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#1
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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? |
#2
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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. |
#3
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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. |
#4
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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. |
#5
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Do the Toyota Camry headlight polishers actually work well?
On Sun, 16 Jul 2017 21:52:59 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> 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. Califonria suburbia. The environment doesn't get any easier than California, except for the full-time sun - there's almost no dirt, grit, salt, or cold to worry about. > I'd bet on UV. It is not kind to plastics. I'd bet on the California UV also, as the plastic is "foggy". |
#6
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Do the Toyota Camry headlight polishers actually work well?
On 7/16/2017 10:27 PM, Danny D. wrote:
> On Sun, 16 Jul 2017 21:52:59 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote: > >> 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. > > Califonria suburbia. The environment doesn't get any easier than > California, except for the > full-time sun - there's almost no dirt, grit, salt, or cold to worry about. > >> I'd bet on UV. It is not kind to plastics. > > I'd bet on the California UV also, as the plastic is "foggy". There is always grit to worry about on the road. I know the formula used for scratch resistant plastic but cannot divulge it. It would basically be applied like a wax. That's why it may be in a lens refinish kit but I do not know for sure. These finishes are also used on plastic eyeglass lens which easily scratch. Composition I had seen was for acrylic sheets. Both acrylic and polycarbonate have good outdoor resistance but both are much softer than glass and easily scratched and dulled. Years ago I had a watch with plastic lens that I occasionally restored clarity with tooth paste. Toothpaste contains particulate that will not scratch teeth but is a mistake to use on plastic dentures as it could wear them. I have an old dental bridge that once had a plastic coating. Now years later after years of brushing it is gone and all metal. |
#7
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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 |
#8
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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. |
#9
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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. |
#10
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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 |
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