Fogged up headlights

[BugMe]

My headlights are pretty much badly clouded over and I don't want to really change them right now if I don't have to.  How easy is it to polish and restore them?

[Vroom]

This has been a problem I've suffered from many times.  I've tried so many remedies, but nothing beats purchasing new lights.  Using brake fluid did a good job, but it won't last very long--2-3 months tops.

[cats-piejammies]

Interesting - I hadn't heard of using brake fluid.  Do you just wash it using the fluid or just wipe it over it?  Would you rinse it off after?  Seems like it would leave a film behind.

[.rob]

you might have to wet sand and polish them out if they're bad. wet sanding and buffing can damage the plastic if you aren't careful.

this was on my civic si.

before:


after:

[purple]

I've had good luck picking up a "new" pair from the junk yard when I haven't really wanted to change them out but didn't have the time to try and restore them otherwise. You can often get  decent deal on them from a junkyard.

[polygum]

Do you tint your headlights. It is illegal in my country and can void your insurance. Not to mention being a hazard to other road users. Think about others too

[ellis]

Those are great before and after shots of the headlights there mate. Right now I have to figure out how exactly mine ended up getting a leak in it so I can get it fixed.

[Chromey]

I have had water inside my beams too and I could never figure how it got there.  I did the junk yard scrounge for my lens too - but I like the fact that they can be polished over.

[ellis]

How long did it take to wet sand that out? I am curious since we have a rental right now and the car we have is like that so I thought I might recommended your method when I return it.