97 Outback - headlamp lenses dulling

[Kevin (archive)]

I have recently noticed that my 97 outback's headlamp lens' are getting pretty dull, especially on the driver side (probably because the right one was changed when my wife smashed up the car). the lenses seem to have very fine surface scratches.. Obviously it's from driving the car. But, does anyone know of any way to polish these out? I don't want to start experimenting myself. I don't have the $230.00 for each side at this point if i really screw them up.

thanks for your recommendations!

Kevin

 

[Frank Logullo]

I have recently noticed that my 97 outback's headlamp lens' are getting pretty dull, especially on the driver side (probably because the right one was changed when my wife smashed up the car). the lenses seem to have very fine surface scratches.. Obviously it's from driving the car. But, does anyone know of any way to polish these out? I don't want to start experimenting myself. I don't have the $230.00 for each side at this point if i really screw them up.

I used to use toothpaste to polish up a plastic watch crystal.
Frank

 

[Rat]

Novus plastic polish does a great job on this.
http://www.noscratch.com/novus/
You could also wetsand them with a very fine grit sandpaper.

Either way, the dulling will go away and then come back in a few months or so. The only real way to get rid of it is to start from scratch with a new lense.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Some cars' Euro and Japan spec versions have glass lenses.(they don't have CAFE laws) If it gets bad, maybe try to replace from overseas wrecking yard.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[L. Kreh]

What about Scotchguard Paint Protection? I know most paint protection deals are scams, but this is an film that you apply to the car. It should work fine on a headlight. The ad even features the clear headlight lens from a Subaru Forester:

http://cms.3m.com/cms/US/en/2-168/czuzlFH/view.jhtml

-LK

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Not sure it would work on the lenses due to heat. Besides. the material comes precut for your car and is a little pricy. There ARE however plastic protective film covers for fog lamps so you may have a good idea.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[L. Kreh]

Not to nitpick, because you might be right, but the most common application for 3M's paint protection film is on the leading edge of a hood (rock protection). Think about how hot a dark-colored hood gets on a sunny summer day -- safe to say hotter than the clear plastic lens of a Subaru headlamp.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Good point. Perhaps it isn't offered for some simple reason as it may violate some DOT or other laws concerning 'safety equipment' (headlights) being modified/altered.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[S]

Hi Kevin, All!

I have recently noticed that my 97 outback's headlamp lens' are getting pretty dull,

Put a buffing wheel on a drill, or better yet an angle grinder, and buff 'em using the "blue" abrasive (designated for plastics). Be patient, and use light pressure; if you get overly ambitious you will overheat and smear the plastic lens. If you do this right, you can probably get them to "nearly-as-good-as-new" condition. Hope this helps.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[jimuntch]

My 97 Outback has the same problem with the headlight lenses becoming cloudy looking. I found this link... http://www.miata.net/garage/lenspolish.html .... but I haven't tried it yet. hth...jim