How to clean the headlight and rear light lens?

palo-alto · 11-30-2005, 12:33 PM

During our 35 day, 13000 mile trip we broke the right rear taillight lens cover (head butted by a bighorn sheep in Jasper Nat'l Park, Canada) and had it replaced. With the shiny new one in place, the other lights/lens look noticeably 'smoky' -- l;ot of tiny scratches - even on the headlight lamp covers.

whats the best way to clean these? i think the gas-station squeegees and anti-freeze windwasher fluid may have done the damage as we had to clean all lights frequently driving in the snow and freezing rain in Canada and Montana/Idaho.

5S Dude · 11-30-2005, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palo-alto

During our 35 day, 13000 mile trip we broke the right rear taillight lens cover (head butted by a bighorn sheep in Jasper Nat'l Park, Canada) and had it replaced. With the shiny new one in place, the other lights/lens look noticeably 'smoky' -- l;ot of tiny scratches - even on the headlight lamp covers.

whats the best way to clean these? i think the gas-station squeegees and anti-freeze windwasher fluid may have done the damage as we had to clean all lights frequently driving in the snow and freezing rain in Canada and Montana/Idaho.

Hi palo-alto. You may try plexiglas polish on a small test area and see if it removes the scratches. This process worked on my dad's badly faded F-100 Headlight lens.

BannedUser · 11-30-2005, 02:09 PM

head butted by a bighorn sheep in Jasper Nat'l Park, Canada
Holy Cow..err..umm..I mean sheep.

Poor Ridgie.

3SuperSports · 11-30-2005, 02:14 PM

Meguiers makes a great clear plastic cleaner and clear plastic polish. I use them and am very happy with them.

palo-alto · 11-30-2005, 02:31 PM

thanks - i will try both suggested solutions.

btw, i washed them again today with soap and warm water and it is clear that there are thousands of mini-scratches everywhere. the truck is only 40 days old - i guess Honda did not use the higher quality acrylic or at least glass on the headlamps.

34ACMY · 11-30-2005, 02:40 PM

Try this, it's from Meguiar's, I use it on all sorts of clear plastic and it honestly does work.

http://www.meguiars.com/?boat-plasti...Cleaner-Polish

scottIN · 11-30-2005, 03:43 PM

If you want to fix them to just like new-take a look at this Hall of Fame post on Autopia. http://autopia.org/forum/showthread....t=light+polish

You could probably work from any point in the middle to the last step as well, depending on how far you want to take it.

Cajun Country Ridgeline · 11-30-2005, 04:43 PM

Three Weeks ago, I found a new product called Nu finish Scratch Doctor Clear Coat Scratch Remover.......Removes Surface Scratches, Swirl Marks & Haze. I think I found it in the automotive dept at Super Target.

It put a really nice shine on the Head LIghts. It also removed the bug gut a lot easier.

dboz · 11-30-2005, 07:08 PM

Meguiars SCRATCH EX works also.

kanji · 11-30-2005, 09:32 PM

Also, isn't there a type of film that you can put on clear enough to let light through but tough enough not to let the lense scratch? Like a clear Vynal clear coat sticker type...similar what you would put on a PDA to prevent the screen from scratching.

11-30-2005, 12:33 PM	#1
palo-alto ROC Rank: Freshman Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 18	How to clean the headlight and rear light lens? During our 35 day, 13000 mile trip we broke the right rear taillight lens cover (head butted by a bighorn sheep in Jasper Nat'l Park, Canada) and had it replaced. With the shiny new one in place, the other lights/lens look noticeably 'smoky' -- l;ot of tiny scratches - even on the headlight lamp covers. whats the best way to clean these? i think the gas-station squeegees and anti-freeze windwasher fluid may have done the damage as we had to clean all lights frequently driving in the snow and freezing rain in Canada and Montana/Idaho.

11-30-2005, 02:09 PM	#3
BannedUser Banned 2006 *Not a Ridgeline owner Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6,840	Re: How to clean the headlight and rear light lens? head butted by a bighorn sheep in Jasper Nat'l Park, Canada Holy Cow..err..umm..I mean sheep. Poor Ridgie.

11-30-2005, 02:14 PM	#4
3SuperSports ROC Rank: Sophomore 2006 RTS Nighthawk Black / Beige Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lee's Summit, MO Posts: 123	Re: How to clean the headlight and rear light lens? Meguiers makes a great clear plastic cleaner and clear plastic polish. I use them and am very happy with them.

11-30-2005, 02:31 PM	#5
palo-alto ROC Rank: Freshman Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 18	Re: How to clean the headlight and rear light lens? thanks - i will try both suggested solutions. btw, i washed them again today with soap and warm water and it is clear that there are thousands of mini-scratches everywhere. the truck is only 40 days old - i guess Honda did not use the higher quality acrylic or at least glass on the headlamps.

11-30-2005, 02:40 PM	#6
34ACMY ROC Rank: Freshman Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 10	Re: How to clean the headlight and rear light lens? Try this, it's from Meguiar's, I use it on all sorts of clear plastic and it honestly does work. http://www.meguiars.com/?boat-plasti...Cleaner-Polish

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Honda Ridgeline Owners Club Forums Advertisement

11-30-2005, 03:43 PM	#7
scottIN ROC Rank: Senior 2006 RTL Amazon Green / Olive Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New Castle, IN Posts: 751	Re: How to clean the headlight and rear light lens? If you want to fix them to just like new-take a look at this Hall of Fame post on Autopia. http://autopia.org/forum/showthread....t=light+polish You could probably work from any point in the middle to the last step as well, depending on how far you want to take it.

11-30-2005, 04:43 PM	#8
Cajun Country Ridgeline ROC Rank: 1k Comma Club 2006 RTL Billet Silver / Gray Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SW Louisiana Posts: 1,393	Re: How to clean the headlight and rear light lens? Three Weeks ago, I found a new product called Nu finish Scratch Doctor Clear Coat Scratch Remover.......Removes Surface Scratches, Swirl Marks & Haze. I think I found it in the automotive dept at Super Target. It put a really nice shine on the Head LIghts. It also removed the bug gut a lot easier. __________________ SILVER RIDGELINE RTL/S/R Moonroof, XM, Foglights, Roof Rack, Bed Extender, Running Boards, Trailer Hitch Package,Rear Splash Guards, Hood Air Deflector, Dark Floor Carpets, PinStriping, Full Size Spare,G E Nighthawk headlights 9003/HB2 Honda Door Visors. RAMPAGE 49" L.E.D. Brake Light w/indicators. Boss 318 Chrome 17x8 wheel on General Tire Grabber HTS 245/65R17 LRR,111T,XL's. 2007 CX-7 Grand Touring with Technology Package,many extras.

11-30-2005, 07:08 PM	#9
dboz ROC Rank: Sophomore Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 176	Re: How to clean the headlight and rear light lens? Meguiars SCRATCH EX works also.

11-30-2005, 09:32 PM	#10
kanji ROC Rank: 1k Comma Club 2006 RTL Amazon Green / Olive Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: SoCal, Palmdale Posts: 1,958	Re: How to clean the headlight and rear light lens? Also, isn't there a type of film that you can put on clear enough to let light through but tough enough not to let the lense scratch? Like a clear Vynal clear coat sticker type...similar what you would put on a PDA to prevent the screen from scratching. __________________ Anthony aka Kanji "My personal world has collapsed, and seeing the outside world around me, I feel lost and confused with desire and nothing to focus on." -Anonymous

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
2006 Honda Ridgeline Features	T Mac	First Generation (2006-present)	31	09-17-2008 05:14 AM