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2003 ES headlight chrome tarnished, cloudy

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Old 03-07-07, 12:54 PM
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dunnojack
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Default 2003 ES headlight chrome tarnished, cloudy

I don't know if it has to do with the car being parked outside all day,
but the chrome under the plastic cover is all cloudy, brown, and tarnished...... or maybe it's the plastic? It looks like it's on the inside..

how do I remedy this?

Last edited by dunnojack; 03-07-07 at 01:46 PM.
Old 03-08-07, 10:28 AM
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vin 78
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Pic's?

I think your clear plastic headlight shield is turning yellowish from the sun, not the chrome inside...

You could do a wet sand and polish to clear things up again.
In the future, if you ever buy new ones or do the sand/polish, do your self a favor and buy the clear film that goes over your headlamps this will protect it from UV rays.

I had them installed when I bought my `01 headlamps about 3-4 years ago and they still look new - no yellowing what so ever.
Old 03-08-07, 12:53 PM
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Lexucan
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If it's the clear plastic lens that is cloudy you could try Meguiars Plast-X on it. I've used it and it does a great job.
Old 03-08-07, 01:28 PM
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LXMN
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Try the Meguiars PlastX first. If it does not work then wet sand and polish. If that does not work, then there is moisture inside the headlamp that has stained the interior parts and you will need to crack it open in order to clean inside.
Old 03-08-07, 01:47 PM
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dunnojack
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I've read that the plastic polishes and sanding don't prevent further yellowing, and can actually speed up its return to yellow.

will the clear film prevent yellowing after polishing it up?

the bug eyes are round. seems like it would be hard to apply clear film on it.

does wax offer any protection?
Old 03-08-07, 02:38 PM
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Cool

Originally Posted by dunnojack
will the clear film prevent yellowing after polishing it up?
Advice from above from Vin78:
Originally Posted by vin 78
...if you ever buy new ones or do the sand/polish, do your self a favor and buy the clear film that goes over your headlamps this will protect it from UV rays.

I had them installed when I bought my `01 headlamps about 3-4 years ago and they still look new - no yellowing what so ever.
Old 03-08-07, 10:02 PM
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RSX989
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What is this clear film called? I got my headlights 2 years ago. One looks new and the other is yellow.
Old 03-08-07, 10:09 PM
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vin 78
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^^^
This is the brand that I'm using

http://www.xpel.com/products/headlight.asp

There are other brands though.
Old 03-08-07, 10:12 PM
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vin 78
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`00-01 (6-pc.)
http://www.xpel.com/products/configu...e=23&model=366

`97-`99 (6-pc.)
http://www.xpel.com/products/configu...e=23&model=366

`02 (4 pc.)
http://www.xpel.com/products/configu...e=23&model=366

$70 for the front lights.
great price

Last edited by vin 78; 03-08-07 at 10:17 PM.
Old 03-08-07, 11:40 PM
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dunnojack
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Originally Posted by vin 78
$70 for the front lights.
great price
hot damn.

I'd rather buy 14 bottles of plastx.

i looked at my lights again, and it does look like it's just the outside layer. the sunlight just made it look worse than it really is. it looks manageable.
Old 03-16-07, 11:00 AM
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steviej
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my 02 headlights started to do the same thing right along the clear edge of the headlight closest to the hood. It was happening on both headlights.
My detailer buffed it right out when I brought the car into him for the whole shabang. It is slowly creaping back, but will be buffed out again when the car goes back to the detailer in May.

steviej
Old 03-17-07, 06:13 PM
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Meguire's Plast X is not availible everywhere, so I can't get my hands on some. But that wasn't a problem for me. I tried chrome polish (originally was supposed to be used for my wheels), YES CHROME POLISH! And it works so good that my headlight looks flawless. The brand was Mother's Chrome Polish.
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