidation is the right word for it. When your headlights get that film over them that just won’t come off. Does any one know how to get that stuff off without having to spend to much money? ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-oxidation-from-headlights/21341/2 "2008-10-28T16:21:13Z")
I’ve restored them to excellent condition using polishing compound with a drill mounted buffing pad and water. Any mild abrasive in suspension will likely work. Someone else eher suggested a coat of wax after to deter future oxidiaing. I didn’t use any, but it sounds like a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-oxidation-from-headlights/21341/3 "2008-10-28T16:50:55Z")
They sell heldlight lens polishing kits at the auto parts stores. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-oxidation-from-headlights/21341/4 "2008-10-28T16:54:15Z")
I’ve tried 'em. They work, but I liked the polishing compound better. ---
**Author:** ![Cal\_Learner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cal_learner/32/387_2.png) [@Cal\_Learner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cal_Learner)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 5:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-oxidation-from-headlights/21341/5 "2008-10-28T17:05:29Z")
Right, mountainbike. Anything with abrasion (polishing compound, 600+ grit wet sandpaper, probably even toothpaste) can be used to treat clear plastic lamp lenses. If you’re patient about it, and spend enough time at it, the results can be quite acceptable. But, taylorclark99, once your lenses are pitted, spiderwebbed, cracked, etc., there’s no treatment to reverse those problems. At most, you’ll remove roughness and yellowing, and allow more of the headlights to actually shine on the road. As for special kits sold at auto parts stores, I’ve never used them, but they’re also just abrasives and wiping cloths, so save yourself the money. If you have any sort of car polish and terrycloth applicator (drill-mounted pad is even better) in your car care cupboard, you’re all set. When I detail cars for myself and others, I always finish up by putting a coat of acrylic sealant on the treated plastic pieces as protection from further deterioration (I use Zaino Z2), but that’s obviously not a requirement. ---
**Author:** ![admitted\_amateur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@admitted\_amateur](https://community.cartalk.com/u/admitted_amateur)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-oxidation-from-headlights/21341/6 "2008-10-28T18:03:07Z")
I have quite successfully used Maguiar’s PlastX - it works well and doesn’t take much elbow grease. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 1:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-oxidation-from-headlights/21341/7 "2008-10-30T01:16:04Z")
I’ve had better luck using PlastX first followed by RainX. The RainX really improves the clarity of the lens.