Chemical to cut headlight oxidation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods to clean and restore plastic headlight lenses that have become oxidized. Participants explore various chemical and mechanical approaches, including the use of solvents, toothpaste, and specialized kits, while addressing the underlying causes of lens degradation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about a chemical to dissolve oxidation on plastic headlight lenses, suggesting lacquer thinner as a potential option.
  • Another participant questions whether the oxidation is chemical in nature, implying that cleaning may not be effective if the surface has been altered.
  • Some participants suggest that the issue may be due to road grime or scratches, recommending cleaning methods such as using soapy water or purchasing new lenses if scratches are severe.
  • There is a discussion about the ineffectiveness of solvents for restoring transparency, with a participant warning that solvents like acetone could make the plastic opaque.
  • Toothpaste, particularly with baking soda, is mentioned multiple times as a technique for reducing scratches in plastic, with one participant claiming to use it successfully on a daily basis.
  • Several participants recommend a commercial kit available at auto parts stores that includes sandpaper and a polymer solution, describing its effectiveness in restoring clarity to lenses damaged by UV exposure.
  • A participant raises a question about the applicability of the kit for Lexan, expressing curiosity about its potential use on boat windows.
  • There is a distinction made between polycarbonate lenses and Lexan, with uncertainty about the compatibility of solvents and solutions used in the restoration kit.
  • Confusion is noted among participants regarding the differences between Lexan and other plastics like Lucite and methylmethacrylate.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of methods and opinions regarding the cleaning and restoration of headlight lenses, with no clear consensus on the best approach. Multiple competing views remain on the effectiveness of different techniques and the nature of the oxidation.

Contextual Notes

Some participants acknowledge limitations in their knowledge about the specific materials involved and the effectiveness of various cleaning methods, indicating that assumptions about the chemical properties of the plastics may influence the discussion.

cragar
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My friend needs to clean his head light lenses and they are plastic , does anyone know a chemical that will dissolve plastic or clean the lens to cut the oxidation , i could buff the lens but i would rather use a chemical, I was thinking along the lines of lacquer thinner.
 
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You mean plastic got oxidized? If its surface is chemically changed cleaning them won't probably help.

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It's either road grime, or the lenses are scratched to hell. For the first, go to a car wash, or get a bucket of soapy water and apply some elbow grease. For the second, either live with it, or buy new lenses.
 
Plastic won't be transparent if the surface isn't smooth, and solvents won't help that. In fact, rubbing a bit of plastic with some acetone or other solvent might just be the quickest way to turn it opaque.

I guess it's not impossible to 'buff' plastic/polycarbonate. But it's so soft, it's probably very hard. There are those companies that rescue scratched CDs for people by resurfacing them, but I think they use some fairly refined equipment for that.
 
ok thanks , we already cleaned it with soapy water and other stuff and scrubbed really hard.
 
Toothpaste, especially with baking soda, is a favourite technque for reducing scratches in plastic.
 
DaveC426913 said:
Toothpaste, especially with baking soda, is a favourite technque for reducing scratches in plastic.

There is some truth in it. I am reducing scratches in plastic with toothpaste every day.
 
kool , thanks 4 the answers
 
You can buy a kit from many auto parts supply stores. It consists of two pieces of sandpaper of varying grit size (one fine and one really fine), some wipes to prep the surface and a liquid polymer solution. I've done this to my car and it makes the headlights look absolutely new. The opaque appearance is due to an irregular surface on the plastic surface of the lens. This is likely due to UV damage. To use the kit, you sand off this damaged surface and produce a uniform surface. The surface will appear frosted when dry but looks absolutely clear when wet. The sanded surface is filled with a polymer film former which has a refractive index close to that of the base lens material.

Costs about $20 and the kit does both lenses (WalMart Automotive dept.)
 
  • #10
chemisttree said:
You can buy a kit from many auto parts supply stores. It consists of two pieces of sandpaper of varying grit size (one fine and one really fine), some wipes to prep the surface and a liquid polymer solution. I've done this to my car and it makes the headlights look absolutely new. The opaque appearance is due to an irregular surface on the plastic surface of the lens. This is likely due to UV damage. To use the kit, you sand off this damaged surface and produce a uniform surface. The surface will appear frosted when dry but looks absolutely clear when wet. The sanded surface is filled with a polymer film former which has a refractive index close to that of the base lens material.

Costs about $20 and the kit does both lenses (WalMart Automotive dept.)

Hm. Would that work on Lexan? I wonder if that would be an easy way to clear up the windows on my boat. (We don't need curtains because the windows are so fogged.)
 
  • #11
The lenses on a car are likely polycarbonate while lexan is likely methylmethacrylate. I don't know if the solvents used in the product or the polymer solution would work but at $20/ft2 of treated area it sounds expensive. You might want to experiment with some fine sandpaper and floorwax!
 
  • #13
I'm always getting Lexan and Lucite confused.
 

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