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- Dodge Ram 2nd, 3rd, 4th Gen How to Clean Foggy Headlights
Step by step instructions for the do-it-yourself repairs.
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Homemade or storeway to clean headlights?
Homemade or storeway to clean headlights?
#2
01-13-2009, 01:57 PM
WETSANDING:
Supplies:
Wet/dry sand paper 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, & 2000. If you can't find them all that’s okay. You can find them at any auto parts store. Get 1 or 2 sheets of each.
3M Rubbing Compound, it can be found at Kragen or any auto parts store in the auto paint section, by the sand paper. If not ask.
Instructions:
Start with the lowest grade sand paper (400, 600, 800....2000). Wet the sand paper before each use in a bucket of warm soapy water. Then start sanding headlight for about 3 to 4 minutes with each grid of sandpaper. Make sure the sand paper stays wet. Keep doing it until smooth...be patient. After done, dry and your lights will be a little hazy/cloudy..don't freak out. This is were the 3M rubbing compound comes in place. Follow the directions on the back of the bottle. Then it will look like new.
You may then want to try a product called LampGuard to protect your lenses from getting scratched up again.
Supplies:
Wet/dry sand paper 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, & 2000. If you can't find them all that’s okay. You can find them at any auto parts store. Get 1 or 2 sheets of each.
3M Rubbing Compound, it can be found at Kragen or any auto parts store in the auto paint section, by the sand paper. If not ask.
Instructions:
Start with the lowest grade sand paper (400, 600, 800....2000). Wet the sand paper before each use in a bucket of warm soapy water. Then start sanding headlight for about 3 to 4 minutes with each grid of sandpaper. Make sure the sand paper stays wet. Keep doing it until smooth...be patient. After done, dry and your lights will be a little hazy/cloudy..don't freak out. This is were the 3M rubbing compound comes in place. Follow the directions on the back of the bottle. Then it will look like new.
You may then want to try a product called LampGuard to protect your lenses from getting scratched up again.
#4
01-13-2009, 08:19 PM
#5
01-15-2009, 08:45 AM
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WETSANDING:
Supplies:
Wet/dry sand paper 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, & 2000. If you can't find them all that’s okay. You can find them at any auto parts store. Get 1 or 2 sheets of each.
3M Rubbing Compound, it can be found at Kragen or any auto parts store in the auto paint section, by the sand paper. If not ask.
Instructions:
Start with the lowest grade sand paper (400, 600, 800....2000). Wet the sand paper before each use in a bucket of warm soapy water. Then start sanding headlight for about 3 to 4 minutes with each grid of sandpaper. Make sure the sand paper stays wet. Keep doing it until smooth...be patient. After done, dry and your lights will be a little hazy/cloudy..don't freak out. This is were the 3M rubbing compound comes in place. Follow the directions on the back of the bottle. Then it will look like new.
You may then want to try a product called LampGuard to protect your lenses from getting scratched up again.
Supplies:
Wet/dry sand paper 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, & 2000. If you can't find them all that’s okay. You can find them at any auto parts store. Get 1 or 2 sheets of each.
3M Rubbing Compound, it can be found at Kragen or any auto parts store in the auto paint section, by the sand paper. If not ask.
Instructions:
Start with the lowest grade sand paper (400, 600, 800....2000). Wet the sand paper before each use in a bucket of warm soapy water. Then start sanding headlight for about 3 to 4 minutes with each grid of sandpaper. Make sure the sand paper stays wet. Keep doing it until smooth...be patient. After done, dry and your lights will be a little hazy/cloudy..don't freak out. This is were the 3M rubbing compound comes in place. Follow the directions on the back of the bottle. Then it will look like new.
You may then want to try a product called LampGuard to protect your lenses from getting scratched up again.
Glass lenses were outlawed to allegedly protect pedestrians who could have survived the impact but bled to death from the glass lens of headlights.
So to save the lives of the 2 people that were stupid enough to challenge a car, the consumers must pay $300 per set of new lights. Do the math and find out how much we are paying to save the lives of stupid people.
#6
01-15-2009, 09:26 AM
Have you ever tried this ??? I have restored countless sets of headlights using this method ...
1) Dodge uses a hardcoat on these lenses and unfortunately overtime it yellows and flakes ..
Using the sandpaper removes it , and also removes the rock/stone chips that happen overtime , Do you even know what 2000 grit feels like ?? It's almost like rubbing with notebook paper and does a great job of removing the scratches ...Final buffing removes the rest ...
Here's the way I look at it $20 and some elbow grease for a huge improvement , versus spending $300/$600 for a set of headlights
1) Dodge uses a hardcoat on these lenses and unfortunately overtime it yellows and flakes ..
Using the sandpaper removes it , and also removes the rock/stone chips that happen overtime , Do you even know what 2000 grit feels like ?? It's almost like rubbing with notebook paper and does a great job of removing the scratches ...Final buffing removes the rest ...
Here's the way I look at it $20 and some elbow grease for a huge improvement , versus spending $300/$600 for a set of headlights
#7
01-15-2009, 06:44 PM
All Star
Sanding works fantastically.
Here's the write up I did for 2g:
Here's the write up I did for 2g:
You will need:
Spray bottle for water
Wet/Dry sandpaper
320 grit (if yours were as bad as mine you'll need it)
400 grit
800 grit
1500 grit
2000 grit
Plastic Polish - I had 'Mothers'
Rag
Every item can be found at most auto stores and Walmart.
1.Spray water on the lense on give it a good sanding with your first sandpaper(320/400)
This is the main one so it will look horrible when you get first get done. Dont get crazy and press real hard, but get most of the crazing off. I moved it up and down over the entire lense, then side to side, then all around; make sure its wet the entire time.
2. Wipe all the water off, spray with water again and use your next grit.
These will buff and polish your lense back to its original clearness. Go over the entire surface again.
3.Use the same technique as your previous grits, and it will slowly get clearer.
Once you get to 2000grit youll really notice a difference, but it still wont be perfect, and it will look hazy.
4.Spray off the entire area with water and dry it good.
5.Finally, get out the plastic polish and buff away. I used a buff pad attached to a cordless drill and really worked it in.
let it dry per instructions on bottle, and wipe off.
Spray bottle for water
Wet/Dry sandpaper
320 grit (if yours were as bad as mine you'll need it)
400 grit
800 grit
1500 grit
2000 grit
Plastic Polish - I had 'Mothers'
Rag
Every item can be found at most auto stores and Walmart.
1.Spray water on the lense on give it a good sanding with your first sandpaper(320/400)
This is the main one so it will look horrible when you get first get done. Dont get crazy and press real hard, but get most of the crazing off. I moved it up and down over the entire lense, then side to side, then all around; make sure its wet the entire time.
2. Wipe all the water off, spray with water again and use your next grit.
These will buff and polish your lense back to its original clearness. Go over the entire surface again.
3.Use the same technique as your previous grits, and it will slowly get clearer.
Once you get to 2000grit youll really notice a difference, but it still wont be perfect, and it will look hazy.
4.Spray off the entire area with water and dry it good.
5.Finally, get out the plastic polish and buff away. I used a buff pad attached to a cordless drill and really worked it in.
let it dry per instructions on bottle, and wipe off.
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#8
01-15-2009, 06:57 PM
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#10
01-16-2009, 05:47 PM
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I think i screwed up my left one ;( i use the sandpaper from 320 to 800 and then this polisher from advanced auto parts...and the plastic its foggy a lot 
,... then i tried the polisher on the right one (without sanding) and its clear ... what can i do to fix the left one?
Do i need to add the polisher to the sandpaper?'
PS
Can i get aftermarket headlights for my Dodge Stratus 97 2.4 somwhere??
,... then i tried the polisher on the right one (without sanding) and its clear ... what can i do to fix the left one?Do i need to add the polisher to the sandpaper?'
PS
Can i get aftermarket headlights for my Dodge Stratus 97 2.4 somwhere??
Last edited by Linkinxp; 01-16-2009 at 06:14 PM.