As I read peoples comments about how they would clean their headlights, I understand why it is best to get a professional to do certain jobs. None of the people telling you to use an abrasive on plastic had any understanding of the importance of the UV layer and why it should not be removed. Sure in cases where there is severe damage your options are few but for oxidation removal sandpaper is a ridiculous solution.
If you were to ask these individuals what is the difference between headlights of today and 30 years ago most would only tell you that they are plastic. Thats only part of the story.
30 years ago refractive sealed beams were made of glass. a one piece solid construction. These glass headlights could be cleaned with polish and toothpaste.
These headlights were replaced by the plastic refractive composite lens. A two piece headlight with a layered lens surface with a replaceable bulb.
Those were replaced with the UV layered non refractive lens lens of the same composite.
Toothpaste and polish will damage and dull the protective outer UV layer on plastic headlights.
Without that layer your headlights begin to yellow and decay like anything that is exposed to air after being sealed in a air tight environment for years.
Your best bet is to remove oxidation without risking removal of the UV layer.
Headlight cleaners that do not address this fact do more harm than good.
What works on glass does not work on plastic, glass headlights do not have a UV layer so polish will not harm them and they are much harder than plastic so they will not cloud from abrasives in polish but sandpaper should not be used on glass either because it is hard enough to scratch and damage the surface.
If your intent is to resurface, abrasives are the method of choice but even then you should have a professional do the job. These do it your self sandpaper "grit" kits are not the best answer.
If the intent is to remove oxidation, you can do that your self and save time money and aggravation by ignoring those well meaning but uninformed suggestions to use sandpaper on plastic headlights.
90% or more of headlight cleaning is due to the build up of natural oxidation. The other 10% is due to abrasive damage and friction based cleaning methods.
The fact is with a non abrasive deoxidizer you can always go back and resurface the lens if oxidation was not the problem but once you use something as aggressive as sandpaper on your headlight lens, there is no turning back.
Choose wisely.
http://reviews.ebay.com/THE-TRUTH-AB...00000000945494