Do the Toyota Camry headlight polishers actually work well?
 

Overall, do those yellowed polycarbonate headlight deoxidizing chemicals or
1600-grit polishing solutions actually work well enough to be
indistinguishable from new?

We bought for a college kid an older Toyota Camry of the early 2002-2006
model vintage where the polycarbonate on the headlights oxidized over time
to a cloudy yellowed appearance (and the speaker covers on the rear deck
are both burned off by sunlight).

The kid has two options, of course, which is replace the oxidized
headlights altogether, or try those "toothpaste & sandpaper" deoxidizing
remedies on the net, which 'sound' maybe a bit too good to be true.
http://www.jpauleytoyota.com/blog/ho...ights-at-home/

While the pictures by the headlight-polishing companies are always
impressive
http://xfactorae.com

Yet, this article says that abrasives will only work on "glass" lenses.
http://www.ebay.com/gds/THE-TRUTH-AB...0945494/g.html

Only someone with actual experience would know the answer to that question.

Overall, do those yellowed polycarbonate headlight deoxidizing chemicals or
1600-grit polishing solutions actually work well enough to be
indistinguishable from new?

If so, which ones do you have the best experience with on Toyota
headlights?

Do the Toyota Camry headlight polishers actually work well?
 

On 7/16/2017 8:07 PM, Danny D. wrote:
> Overall, do those yellowed polycarbonate headlight deoxidizing chemicals or
> 1600-grit polishing solutions actually work well enough to be
> indistinguishable from new?
>
> We bought for a college kid an older Toyota Camry of the early 2002-2006
> model vintage where the polycarbonate on the headlights oxidized over time
> to a cloudy yellowed appearance (and the speaker covers on the rear deck
> are both burned off by sunlight).
>
> The kid has two options, of course, which is replace the oxidized
> headlights altogether, or try those "toothpaste & sandpaper" deoxidizing
> remedies on the net, which 'sound' maybe a bit too good to be true.
> http://www.jpauleytoyota.com/blog/ho...ights-at-home/
>
>
> While the pictures by the headlight-polishing companies are always
> impressive
> http://xfactorae.com
>
> Yet, this article says that abrasives will only work on "glass" lenses.
> http://www.ebay.com/gds/THE-TRUTH-AB...0945494/g.html
>
>
> Only someone with actual experience would know the answer to that question.
>
> Overall, do those yellowed polycarbonate headlight deoxidizing chemicals or
> 1600-grit polishing solutions actually work well enough to be
> indistinguishable from new?
>
> If so, which ones do you have the best experience with on Toyota
> headlights?

Problem is not just oxidation but erosion by particulates like sand.
You can polish back with tooth paste but the kit might contain an
ingredient that also makes the lens scratch resistant. I know of
commercial acrylic materials that do this and I suspect some lens
manufactures use them and some don't.

Do the Toyota Camry headlight polishers actually work well?
 

On 7/16/2017 8:07 PM, Danny D. wrote:
> Overall, do those yellowed polycarbonate headlight deoxidizing chemicals or
> 1600-grit polishing solutions actually work well enough to be
> indistinguishable from new?
>

Nothing will make them as good as new. My neighbor used a kit on his
kid's car. Based on his results I'd try it. Much better than the dull
they were, but not brand new. I don't know what brand he ised

Do the Toyota Camry headlight polishers actually work well?
 

On Sun, 16 Jul 2017 20:40:23 -0400, Frank wrote:

> Problem is not just oxidation but erosion by particulates like sand.

I read all the pages I referenced where I find it hard to believe the
lenses were 'sandblasted'. These look "foggy" and "yellowed" and "cloudy"
but they're not sandblasted, and, for passenger vehicles in suburbia, I
can't fathom the 'erosion' argument.

Of course, in farm country of the dust bowl, I can see that, but then the
paint would be just as eroded, and maybe even more, which is not the case.

So I think this is only "sun" erosion, whether that's a chemical change in
the plastic (oxidation?) or if it's a physical effect (UV damage) I don't
know.

> You can polish back with tooth paste but the kit might contain an
> ingredient that also makes the lens scratch resistant.

The argument I saw essentially suggested "waxing" the lenses to protect
them from future sun damage, which makes sense only if the wax actually
works, since this is a see-through surface.

I don't see why anyone would want "scratch resistance" in a headlight which
isn't exposed to scratching in normal use (dust bowl in Kansas might be
different but this is suburbia).

> I know of
> commercial acrylic materials that do this and I suspect some lens
> manufactures use them and some don't.

Here's my gut feeling (which can be completely wrong - so that's why I
ask):

1. I don't think it's sandblasting that did it - I think it was the sun.
2. I don't know if it's a physical change or a chemical change (or both).
3. I suspect if there was a "sealant", Toyota would have used it.
4. I suspect, as stated, polishing is the way to go (but I'm unsure).
5. I don't know if liquid "de-oxidizers" (whatever that means) work.

My leaning is toward a 1000 to 2000 grit wet abrasive plus wax when done,
but I don't know how long it will last nor how good it can get yet.

Do the Toyota Camry headlight polishers actually work well?
 

On Sun, 16 Jul 2017 20:56:27 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

> Nothing will make them as good as new.

That seems like pragmatic advice.
The news ones aren't all that expensive either.
But to a kid they are.

> My neighbor used a kit on his kid's car. Based on his results I'd try it.

Thanks. It is, after all, only elbow grease and toothpaste, and a wax on
the plastic when done.

> Much better than the dull they were, but not brand new.
> I don't know what brand he ised

Thanks for that assessment.

Do the Toyota Camry headlight polishers actually work well?
 

On Mon, 17 Jul 2017 00:07:29 -0000 (UTC), "Danny D." > wrote:

>Overall, do those yellowed polycarbonate headlight deoxidizing chemicals or
>1600-grit polishing solutions actually work well enough to be
>indistinguishable from new?
>
>We bought for a college kid an older Toyota Camry of the early 2002-2006
>model vintage where the polycarbonate on the headlights oxidized over time
>to a cloudy yellowed appearance (and the speaker covers on the rear deck
>are both burned off by sunlight).
>
>The kid has two options, of course, which is replace the oxidized
>headlights altogether, or try those "toothpaste & sandpaper" deoxidizing
>remedies on the net, which 'sound' maybe a bit too good to be true.
>http://www.jpauleytoyota.com/blog/ho...ights-at-home/
>
>While the pictures by the headlight-polishing companies are always
>impressive
>http://xfactorae.com
>
>Yet, this article says that abrasives will only work on "glass" lenses.
>http://www.ebay.com/gds/THE-TRUTH-AB...0945494/g.html
>
>Only someone with actual experience would know the answer to that question.
>
>Overall, do those yellowed polycarbonate headlight deoxidizing chemicals or
>1600-grit polishing solutions actually work well enough to be
>indistinguishable from new?
>
>If so, which ones do you have the best experience with on Toyota
>headlights?

You have to try it yourself. I used Blue Magic on 2 cars and it cleared up fogging,
yellowing and very minor scratches. It cost about 6 bucks for enough to for a dozen cars.
Just pour a bit on a cotton rag - I like to use old T-shirts - add a minute or two of elbow
grease and hose it off. Or spray some Windex and use a rag to clean the residue.
The lenses won't look new, because it won't take out pits and deep scratches.
But it's a big improvement.

Do the Toyota Camry headlight polishers actually work well?
 

On Sun, 16 Jul 2017 20:31:57 -0500, Vic Smith
> wrote:

>On Mon, 17 Jul 2017 00:07:29 -0000 (UTC), "Danny D." > wrote:
>
>>Overall, do those yellowed polycarbonate headlight deoxidizing chemicals or
>>1600-grit polishing solutions actually work well enough to be
>>indistinguishable from new?
>>
>>We bought for a college kid an older Toyota Camry of the early 2002-2006
>>model vintage where the polycarbonate on the headlights oxidized over time
>>to a cloudy yellowed appearance (and the speaker covers on the rear deck
>>are both burned off by sunlight).
>>
>>The kid has two options, of course, which is replace the oxidized
>>headlights altogether, or try those "toothpaste & sandpaper" deoxidizing
>>remedies on the net, which 'sound' maybe a bit too good to be true.
>>http://www.jpauleytoyota.com/blog/ho...ights-at-home/
>>
>>While the pictures by the headlight-polishing companies are always
>>impressive
>>http://xfactorae.com
>>
>>Yet, this article says that abrasives will only work on "glass" lenses.
>>http://www.ebay.com/gds/THE-TRUTH-AB...0945494/g.html
>>
>>Only someone with actual experience would know the answer to that question.
>>
>>Overall, do those yellowed polycarbonate headlight deoxidizing chemicals or
>>1600-grit polishing solutions actually work well enough to be
>>indistinguishable from new?
>>
>>If so, which ones do you have the best experience with on Toyota
>>headlights?
>
>You have to try it yourself. I used Blue Magic on 2 cars and it cleared up fogging,
>yellowing and very minor scratches. It cost about 6 bucks for enough to for a dozen cars.
>Just pour a bit on a cotton rag - I like to use old T-shirts - add a minute or two of elbow
>grease and hose it off. Or spray some Windex and use a rag to clean the residue.
>The lenses won't look new, because it won't take out pits and deep scratches.
>But it's a big improvement.

This product?

http://amzn.to/2utIFqd


Did you also use the sealer?

http://amzn.to/2utBzSp

Do the Toyota Camry headlight polishers actually work well?
 

On Sun, 16 Jul 2017 20:31:57 -0500, Vic Smith wrote:

> You have to try it yourself. I used Blue Magic on 2 cars and it cleared up fogging,
> yellowing and very minor scratches. It cost about 6 bucks for enough to for a dozen cars.
> Just pour a bit on a cotton rag - I like to use old T-shirts - add a minute or two of elbow
> grease and hose it off. Or spray some Windex and use a rag to clean the residue.
> The lenses won't look new, because it won't take out pits and deep scratches.
> But it's a big improvement.

Thanks for that specific pointer to "Blue Magic".

A quick search shows "Blue Magic" seems to be a line of "things" but
specifically two related things:

1. Blue Magic 725CD-06 Headlight Lens Restorer - 8 oz
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Magic-72.../dp/B001PH0WUU

2. Blue Magic 730-6 Headlight Lens Sealer - 8 oz.
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Magic-73.../dp/B0051PJWQW

A. Here is the Blue Magic "restorer" MSDS:
http://bluemagicusa.com/index.php/bl...lens_restorer/
Aluminium Oxide, Non-Fibrous (50 - 70%)
Distillates, Hydrotreated Light (5 - 10%)
Ammonium Hydroxide, Buffer Solution (1 - 5%)
Neodol 23-6.5E (1 - 5%) <==== what is that?
Argilla (1 - 5%) <==== what is that?
Pluronic F 98 (1 - 5%) <==== what is that?
Acrylates Copolymer (<1%) <=== hmmmm... what is this?
CI 77007 (<1%) <===== CI?

B. Here is the Blue Magic "sealer" MSDS:
http://bluemagicusa.com/index.php/bl...t_lens_sealer/
Hydrotreated Light Distillate (75.0 ¡V 85.0%)
Polydimethylsiloxane (18.0 ¡V 28.0 %) <== ?

I have some homework to do but thanks for the pointer since this "Blue
Magic" "sealer" and "restorer" seem to be ubiquitous based on the result of
a quick search.

Do the Toyota Camry headlight polishers actually work well?
 

On 7/16/2017 9:09 PM, Danny D. wrote:
> On Sun, 16 Jul 2017 20:40:23 -0400, Frank wrote:
>
>> Problem is not just oxidation but erosion by particulates like sand.
>
> I read all the pages I referenced where I find it hard to believe the
> lenses were 'sandblasted'. These look "foggy" and "yellowed" and "cloudy"
> but they're not sandblasted, and, for passenger vehicles in suburbia, I
> can't fathom the 'erosion' argument.

That would depends on where suburbia is. In the snowbelt, the roads are
salted and sanded and that can have an effect. Obviously that is only a
prtion of the problem but look at windshields after 60,000 miles.



>
> So I think this is only "sun" erosion, whether that's a chemical change in
> the plastic (oxidation?) or if it's a physical effect (UV damage) I don't
> know.

I'd bet on UV. It is not kind to plastics.



> I don't see why anyone would want "scratch resistance" in a headlight which
> isn't exposed to scratching in normal use (dust bowl in Kansas might be
> different but this is suburbia).

So you drive under 25 mph on perfectly clean roads. No bugs, no grit.



>
> Here's my gut feeling (which can be completely wrong - so that's why I
> ask):
>
> 1. I don't think it's sandblasting that did it - I think it was the sun.
> 2. I don't know if it's a physical change or a chemical change (or both).
> 3. I suspect if there was a "sealant", Toyota would have used it.
> 4. I suspect, as stated, polishing is the way to go (but I'm unsure).
> 5. I don't know if liquid "de-oxidizers" (whatever that means) work.

1. Mostly sun but could be pitting too
2. I'd think both
3. Agree, unless it wears off over time
4. Agree.
5. Never heard of them


>
> My leaning is toward a 1000 to 2000 grit wet abrasive plus wax when done,
> but I don't know how long it will last nor how good it can get yet.

I'd guess "good enough" and a few years.

Do the Toyota Camry headlight polishers actually work well?
 

Danny D. > wrote:
>Overall, do those yellowed polycarbonate headlight deoxidizing chemicals or
>1600-grit polishing solutions actually work well enough to be
>indistinguishable from new?

No, but what do you want for five bucks?
Buy whatever kit your FLAPS has on sale and try it. It'll be a big
improvement.

Will it be any bigger than Ajax cleanser slurry on a quarter sheet sander pad?
Dunno, but for five bucks I'd try it.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."