Bug Spray to Clean Headlights (WARNING)

[dogfish246]

Hey guys,


So I saw a new trend that many people were telling me about and it is to use bug spray to clean headlights. I wanted to look into how it works and if it really works so I made a video all about it. People have videos on YouTube showing amazing initial results, but is it real and does it last?


Let me know what you think of the video and let me know what you have used to clean headlights (and did it work well)?

[beshannon]

I use glass cleaner

[montaillou]

Rain water does it for me.

[speedyguy95]

A sponge works

[dogfish246]

I use glass cleaner

Rain water does it for me.

A sponge works

I am guessing you guys dont have hazy, oxidized headlights then because you definitely need something abrasive to fix those.

[BimmerBreaker]

I use mild sandpaper and water... or toothpaste

I use glass cleaner

Really? Because most BMW headlights in the US are plastic... in fact almost all of them...

[hon2bmw]

Gotta love people promotting there damn you tube channels instead of actully contributing to the forum.

[ross1]

Gotta love people promotting there damn you tube channels instead of actully contributing to the forum.

This^!
Bug spray,

[beshannon]

I am guessing you guys dont have hazy, oxidized headlights then because you definitely need something abrasive to fix those.

No I do not and never have on any car I have ever owned.

Really? Because most BMW headlights in the US are plastic... in fact almost all of them...

Ok they are plastic. I still use glass cleaner to clean them as was the original question.

[slocar]

There's some confusion here: to clean them, I use ... glass cleaner. To get rid of the yellowing and oxidation, I use one of the many headlight restoration products followed by a UV protectant.

[SpeedsterBek]

My E34 uses glass headlights, so it doesn't get damaged by UV rays and turn yellow

[BimmerBreaker]

Glass cleaner is not meant to clean plastic. I'm just putting that out there...

There are products to clean plastic...

[montaillou]

I am guessing you guys dont have hazy, oxidized headlights then because you definitely need something abrasive to fix those.

I don't. No acid rain in my area.

[Chinman]

i use mild sandpaper and water... Or toothpaste


really? Because most bmw headlights in the us are plastic... In fact almost all of them...

E9
E12
E21
E23
E28
E30
E32
E34

[rob22sf]

I just buy new headlights. fuk cleaning them.

[spoonerDee]

If you have slight hazing, use tire shine or similar product (the stuff that makes the tires look new and shiny). Spray some on a towel rub into the plastic, let it sit a few min then wipe up the excess. Works great on dull black trim too. Usually lasts a month or more depending on weather. Cheap solution till replacements can be bought.

[MN E34]

Awesome I've wondered about this for some time now. I just use the buffing pads and buff it out.

[hon2bmw]

I've "restored" the headlamps/taillamps on several of my cars, including the E39, its not that hard.

Sand to remove the oxidized coating, run it up to 1500-2000 grit, and spray with a GOOD 2k Clearcoat. The assemblies on the E39 are going on 5 years without any issues. But I also wash my car on a weekly basis, which I feel has alot to do with it.

[BimmerBreaker]

E9
E12
E21
E23
E28
E30
E32
E34

EVERY BMW made after those era of cars are ALL plastic and that MOST the BMWs on the road are from the era of plastic lights, thus why I made my statement that almost all of them are plastic lenses.

I have a '72 bavaria and work on older BMWs regularly so I know they have glass lenses, but my statement was based on quantity, and there are many more plastic-lens BMWs out there now then there are glass. By a large margin

[Matt Cramer]

I am guessing you guys dont have hazy, oxidized headlights then because you definitely need something abrasive to fix those.

Something oily (like, possibly, bug spray or tire shine, but beware of anything with a solvent in it) can potentially fill the scratches in a hazy headlight and make it look shiny again... until the oily coating washes off and you're back to where you started from. If you've ever been to a gem show, you may see the same trick where a rock seller has a little tray of water and dunks a grayish rock into it only to have the rock turn bright colors until it dries. This is to show what the rock would look like if you polished it - again, using abrasives for a permanent measure.

[1fatcat]

I've heard that clear coat spray paint works on faded plastic lenses. Clean them off good first to get rid of any dirt, then spray with light coats of clear coat spray paint. Allow to dry.

You will want to either remove the light from the car, or mask the area off real well to keep over spray from getting on the car. I've never tried it personally, but have seen it on a buddies car. It looked to me like it worked pretty good.

[pizzaman09]

E9
E12
E21
E23
E28
E30
E32
E34

Prefacelift e38 (1995-1998) as well had glass lenses.

[modular93fox]

There's a video illustrating it makes the plastic lense look better for about 2 days.. It melts the plastic.. Take the time and do it right with sandpaper and buffing compound.. Or replace it

[crashgordan]

One of the best plastic cleaner/polish/protectants is used in the aero industry, and it's called Plexus. amazing stuff.

[MN E34]

One of the best plastic cleaner/polish/protectants is used in the aero industry, and it's called Plexus. amazing stuff.

Just got a can today of that stuff trying it out after work.