Headlights are scratched and foggy - Altima Forums.net - The Nissan Altima Enthusiast Talk and Discussion Forums

mmmouche · 06-19-2008

I have a 2002 model and both headlights have some moisture but are mainly dingy and foggy looking with lots of tiny scratches on the surface. I don't know if there is anything worth trying that's cheaper than buying new fixtures all together. I heard of a product called Novus, for removing scratches on acrylic, maybe this would work?

PhuckinPhil · 06-19-2008

If you want to avoid wet sanding and polishing, here is a how-to I created a while ago on another site:

http://www.dodgeintrepid.net/forums/...ad.php?t=84262

AltimaSL · 06-21-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhuckinPhil

If you want to avoid wet sanding and polishing, here is a how-to I created a while ago on another site:

http://www.dodgeintrepid.net/forums/...ad.php?t=84262

How long did it stay like that though? Because my aunt has an '05 with the same problem and the 3 different resurfacing kits didn't work. This is obviously a problem with the 3rd gens aerodynamic styling.

cwzkevin · 02-27-2010

Thanks for the info

02altimafan · 08-14-2010

hello, where i work we us a kit from BG Distributors, to restore headlamps, fog lamps, ive also done tail lamps. excellent kit

02altimafan · 08-14-2010

just restored my headlamps, looks like new!

Benny · 09-03-2010

Whenever you are restoring or resurfacing a light you MUST put a new protective coating on the lens - otherwise you are just polishing raw plastic which will oxidize (haze) or scratch again quickly. I had my lights done by a local mobile-shop called ClearVu - Eric the guy who runs it uses top quality chemicals that cost $30-$40 themselves, and charges between $50-$80 depending on the size of the lights etc. It's a quick 30 minute job and turns out awesome.

Checkout my before and afters on my 03 Altima:

BEFORE:

^Needless to say I couldn't see much at night LOL!

AFTER:

Obviously, this thread was started a long time ago and has been bumped, but it still remains true today that no matter how you go about restoring your lights make sure you use a protective sealant/coating designed for lights and NOT just a plastic polish or you WILL be doing the job again in just a few months time!

**Unclear_Motives** · 09-16-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benny

Whenever you are restoring or resurfacing a light you MUST put a new protective coating on the lens...no matter how you go about restoring your lights make sure you use a protective sealant/coating designed for lights and NOT just a plastic polish or you WILL be doing the job again in just a few months time!

Man, I'm so glad to hear this because I've been thinking about this for MONTHS. My headlights are horrid, and it's embarrassing because I have nice HID's installed and I keep showing them off to others who are considering buying HID's also. Needless to say, the foggy lights don't help to sell anybody

My buddy wet-sanded and compounded my lights back in April and they looked GREAT, but almost two months later they looked worse than before.

I've been figuring that something must be done to protect them after restoring, but I was thinking more like getting them clear-coated at a body shop

Any ideas on this?

Benny · 09-16-2010

A UV resistant clear coat is basically what the coating my guy uses is - except its made specifically for plastic and bonds into the plastic itself instead of sealing on the outside like a normal automotive clear coat would. Honestly, if you had them cleared at a body shop that would probably be fine - BUT I might worry about increased glare.

Good luck! My guy can also do lights off the car if you wanted to ship them to him, hit me up sometime.

**Unclear_Motives** · 09-17-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benny

...My guy can also do lights off the car if you wanted to ship them to him, hit me up sometime.

So how much did he charge you? What's his zip code (to calculate shipping)?

Benny · 09-17-2010

It was $50 but I know him personally, he would probably do it for around that price, just give him a shout!!! Shipping would be to Indianapolis, IN example zip code is 46202. his site is www.clearvuonline.com his name is Eric Deem. You can give him a call at 317-650-9909 and tell him Benny sent you!!! He does awesome work and fast too! It literally only takes him 30-40 minutes to do a set of lights that are REALLY bad like mine were, haha.

DaRevolver · 12-31-2010

I used the 3m Headlight Restoration Kit and Im pleased. I used the same kit on my Windstar and I was amazed so I used it on the altima also.

**Unclear_Motives** · 12-31-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaRevolver

I used the 3m Headlight Restoration Kit and Im pleased. I used the same kit on my Windstar and I was amazed so I used it on the altima also.

yeah...i heard good things about that too. what I'm really trying to find is a few options for protecting these lights, because they seem to always have this problem

amnieland05 · 01-02-2011

I used the mothers kit it runs like 30 bucks i think but you do it yourself and it worked great.

**mikejamesbyma** · 01-06-2011

The kits that you see in the stores for around $30 are fine to use but only give you a temporary solution. The fogging will always come back. As posted before you have to find a system that includes some sort of coating or clear coat that will protect the lens. Simply polishing it will clean it up but will offer no protection.