2000 Dodge Caravan yellow/filmed over headlights

[Raymond4646]

We have a 2000 Caravan that has a haze and what appears to be spiderwebbing across them. I tried meguiars plastic polish and it helped remove some of the haze. I then took a rotary buffer with a wool pad and the results were much better but not perfect. There is still some residue left over. I lightly went over one headlight with 1000 grit wet/dry paper and noticed white chalky residue on the sandpaper. I'm assuming the lenses are coated. I went back over the headlight with the rotary, it looks like it did before I started. Does that coating come with more sanding to give a uniform look? Thanks

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Some lights have the coating and others do not. I would suggest not removing any more of that coating as it may dull the plastic. Further, it is easy to actually place burn marks in the plastic from the rotary buffer. I would suggest using the PC, speed 5, W-8006polishing pad and Meguiar's PlastX. It will do an amazing job. There is a fine line between too much buffing and getting the lenses clear and smooth. You must be real careful.

Tim

[Raymond4646]

Thanks for the quick reply Tim! So the dulling is caused by the loss of the coating? Any way to replaced or restore it? Thanks.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

I am not sure what the exact purpose of the coating is (probably for UV protection), but I do know that once the coating is gone, the lenses do tend to oxidize more quickly, IMHO. I have never heard of a kit for the consumer to replace the coating. But if the coating is gone, then one will have to polish the lights a little more often, that's all.

Do you have some before and afters of the lenses???

Tim

[SpoiledMan]

I have been wondering if some model car clear paint would take care of this. I mean after sanding and polishing of course. Hey, if the lens is already shot what do you have to lose?

[Phil's Automotive]

I work on a fleet of Dodge Caravans and have been battling this problem for some time. I have tried all sorts of things from wet sanding, polishing, replacing lights. I just tried a product from SYMTECH and it worked great. I purchased a small kit and could do about three vehicles with it for $21.00. Here is there website. http://www.symtechcorp.net/NEWbrightsolutions.cfm
I hope this helps

[Raymond4646]

I will take a few pics of the headlights. When I buffed the headlights the light oxidation came off easily, its just the marred surface that remains. It almost looks like micro spider webbing, that can be felt.

[Raymond4646]

Phil, thanks for the link. I'm not sure if that product could repair my headlights. They are too far gone in my opinion. I believe the previous owner used too harsh of a product.

[Raymond4646]

Here is that hazed headlight after buffing it.