How to clean headlights

Put the '90 Lincoln Mark VII thru inspection today and the headlights failed. The lenses were to clouded. Same kind of lenses as on my '94 Mustang GT. They are clouded too, but passed last year. Anyone know what to use to clean them? Inspection guy said I could get new ones from dealer for about $70 each. Gotta be an easier (cheaper) way.

I've heard polishing compound will do the trick.

Jan

The best way is to replace them as the plastic actually yellows and will never truly come clear again. The other problem is that the mirrored finish inside often wears away too thus reducing light output.
I have an '87 stang as a daily driver and until I replaced them recently I removed the old ones (to work on them easier) and sanded them lightly with extra fine steel wool. This removes the thin layer of UV protectant that is on them from the factory and to diminish chips and scratches. I then buffed them with Brasso ( yep, I said Brasso) cleaned and painted them with clear Polyureathane to make them somewhat clear and shiney again. I've actually looked at ways to install sealed beams in mine at one time but gave up as it wasn't worth the hassle of cutting up the header panels to make it fit and I also needed this car on Monday! Once I got a parts car that had fairly new ones my incentive deminished too. HTH Stu

Believe it or not, I've heard "Bon Ami" cleanser or toothpaste will make em usable again...Makes sense, both arre mild abrasives.
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There is also Maguires plastic cleaner and plastic polish. They are a liquid polishing compound that comes in several grades or grits. You can get it at motorcycle shops, boat stores and airplane supplys. They use it to clean and polish clear plastic windshields. Its the same Maguires that make car polish. There are other brands also.

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On 2004-04-08 20:34, fxcomet wrote:
Believe it or not, I've heard "Bon Ami" cleanser or toothpaste will make em usable again...Makes sense, both arre mild abrasives.

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Actually I used Comet too after the steel wool (similar to Bon Ami) then I used Brasso as a final polish as it has a finer grit abrasive and acts like a final compound for buffing. I've actually heard of someone using brake fluid to clean them but I have no proof and I'm not sure how it would work.
I suppose if you have a wool cloth wheel on a grinder and get some "rouge" you could get a good polish on it but the plastic may still be a bit cloudy. Sometimes I wish Ford had used glass like some GM cars had but being quite large I'm sure breakage would be too common plus Ford would be trying to reduce weight by using plastic too. Stu

I just grab the #7 &amp; the buffer.
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Mothers...I use it on the lenses...works 80%.
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Thanks for the replys. I used polishing compound, and they look like new (almost).

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/article19.html

Try that im sure it will help you.