Quick, easy headlight restore -- maybe

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by cyberpriusII, Nov 13, 2018.

  1. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Maybe it was the roses

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    Headlights on our cars were looking moderately horrible.

    Finally decided to do something.

    I bought the "NEW and IMPROVED"
    [​IMG]

    And the Pulsar 10" Car buffer at KMart. The Plastx was $7 and the buffer was 19.

    https://www.kmart.com/pulsar-120v-buffer-10/p-082W082609511513P

    Just spread about a teaspoon full on the foam pad of the buffer, turned it on and buffed one Camry headlight for about 90 seconds.

    Wiped it down with a microfiber cloth I got at the dollar store for 25 cents. It looked pretty good.

    Did the second Camry headlight and then "rinsed and repeated" with the Prius. For about six minutes of buffing and polishing and a minor amount of Plastx, plus a couple of microfiber towels, all four headlights look great. If I would have doubled my time, they would have probably looked a bit better, but all-in-all very satisfied.

    We will see how long it lasts, but from web comments on various forums, it seems I have at least a year of goodness, maybe more. The Plastx supposedly has some sort of additive that helps keep the oxidation from returning. We will see.

    Very little time or money spent. Good results. What else can I use a car buffer for....:whistle:

    kris
     
    #1 cyberpriusII, Nov 13, 2018
    m.wynn, Mendel Leisk, 05PreeUs and 1 other person like this.
  2. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    I use that stuff and buff it by hand. Seems to last about a year. Good for any plastic polishing.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #2 audiodave, Nov 13, 2018
  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Thanks for this I use this too but never used it with a buffer. I will try that.
     
    #3 edthefox5, Nov 14, 2018
  4. frankv64

    frankv64 Junior Member

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    As long as your headlights are not really bad use some wd40 and a paper towel. It cleans them pretty good in about 2 minutes each. It worked great for me.
     
    #4 frankv64, Nov 19, 2018
  5. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    Meguiar's has been known in the industry, along with Mother's, for offering great products.
     
    #5 05PreeUs, Nov 19, 2018
  6. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    If you have a random-orbit buffer (lots of people who like to detail their cars in their spare time do), baking soda and then toothpaste also work. I've buffed my headlights twice - they re-fogged again in a few months. I was going to re-clearcoat the headlights for a longer-lasting finish since it's pretty easy for me to pop the headlight pods out.
     
    #6 a_gray_prius, Nov 21, 2018
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Round, glass, sealed, beam. Gone, but not forgotten.

    upload_2018-11-21_8-44-21.png
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Nov 21, 2018
    Raytheeagle and strawbrad like this.
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