"Faded" Headlights

[Subtle_Cynicism]

Hey,

I bought my 2000 Grand Am GT not too long ago, and the body is in almost flawless condition, but the only issue is with the headlights, and it's not TOO bad.

The headlights are "faded" per say...they are dull and almost "foggy" though there is no water leaking in, as far as I know.

If any of you have seen first generation Intrepid's, most models have "Faded' and dull headlights.

I really would like to make these things shine, as Grand Am headlights are absolutely beautiful; they look like mirrors when they are brand new...what's the easiest way to fix these?

If you need pictures, I can take some when I get home today.

[VanishingImage]

do they stay this way or does it come and go? If it comes and goes then its gotta be condensation,maybe no water but air can still do that to headlights.If it is constantly there then Im stumped.Best thing to do would prolly take them apart(just cut the rubber seal) and put them in a dry place then put them back together in the same place,dry area,then use some silicone to seal them back up,just go around it making sure you close them in.

[Subtle_Cynicism]

No, it's not condensation...it's more like a faded plastic look...they don't shine anymore, and they aren't clear.

Ever see early 90's, late 80's Ford headlights?

Think like that. I'm going out to take a picture in a sec.

[Subtle_Cynicism]

Here's what my headlights look like. Note areas inside the horribly Photoshopped red box, ok?

Any ideas on how to make those suckers shine again?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/infero_formalis/Headlight-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/infero_formalis/Headlight-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/infero_formalis/Headlight-3.jpg

[scotiez]

Have you tried Polishing them? and if that works then put a good coat of wax on them. I know i polish and wax mine all the time.

[Subtle_Cynicism]

What kinda wax or polish?

the Intrepid owners that had those problems "sanded" them down wet or something. I don't know a whole lot about resurfacing, so...

[Artic]

I had same issue on my 01 gt I used meguairs lens and plastic cleaner from auto zone.Good elbow grease and some polishing should make them look 100 times better.

[scotiez]

i think i would try some Mequires scratch x .... it is a very fine rubbing compound, plus it also poishes. I use Mequieres gold class for wax ... i think it is very good. But there are alot of good waxes out there .. just what ever you prefer.

[VanishingImage]

well that definately isn't condensation,hehe.....Kind of looks like acid etching from rain,it does happen,kind of like what you get on glass drinking glass wear after the stuff has been through the dishwasher.....But yea some elbow grease and rubbing compound and wax should do the job.

[Subtle_Cynicism]

I can't find the Plastic and Len's cleaner anywhere. I checked all my auto stores in town.

[Peyman]

been there...done that...ur best bet is to buy new ones or ones that look nearly new from ebay....put them on ur car...then sell ur fadded ones on ebay to someone that dosent care about it being fadded

[Subtle_Cynicism]

I planned on doing that...but what years will fit a 2000 GT?

And I wouldnt know the first thing about installing them..

[nice96gt]

Originally posted by Subtle_Cynicism
What kinda wax or polish?

the Intrepid owners that had those problems "sanded" them down wet or something. I don't know a whole lot about resurfacing, so...

I wouldn't suggest it if you are inexperienced with sanding and stuff, I can't really say I am either so I wouldn't be the person to get instructions on how to do it. If you wet sand the headlight with say 1000 grit you should be able to clean up the scratches. I would suggest going with Peyman on this one and just grab another set and then try to sell your old ones.

Also, to change your headlights are very easy! No need to even unbolt anything.

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=101

[Peyman]

Originally posted by Subtle_Cynicism
I planned on doing that...but what years will fit a 2000 GT?

And I wouldnt know the first thing about installing them..

99+ headlights would work...and the only way u wouldnt be able to install em is if you were blind and just couldnt see...its not that hard...

[matts]

i'm having the same problem with emily's. just haven't taken the time to see what i can do yet

[Artic]

Check out this link to meguiars.com http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_list.cfm?store=meg&line=auto&catagory=6&subcatagory=1

[95GAinFLA]

my headlights arent really..faded. well, they are, but not like yours. Mine are more yellow-ey, looks like it is from the sun or something, not sure. Im gonna try some of that lens cleaner and hopefully it works.

[Chain]

Mine were that bad also. I tried everything but nothing worked. It took a wreck to smash them to bits to get new ones. I just hope these dont fade out like that.

[Subtle_Cynicism]

I'm going to have to get new ones...the PlastX didn't work, sadly...shined them up, but didnt remove the ick.

[nice96gt]

This may be kinda stupid, I don't know. But has anyone else heard of that liquid stuff you wipe on to your glasses to remove scratches? I don't even know if the stuff works on glasses but it may help remove (fill in) any scratches or stone chips. Obviously it wouldn't get rid of any discolouration, but it may clean them up a bit.

[Subtle_Cynicism]

If you're talking about Meguire's PlastX, I already tried it.

It did wonders shining them up, but the damage is still there for the most part.

[nice96gt]

Originally posted by Subtle_Cynicism
If you're talking about Meguire's PlastX, I already tried it.

It did wonders shining them up, but the damage is still there for the most part.

Oh is that the same kind of stuff? My bad. I didn't know. :D

[Pte Socks]

I have the same problem. Most of mine actually comes from rocks smashing into it and denting it all up. I might just looking into taking my sander/grinder to it and see if that works. I cant believe I didnt think of that before! ill tell you guys how I do ok.

[nice96gt]

Originally posted by Neo-Blue99GASE
I have the same problem. Most of mine actually comes from rocks smashing into it and denting it all up. I might just looking into taking my sander/grinder to it and see if that works. I cant believe I didnt think of that before! ill tell you guys how I do ok.

If you are actually going to try this on your head lights. I would suggest doing it by hand rather than using a grinder. Not sure if that's what you were going to do or not, but this way you can wet sand it softly and make sure you don't gouge it any worse. :)

[Stumpt]

ive had this problem on other cars... heres a cheap remedy.
mix up a paste of baking soda and water or some tooth paste from an organic store (its grainier) and a lot of elbow grease will make them look like new.

[Pte Socks]

Ok DO NOT WET SAND! I just tried it and it ended up making it worse than before. I personally started with 160 grit and then used a 400 grit for the fine with the wet sand and it turned out like crap. Hehe well ill definatly have to buy a new one now! OH, and yes, I did do it by hand. Anyone have a spare driver side one handy?

[nice96gt]

Originally posted by Neo-Blue99GASE
Ok DO NOT WET SAND! I just tried it and it ended up making it worse than before. I personally started with 160 grit and then used a 400 grit for the fine with the wet sand and it turned out like crap. Hehe well ill definatly have to buy a new one now! OH, and yes, I did do it by hand. Anyone have a spare driver side one handy?

lol...you shoulda used something more around 800-1000 grit. Oh well, that sucks you messed up your headlight even more...lesson learned the hard way. :(

[Pte Socks]

hehe 1000 grit? Meh, I guess I could go out and get some. I dont really care though, I needed to get a new one anyway. one thing, it kinda looks cool though. Its all kinda "smoked" over and has a nice effect to it, the only probem is that it doesnt go as far as my good one, but its not much less either. But definatly leared the hard way, but hey, it sucks to have it done all for you anyway, at least im learning this way

[nice96gt]

Originally posted by Neo-Blue99GASE
hehe 1000 grit? Meh, I guess I could go out and get some. I dont really care though, I needed to get a new one anyway. one thing, it kinda looks cool though. Its all kinda "smoked" over and has a nice effect to it, the only probem is that it doesnt go as far as my good one, but its not much less either. But definatly leared the hard way, but hey, it sucks to have it done all for you anyway, at least im learning this way

Yeah, well at least you were planning on getting another one anyways. Your headlights should come with a warning..."Do not use 150 or 400 grit sand paper to clean them up!" :lol:

[Pte Socks]

LMAO! hehe yea.!

[jds_truck]

best thing to do is use a good buffer and buff them with a g3 compound will make them shine like new i did to my tails and they look awsome now. if u dont have one try asking auto body shop to do for u shouldnt be to much at all

[92CamaroRS]

http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=218626

do what that says and it should look like new!

[matts]

but aren't the headlights actually glass? and not plastic?

[nadir]

PlastX by meguars... it is sort of hard to find, but search yahoo yellow pages and make a couple calls and find a store that carries it. Trust me, it will solve your problem.

[92CamaroRS]

Originally posted by matts
but aren't the headlights actually glass? and not plastic?


should be just a plastic housing. now on my ole camaro they are glass but then again i cant just change the bulb as the entire headlight is the bulb.

[Subtle_Cynicism]

I bought PlastX. Didn't do a thing :).

[92CamaroRS]

Originally posted by Subtle_Cynicism
I bought PlastX. Didn't do a thing :).


try what i posted up above. should make it look like new.

[nice96gt]

^ I checked out that link...Looks like the best idea so far...

[jds_truck]

try buffing trust me i did it makes look like new

[Subtle_Cynicism]

Originally posted by 92CamaroRS
try what i posted up above. should make it look like new.

I'm going to have to try that. That made those taillights look absoltuely spectacular.

[Pte Socks]

need an update, I dont wanna screw up another headlight hehehe ;)

[rabidpanda69]

I too have the same problem as you guys. I've tried polishing with all sorts of SH*t and nothing seems to work. My guess is that there is a clear finish that is cracking and wearing off. If theyre ever gonna look good again it'll be when they're replaced.

[Subtle_Cynicism]

I know that's what it is...

I can't find Brasso anywhere, and I used a buffer with PlastX. Shined the good part of it up, but hardly any difference in the eroded part of my headlight. I really don't want to replace them, but they look like butt right now.

[rabidpanda69]

Yeah it sucks, my dad has the same problem with his 98 seville. A guy at dealer thought something was on them and tried to get it off with lacquer thinner and made it way worse.
I say look on the bright side, replacment lights for that seville are over 400 bucks a piece

[Hexx]

Im going to wet sand mine this winter....just because I can and because they REALLY need it (well, one of them at least).

There was mention in a thread I once read that it might actually be the inside of the lens....due to the day time running lights being on they get hot, and you know what happens when plastic gets too hot. It will deform.

[jds_truck]

buffing works the best trust me worked great on my tail lights just use like a g3 grit polish

[RocketFast321]

My lights are like that don't really care any more. I use the meguiars stuff and it made it a little worst. My lights still shine like new. I wish my lights look that good in real life.
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/attachment.php?postid=383041

But sadly mom's malibu head lights have cataracts
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/attachment.php?postid=383042

[Subtle_Cynicism]

Mine look identical to yours, and I see a TON of Grand Am's like that...

Wonder what kinda crap causes them to do that; they must not be made very well.

If anyone has any other suggestions as to how to remove this crap, please let me know...

[30thAnnGAGT]

Clear Headlight covers make all the difference in the world. I keep mine on, and take them off when the car is being shown. I noticed a little bit of the pitting that took place on my 2000. It is actually the plasttic pitting. It would be very difficult to restore these.

[4mygirlsga]

hey guys i know here in tn. the company that makes blue magic wheel polish has a plastic polish in stores and it seems to work decent with a polishing wheel and a drill.be prepaped to get messy

[4mygirlsga]

hey guys i know here in tn. the company that makes blue magic wheel polish has a plastic polish in stores and it seems to work decent with a polishing wheel and a drill.be prepared to get messy

[Pte Socks]

like I said, dont try wet sanding!!! it makes them worse! It looks cool, but the the lights arent as concentrated as before. Grr... Iim still in the hunt for a need driver side headlight.