Originally Posted by
redzoneos
all right thanks for all the suggestions everyone! well I tried the compound and it didn't work that well... it's definitely better but not better enough, they still look like crap!
I haven't tried the buffing suggestion but I think at this point since noone seems to know if I can just buy a replacement lens instead of the whole assembly Ill just go out and buy a brand new set of headlights from ebay...
You probably didnt clean them enough. Like someone said, use sandpaper first. This is what I did:
1. Wetsand with 1000 grit
2. wetsand with 1500 grit
3. wetsand with compund 1500 grit
4. wetsand with compund 2000 grit.
5. rub with cloth and compund (AT LEAST 10 min each)
6. hand buff until smooth.
When you're doing this by hand, It takes a very long time, it took me about 1 hour to do just two headlights, outside only.
Rubbing with compound and cloth takes the longest, because you have to smooth out all the scratches left after sanding. Compound alone wont take the oxydation off, the sandpaper will (unless you're using an orbital buffer).
As someone mentioned, this proceedure will take off the protective coating and the problem will come back. However, theres a kit the sell autoparts stores that restores headlights. It has a silicone applicator which you put on at the end, which is the protective coating.
Give it another try, good lkuck.