I know this isn't the forum for this and the mods are going to move it to the "Exterior" forum, but I wanted to catch some of you 6.5 guys' attention before that happened. I did a search in that forum and only turned up one thread with no answer to my question.... http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16297&highlight=headlight+oxidation

Have any of you ever used carb cleaner or something similar to wipe the oxidation off of your blinker and/or headlight lenses?

I know this isn't the forum for this and the mods are going to move it to the "Exterior" forum, but I wanted to catch some of you 6.5 guys' attention before that happened. I did a search in that forum and only turned up one thread with no answer to my question.... http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16297&highlight=headlight+oxidation

Have any of you ever used carb cleaner or something similar to wipe the oxidation off of your blinker and/or headlight lenses?

I ordered NEW front and rear lights... Grill was cracked and I ordered one of those too... Ebay.

I know this isn't the forum for this and the mods are going to move it to the "Exterior" forum, but I wanted to catch some of you 6.5 guys' attention before that happened. I did a search in that forum and only turned up one thread with no answer to my question.... http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16297&highlight=headlight+oxidation

Have any of you ever used carb cleaner or something similar to wipe the oxidation off of your blinker and/or headlight lenses?

I would avoid using carb cleaner on anything plastic. As a matter of fact, the solvent is likely to haze the surface even worse than it is now.

The best product I've used is made by NuFinish, and is called scratch-doctor. I have used many different plastic polishes, but that stuff seems to work the best.

I (like many others) have simply resorted to buying new headlight housings. I bought some from LMC truck, -but ended up returning them because they did not fit very well at all. I ended up with new GM housings, -they fit perfectly, and the headlights work 10 times better than they did before, -not to mention making the truck look a lot better.

Mr. Tailight has new lenses.

Price is good, and they look sharp.

www.mrtaillight.com

Tim

Here is a good article on how to clean up your old lights....saves some $$$....



http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50839

I'm with Tim, racer of the bovines.. I bought a complete light kit from Mr. Taillight.

i would think it's not so much oxidation that yellows the lights but more to do with the sunshine hitting them. ultra violet light. you'd almost think the acid rain would clean them up as well. me i went out and ebayed a set of projector beam headlights. and new clear signal lights, clear front marker lights and altezza style tail lights.

I'll pass on the new lenses, Cowracer. But the Highbeam Conversion Kit for $9.99 was too good to pass up.

Thanks for the link, Chris. I'll pick up some rubbing and polishing compounds and see if I can't make em shine again. Have you tried it?

I guess I'm more inclined to spend my cash on the new timing set & IP installation, and a Heath or Kennedy chip.

I just got a used set of taillights from another member here. They got scuffed pretty good in the shipping box. My body man buffed them out with rubbing compound and a buffing wheel. Said he did hazed headlights that way, too.

I used some cheap rubbing compound on mine and it cleaned them up somewhat. The article that Chris put up sounds like the answer, I was just too lazy to follow through with the sanding.

Thanks for the link, Chris. I'll pick up some rubbing and polishing compounds and see if I can't make em shine again. Have you tried it?


I haven't tried it yet but it is on my long 'to do' list...

I put some bleach in mine, let it soak for about 15 mins rinsed and then polished the outsides with some compound and wax. Looks alot better.

I'm to tight to get new ones. Like the artical ChrisK1500 posted I wet sanded mine 2000 grit and bought a polishing kit from Autozone ( 5 minute Optical polish). I did front lights but only one taillight. They look good. On the headlights I shaved the 3 nipples off for a smooth look. This beats buying new ones. I did read abought someone saying you can spray a clear coat of paint over the taillight when done.

I just used regular plastic polish. A cordless drill and attachment. worked great!

Permatex makes a complete headlight restoration kit, includes everything you need to restore old yellow lights to newish looking lens.

It's available at most Auto parts stores, and probably Walmart, for less than $10 bucks.

I did mine on my work Astro van, which I drive lots on the Hwy and had discolored over the many miles and years.

Quick 6

I bought some expensive aftermarket headlights from Mr. Taillight. After about 2 months the reflective material on one light started flaking off. Then they filled with moisture. Emailed Mr. Tailight for an exchange, and he refused to stand behind his product. Referred me to the manufacturer. I'll never shop there again!:mad:

FOLLOWUP:

I went ahead and used carb cleaner. Soaked a clean, lint-free rag with carb cleaner and wiped it across the lenses of the blinkers and the headlights. It seriously cleaned the yellowing right off!

I let them dry, and then wet sanded them with 1000, then 2000. Then let them dry again. Then hit 'em with rubbing compound, then polishing compound, then waxed them twice.

They look like new again. We'll see how long it lasts though. Worst case is I have to buy new blinkers and headlight housings, which some of you recommended anyway.

With clear lenses and the High Beam Conversion Kit from Mr. Taillight, I'm hoping to notice a significant improvement in my headlights.

Mine are a little clouded and yellowed, but I plan to pimp my 'burban out a little in the near future with aftermarket projector-style headlamps, LED taillamps, and a billet aluminum grille. This will be after I rebuild the front-end suspension and do the rear drum brakes - mechanical issues come before cosmetics.

Mine are a little clouded and yellowed, but I plan to pimp my 'burban out a little in the near future with aftermarket projector-style headlamps, LED taillamps, and a billet aluminum grille. This will be after I rebuild the front-end suspension and do the rear drum brakes - mechanical issues come before cosmetics.

I got the all clear front lights all aroud. check out my garage.):h

Has anyone picked up a restoration kit at napa? I went to the hardware store, and they didn't have 2000 grit sandpaper (only 1500), and there's a REALLY hot girl working at napa. Call me patetic, but I don't want to make an *** of myself if they don't have it.:idiot:

I've used the permatex kit and it worked good.

Bathtub or shower cleaner works great for this.

My lights were as yellow as my wife toes nails and just and scratchy too, so I started looking at my options

1. NEW OEM units from the stealership. Yeah right 200.00 a pop
2. Junk yard. Couldn't find anything decent
3. E-bay el cheapos. Been there done that. They leak, don't fit, and as others have mentioned, the chrome peels quickly.

So I tried some PLASTIX rubbing compound with no luck. These lights were toast. Then I tried the sandpaper method with AWESOME results.

I now have new looking lights for about 10.00 in supplies.

Before PiC ( after rubbing with just the PLASTIX)

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=24653&stc=1&d=1157178237

After sanding
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=24654&stc=1&d=1157178237

Before and after final polishing

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=24655&stc=1&d=1157178237

WOW Chopperman. Those pictures say it all.

Bought new lights from Mr.Tailight. Bought high beam kit with it also.
Best investment in truck by far.

I bought the high beam kit from Mr. Taillight as well. For $9.99, how could I say no?

I'm taking them on their maiden voyage tonight. I have hi expectations, after hearing from other customers of his.

My lights were as yellow as my wife toes nails and just and scratchy too, so I started looking at my options

:funnypost

Did the sandpaper thing, rubbing then polishing compounds on the truck, my car and my daughter's Honda Civic and all came off looking like new.