Hey there guys, for what it's worth and to justify my hour or so of sanding i thought i'd just show you nice results of using the "Permatex Headlight Restoration Kit" I got from sprint auto parts for $31.95.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/5066/beforeaftern.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/40/beforeaftern.jpg/)

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/1886/beforeafter2g.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/267/beforeafter2g.jpg/)

Did you take the headlights out and dismantle them to clean inside and out or just do the outside?

Nah mate just the outside. Basically, the kit comes with 4 grits of sandpaper which you work on the front of the headlights, you'd be surprised how much build up there is -.- haha. And then after you polish them with a polish it comes with.
I'm guessing the same results could be made just buying the same grits cheaply from a hardware store. Just in case anyone's interested the grits were: 1000,1500,2000,2500

Used the turtle wax brand on a friends civic, went from crappy yellow to near new. It's crazy what one of those kits can do

you need to get a kit with the clear sealer in it otherwise if you just polish them they will go off again. Invision make a kit with the sealer.

Just going through a few eBay items and it seems standard car wax is ok.

Have a look at what I have done previously with a different kit.
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97865&highlight=

Just going through a few eBay items and it seems standard car wax is ok.

You are right, in future if you want to restore you headlights and dont want to use one of these kits you can use a car cutting compound to, to remove and oxidization or cloudiness, especially since it wont take as much as it did before you dont need something as abrasive.

Yeah i'm guessing the oxidation will return but hey, for now i'll enjoy it!
It really just makes the difference when you clean the car, that silvery shimmer of the parabolics just looks too good!

I used Platix from Meguires on the my Audi A8 headlights, to remove some very slight colour issues and also oxidation. They came up really really great. I do however, think you would need that sealant. I have used it on 3rd gen headlights before. It is brilliant. Since it is sandpaper though, I am still a bit hesitant about using it on the Audi with headlights worth $900 each.

So buffing compound is ok to use? My TL headlights are starting to show some cloudiness, might give that a go.

So buffing compound is ok to use? My TL headlights are starting to show some cloudiness, might give that a go.

Just make sure what ever one you are using is suitable for plastic and your all set.

I used Platix from Meguires on the my Audi A8 headlights, to remove some very slight colour issues and also oxidation. They came up really really great. I do however, think you would need that sealant. I have used it on 3rd gen headlights before. It is brilliant. Since it is sandpaper though, I am still a bit hesitant about using it on the Audi with headlights worth $900 each.

With good reason, plastic headlights have a UV resistant layer, sanding this removes the layer, so now they will require more maintenance then they did before.

My recommendation for anyone trying this is to wear decent gloves, I big blisters on each of my index fingers D:

Were you using the sand paper around the wrong way? lol

I used the old toothpaste trick. Came up decent, I think it will come back pretty quick though so when I have time I will get a proper kit with a sealant.

Are the parabolic headlights plastic or glass?

Are the parabolic headlights plastic or glass?

1 piece are plastic and 2 piece are glass

Is it better to have glass or plastic?

I have used regular cutting compound, a fine cutting compound and one specially for headlight lenses (the PlastiX). The latter two came up with the best results, though they all failed the long term test. Maybe for very light UV damage, but beyond that... you need to go deeper.

I dont think there is any proper way besides sanding. It is sand paper, but a very fine grit. Power sanding is not recommended as heat damages the lenses. Hence wet sanding. Just tape up the car well and you will be gleaming when youre done!

Ive noticed angled lenses suffer the worst. They get the full force of the UV... We are lucky ours are pretty flat! I did once notice a Corolla (which I tend to see the worst yellowing on) with a completely clear lens. I did notice it had headlight protectors. So Im guessing they have something in/on them to protect them from UV which in turn saves the headlights.

Glass is more fragile, but it doesnt yellow. I wish they had one piece in glass!

Has anyone disassembled TL headlights to clean the inside?

You would think that if their properly sealed they wouldn't need cleaning or am I mistaken

You can also have them professionally restored by Car Care detailing like I did hear in Sydney, Im sure they're all over Aus.
They only charged $66 & they come to you, they still look like new & its now been 10 months!

I've heard people actually clear coat their lights sometimes to make sure they stay nice. Meguiars also makes a headlight sealer.
I never wet sanded it and it would only last like 2 months tops, even with the sealer.
As soon as I wet sanded it, used PlastX, and the headlight sealer, the only time it looks dirty is when the car needs to be washed, and then they're back to clear and very very smooth. Except the inside, which I need to get around to doing..
I've also heard brake fluid, but I would definitely not do that on a car with a paint job you care about, unless your really careful.

You are right, in future if you want to restore you headlights and dont want to use one of these kits you can use a car cutting compound to, to remove and oxidization or cloudiness, especially since it wont take as much as it did before you dont need something as abrasive.

Just used Kitten cutting compound on the TL lights using a power polisher very carefully they came up pretty good, not as good as new but good enough.

Is car care detailing the name of this company?
I used the rainx kit and with the sealer it's nice but after a few days it looks cloudy again...I at least removed the yellow colour :)

You can also have them professionally restored by Car Care detailing like I did hear in Sydney, Im sure they're all over Aus.
They only charged $66 & they come to you, they still look like new & its now been 10 months!

I've restored my 1 piece paras by sanding, then spraying a couple of coats of clear coat. This seals the light and protects it for the future.

I had the same thought about the clear coat, I can see the benifits, bjt is common automotive sealer really designed to handle the heat produced by the globes?, especially high beam....thoughts?

Yes the clear coatings will normally be more than alright to handle to high beam, of course though its a case by case scenario depending on how long you are running them constantly on for and what wattage globes you are using, but for standard use it'll be fine.

Yes the clear coatings will normally be more than alright to handle to high beam, of course though its a case by case scenario depending on how long you are running them constantly on for and what wattage globes you are using, but for standard use it'll be fine.

clear coat should be ok. my lenses are clearcoated and im pretty sure a HID globe puts more heat out than halogen globes...