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Ken57
New User
Jan 22, 2009, 7:15 PM
Post #1 of 10
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I know everyone has seen the faded plastic or Lexan headlight covers. It is simple to make those clear again, just spray them with clear lacquer spray paint. Learned this one from one of my customers that prepares autos for sale at the auction. Better than spending the $40.00 for the polishing kit.
(link removed)
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Jan 22, 2009, 7:21 PM)
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Jeff Norfolk
Enthusiast
Jan 22, 2009, 7:33 PM
Post #2 of 10
(6867 views)
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Re: Fogged headlamps
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Deep woods Off and a cotton towel works well also.
Jeff
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 22, 2009, 7:34 PM
Post #3 of 10
(6866 views)
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Re: Fogged headlamps
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Ken; I don't see how clear lacquer spray paint would remove the oxidation that causes the "fading". Might make it "look" better?
Loren
SW Washington
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 22, 2009, 7:39 PM
Post #4 of 10
(6863 views)
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Re: Fogged headlamps
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Loren,
Don't ask me how but damn "clear engine enamel spray" works like magic OR might destroy a plastic lense?? Done it - first tested with just a Q tip on one spot. Fogs up first and within the day dries crystal clear!
Did that to a resto job 30+ yo car with butt clenched and shocked that it worked - even took out spider webbing look.
That was old plastic and a directional lense. Who knows on these headlamp lenses. Tried some polish by Meguires on a couple and they looked better but no prize,
T
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 22, 2009, 7:55 PM
Post #5 of 10
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Re: Fogged headlamps
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Tom; That's interesting. Unsure how it would work or how long it would last. We've done a couple of cars with the 'kits' which I won't buy again. Much cheaper just buying the stuff ala carte, and very labor intensive. (one was my son's car). Have to admit, it did work. I don't understand why they get that way, in the first place. None of my vehicles have done it. (all since '92 have had the plastic lenses).
Did you find Kitty after my dog chased her (or him)? LOL. Crystal was sure checking her out. Maybe, she didn't have 'chasing' on her mind. Hmmmm. She's a weird dog. LOL.
Loren
SW Washington
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 23, 2009, 3:47 AM
Post #6 of 10
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Re: Fogged headlamps
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Loren - Others,
This trick was done on a 1969 Lincoln Continental's directional lenses. Must admit they weren't as stained as they were just "old" looking and had sparkle like cracks that weren't real cracks. Car was sound and resto was dominantly cosmetic finished in "Continental's - Mocha Beige Pearlescent" OE color for 1993. This was ~1993 on a 1969 auto mind you to be road ready and in "like new" condition by 1994 (25 years marks 'Antique' for registering cars that way in MA) and was then put on road and shown, Loudon, NH's show 1999 and 2000.
Car looked a bit stupid with surreal paint work and such lousy lenses. I don't know what possessed me to really try the clear engine paint but I had been doing that to assorted parts for years before that which gave them a new look.
Note: As first post suggests it is a Lacquer spray. One in front of me now says 'Enamel' both purchased at NAPA locally and somehow I think I used one WAS marked Lacquer based but have used the Enamel on other things and it works - not sure on all plastics or automotive lenses at the moment.
The original lenses were one hollow piece such that you needed to paint inside where bulb socket mounted. They instantly fogged like a shower door and I freaked! I had tried this with broken bits of assorted junkyard lens plastic first with the same results. Let then sit in the sun for hours and they started to clear. Took forever but when finished (took a whole day) stayed as a like new lens! BTW - I was ready and willing to get new lenses for a king's ransom if all failed.
Sold that car in 2005 or so to a *collector and lenses were still fine. With that - I'll call it a permanent fix! In fairness I think the result was a tad clearer than OE which had some intentional frosting which did also disappear?
Note: Kitty would freak at the sight of a Dog! I don't think she'd come out to play
T
* Collector is nearby fanatic who owns the famous "MISS PACKARD" which I saw when I delivered the car. OMG - I've never seen such intense woodworking on a piano never mind a boat. See post below - I have an ad for that boat if it shows....
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Jan 23, 2009, 3:58 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 23, 2009, 3:54 AM
Post #7 of 10
(6849 views)
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Re: Fogged headlamps - Finishes and Miss Packard
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THIS IS THE "MISS PACKARD" SPOKEN OF IN PRIOR POST! OUTSTANDING IN EVERY REGARD. WAS TOLD ENGINE WAS FROM A CRATED "ARMY" ENGINE DESIGNED FOR USE IN TANKS FROM PERHAPS WWII ERA??
Price: $450,000.00 OBO
Call Currie at 888-665-XXXX 
Built in 2001 Length:37 Ft. 0 in.
Beam: 8 Ft. 6 in.
Draft: 2 Ft. 10 in. Fuel Tank Capacity: 184 Gallons
Dry Weight: 12200 lbs
HIN: 000001
Hull Color: Honduras Mahogany
Cruising Speed: 40 Knots
Speed Max: 65 Knots
Cruising Consumption: 60 Gallons Per Hour
Displacement: 12800 lbs.
Location: Massachusetts
Type: High Performance Boats
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way2old
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 23, 2009, 3:51 PM
Post #8 of 10
(6842 views)
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Re: Fogged headlamps - Finishes and Miss Packard
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Have you tried Brasso and a buffing cover on a slow turning drill? All ex-military has a can of Brasso around. Just ask.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 23, 2009, 4:13 PM
Post #9 of 10
(6840 views)
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Re: Fogged headlamps - Finishes and Miss Packard
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Good stuff too.
What happened when it worked with the spray was more like the plastic was heated and not like clear painted over. It became part of the plastic like it was melting it and probably was!
There have to be different plastics used and the spray just might destroy the lense!
T
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 23, 2009, 4:24 PM
Post #10 of 10
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Re: Fogged headlamps - Finishes and Miss Packard
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That IS a beauty! 37' boat @ 60mph? That's fast, especially back then! Back in the 60's I remember seeing a lot of those old Mercs and Chris Crafts (mahogany) on the lake. I drooled over them, then.
Loren
SW Washington
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