How to whiten plastic headlight covers?

Question

Hi, I have a yamaha sports bike and the 2 front headlights have become yellowish. I tried buying new covers here but Im unable to find a new set.

Any suggestions on how to clean these at home without the use of complex chemicals?

Answer 1

you can use bleach, that is bound to work

Answer 2

Brake fluid works also, just be sure not to get it on the paint.

Answer 3

Some auto parts stores sell a kit to resurface plastic headlight lens.

I've had good luck with the following.    

Remove the lens from the car/bike/etc.

Use a good quality wet/dri sandpaper.   Try 400 grit to remove surface scratches and the top film of yellowed plastic.    Then go to 600 grit and then to 800 down to 1000 grit.     After this use a polishing compound to smooth and polish it.     This removes the scratches and hazing that most covers have.      The yellowing may be deep though and it may still be a little yellow but it will be smooth and polished when you get done.

I'd practice on an older piece of plastic to refine your technique and feel confident with your ability first.

I had a good polishing wheel and placed the headlight bezel in a vise to hold it while I went at mine.    It will take a bit of time and elbow grease but these are hard to find and when you do they are expensive to replace.

Good luck

RoyG

KC

Answer 4

Go to Auto Zone, they have exactly what you need. I just used some on my car. GREAT !

Answer 5

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser these brighten all whites also Oxi-clean.. If this doesn't work. Have you tried paint for plastic. It's in spray can.  

Answer 6

Go to your local parts store and buy a bottle of Meguiar's Mirror Glaze 10. It comes in an eight ounce plastic bottle.Put the product on a clean towel an work it into the plastic, use a clean towel to wipe it off and buff it. This stuff will make your covers look like new. We use it on car headlight covers and its great stuff.

Answer 7

Pittman's Original One Step ALR will clear them up faster than anything.

Unless someone has used sandpaper or an abrasive cleaning compound on your headlights, You can de-oxidize them and have them looking new in minutes guaranteed.

Answer 8

There's actually a product made by Maguires for just this...it's called "Plastix" I think and it comes in a white bottle with a black top.  I use it every time I clean my car, and just that little difference makes the car look like it's newer than it really is.  It's only like $4-5 and in the cleaning-goods section of any autoparts store.  

Answer 9

Use an acrylic lens restorer. Safe and fast. All liquid no abrasives.

Answer 10

You don't need headlights. Sounds like natural oxidation build up.

Get Pittman's Original One Step ALR APC 360 headlight deoxidizer.

It's a non abrasive liquid that will remove all of the yellow and keep the lens clear.

If your headlights aren't damaged they will look like new in seconds. Its the easiest, safest, least expensive way to go.

P.S. Don't let anyone talk you into using anything rough like sandpaper, rubbing compound or toothpaste on a clear plastic lens, If you do, you will regret it.

That an old school solution that worked only on the old glass lens.