R34 Gt-t Cloudy/oxidised Headlights

[llama_au]

I'm certain this would be a common issue, but I can't find the answers I'm looking for.

Basically I imported my GT-T at the start of the year, the headlights looked almost perfect when it arrived. Gradually over the course of the year the headlights have gone cloudy and oxidised. I used plastic polish on them and it worked to a degree, but as soon as any car wash solution hits them again they turn to shite. The driver's side particularly up close looks like the plastic is stressed, something a polish isn't going to remove.

My question is - how much would be reasonable to pay for second hand set? And is it common for the headlights on an R34 to do this? Or are the lens replaceable rather than buying the whole headlight? The headlights are HID, they weren't converted to halogens at compliance

[allthewaytotheskyline]

got a similar issue arising...hope to see some positive feedback

[Benzy]

Permatex do a special Headlight Restorer kit...It involves sanding the face of the headlight smooth with very fine grit sandpaper then using a special plastic polish/protector to buff it up with. Best part is you dont even have to pull the lights out. Did it on my missus' car, her lights were real bad and they came up perfect. Still are and I did them about 6months ago..

[kudos.motorsports]

Before going the full restore kits, may I suggest using a paint polish. I have done it on several sets and they have come up 99%.

[RusH_]

any recommended brands and their approx prices?

Edited October 26, 2008 by RusH_

[Howie]

Read my thread on polishing glass stains... you can use the same procedure on your headlights.

I recommend a heavy cut like Meguires Heavy Cut 9 on it... it'll come up a treat.

[our12]

Use brasso- save yourselves money.

[RusH_]

Read my thread on polishing glass stains... you can use the same procedure on your headlights.

I recommend a heavy cut like Meguires Heavy Cut 9 on it... it'll come up a treat.

linky?

[Howie]

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/St...l=window+stains

[llama_au]

I honestly think one headlight's lens is beyond saving, the plastic looks stressed. I'll try and get some pictures tomorrow to show you what I mean.

So I guess the main point of my question is how much is a good pair of second hand headlights, or is the lens a replaceable item?

Edit: had a look at your thread. All most my windows and badly etched by acid rain. I'll get some of the Meguiars Diamond cut polish you recommended. Thanks for the tip

[INVRTD]

plastX a meguiars plastic polish it works a treat, i have seen a new set of 34 xenons go for over 1200

[llama_au]

I've actually been using Meguiars Plastx, it's kind've past the point now.

[dori34]

ive done watever can be removed on the outside..

the rest is all in the inside i keep rubbing very firm & hard with a white rag and no more yellow/brown stains come on the rag.

i used plastX

[slknv]

llama, post a pic of your headlights otherwise it's kinda hard to tell how far gone yours are.

I did my headlights with plastx and came up a treat Before and after pics

[llama_au]

Will do tomorrow, I keep forgetting. Might be that I don't have enough strength to get much rubbing force going

[SS8_Gohan]

machine polish, with paint polish

don't worry, your headlights aren't gone, they just need a MACHINE polish.

Final Inspection might even be able to quote you just a headlight polish, althought i'd recommend getting a full detail anyway, Stage 2 includes headlight polishing i believe.

[llama_au]

Ah thanks for that, I'll have to ask them. But here's the photos I've been promising to get (I have higher res photos but I shrunk these down):

Passenger Side:

Driver's Side:

And from the front:

I think my use of PlastX has made them worse. As you can see, the passenger side head light is clearer but is pitted towards the top and has spots that are patchy on the face. The driver's side headlight is just terrible all over.

Do you think they're too far gone?

[SS8_Gohan]

i don't know about the pitting, but i reckon the rest will come out fine. where bouts are ya? i might be able to pop round one day and run the RO over them (asked masking the surrounding areas of course)

EDIT: saw croydon, hmm... bit of a hike...

[llama_au]

I've sent Final Inspection an email to see what they say. As you can see, it's not a case of them just being oxidised - something has happened to the plastic to cause that sort of pitting effect. What shits me is that it's happened over a period of 7 months or so. Prior to that they were fine

[SS8_Gohan]

do a lot of country driving?