Cleaning Mercedes 'Plastic' headlights

[BigBob]

Hi

Simple question - just hope there's a simple answer

The Headlamps on my 02 E320 look dull - not opaque but the shine has definately gone. Have done a Google search and it's thrown up everything from WD40 through toothpaste to a 4 stage grinding/polishing process.

Thought I'd ask the experts on here for their advice.

Thanks in advance.

BB

[retrorider]

If on a budget you can get a compound foam polishing head for a drill (ebay).You will also need some 1000 grit wet & dry paper and some Farecla G3 compound and some masking tape.A cheap water bottle with a spray nozzle would be handy also.

Double mask all around the lights.Then with wet 1000 grit paper,flat the lights in a circular motion.Then use G3 wet and polish back until clear and finish off with some polish or glass cleaner.Should take about an hour per headlight.

Edited by retrorider on Tuesday 30th September 15:55

[BigBob]

Thanks - I'll try that first chance I get

BB

[retrorider]

Forgot to say,keep the polisher on the move at all times.Do not stay in one place or you will need new light units...

[Pommygranite]

retrorider said:

If on a budget you can get a compound foam polishing head for a drill (ebay).You will also need some 1000 grit wet & dry paper and some Farecla G3 compound and some masking tape.A cheap water bottle with a spray nozzle would be handy also.

Double mask all around the lights.Then with wet 1000 grit paper,flat the lights in a circular motion.Then use G3 wet and polish back until clear and finish off with some polish or glass cleaner.Should take about an hour per headlight.

Edited by retrorider on Tuesday 30th September 15:55

This pretty much.

I just did mine.

Mask the area.

Get 1000, 1500, 2000 and ideally 2500/3000 grit paper.

Bucket soapy water. Soak paper then start with 1000 go horizontal and keep wet and sand for 10 minutes or so. Then go vertical with 1500 again keeping area wet. The horizontal with 2000 then vertical with 2500/3000 and so on.

Half way in you'll think you're just screwing it up but keep going.

Get Megiuars Plastix to finish off. Should be good as new.

[226bhp]

See what T-cut or similar applied with a cloth does before buying a load of gear, I did mine this aft and it did the job ok.

[BigBob]

Thanks guys - I might just go with the T-cut first as since I had a stroke a few years back my fine motor control in my hands isn't brilliant and I don't want to end up ruining the headlights.

If the Tcut doesn't wotk it might be off to a pro to do it

BB

[sospan]

Seen you tube vids of people using toothpaste!
The tooth whitening stuff is a very fine polish/ abrasive and hand polished on the lenses.
Appeared to work from the vids but not very clearly seen.
May be worth a try, as any unused will give you a Richard Hammond smile!!!