My headlights have a clear protective film on them that is failing and is super cloudy. What is the best method from removing the film without scratching or destroying the plastic lens?
Headlight lens film removal (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter fdmsiv
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You need heat. Not sure how the weather is in Houston right now but either leave it out in the sun for a few hours or go over it with a heat gun. You can also try steam if you have a steamer
- Thread starter
- #3
Houston right now is sub 80's so I'll likely be doing this in winter coat. Steam sounds much better than heat gun, thanks for the tip.
Steam or hot water.
Try, with motor running (so's the battery don't go flat), lights on full beam for a while, that will warm up the plastic film and make it easier to remove, worked for me.
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- #6
I tried steam and heat but those just seemed to strengthen the resolve of the film. Ended up pulling the headlight and wet sanding with 220grit to get it off. Then 400 - 600 - 1000 grit and finished with a toothpaste buff. Before and After:
Doesnt really look like a film to me, but maybe the original coating failing? (clear coat essentially).
What you did looks good, but would probably need to clear them again to have protection from the plastic turning yellow and fading out again.
What you did looks good, but would probably need to clear them again to have protection from the plastic turning yellow and fading out again.
That doesn’t look like a film (PPF - paint protector film), it’s a re-sprayed clear coat that has seen better days. You can re-spray clear coat again but only use 2K polyurethane clear coat. Or apply ceramic coating on it.
