MOT. Headlights need polishing.

[JohnArnoldBrown]

Took my 2003 S203 in for an MOT this morning(first time in 30 years I've gone somewhere else since my friend retired and sold up).
Just had a call saying it's failed, as the headlights need polishing.
Is this a thing? I've had the car nearly 11 years, and it's never happened before...

 

[Blobcat]

It is, plastic headlights can go yellow over time. You can get kits from Hellfrauds and the like

 

[LostKiwi]

MOTs are becoming much stricter over lights. Yellowed/cracked lenses, bodgy conversions (as in wrong type of bulb for lighting unit), light temperature are all becoming more strictly enforced.

As above there are kits available - the Meguiars kit gets good reviews.

 

[JohnArnoldBrown]

OK, thanks.
They're charging me £40 or so, I just wanted to check.

 

[Wighty]

OK, thanks.
They're charging me £40 or so, I just wanted to check.

I think the kits are about £10-20 so pretty good price if you don't want to do them yourself

 

[Botus]

awesome kit has been on sale at aldi of late £5.99

works a treat, everything you need... just add 2 hours of elbow grease

https://www.aldi.co.uk/autoxs-headlight-restoration-kit/p/097198266695201

 

[denchen]

Some caravan spares places sell Perspex polish for caravan windows

 

[LostKiwi]

You should notice a dramatic improvement in your lights after its done.

 

[daibevan]

I had that as an advisory once and when I looked at the lights they were covered in brown & yellow spots. Used the Mgguires kit, took ages, but they came up a treat. £40 seems a fair price to me, though being a tight@rse I'd do them myself.

 

[JohnArnoldBrown]

I'm a tight-arse too, but having OKed it on the phone, I think I'll just suck it up.
I'll know next time!

 

[JohnArnoldBrown]

You should notice a dramatic improvement in your lights after its done.

I go out of my way not to drive at night, but sometimes it's unavoidable.

 

[DSK]

That's reasonable price wise and such polishing is been going on for several years now.

One thing to note is that its best to put a decent sealant on them after its done to help prolong the results.

 

[PovertySpec]

Google Acetone Vapour Headlights. Interesting method.

 

[peternutkins]

I did one of my lights and it didn't look much better but when I was changing a bulb the other day I noticed that the inside of the lens is dirty, like traffic film on the inside of the windscreen. I would think it would be possible to clean it with a small piece of sponge on a stick through the bulb orifice using meths, you need to be careful not to touch the reflector though or you can take the silver off.

Peter

 

[mattkh]

Some toothpastes do a wonderful job.

 

[Botus]

in the aldi kit is some wet and dry... hard to believe but u use 1200 to start with !!! go to 2000, then the plastic polish makes this look like new... add the sealant... its all in the kit

 

[LostKiwi]

in the aldi kit is some wet and dry... hard to believe but u use 1200 to start with !!! go to 2000, then the plastic polish makes this look like new... add the sealant... its all in the kit

That's how I did mine. 1500 grit, then 2500 then 3000, then brasso, and finally polished and waxed. Came up a treat.

 

[brianbrian]

Yes not a expensive price considering there time and using there stuff. Some people use the same for cleansing there plastic windows on soft tops.

 

[mercmancdi]

I used maquires it came with liquid ,
Grit pads of different grades and a polisher for the drill
they came up like new in no time.

 

[Capra]

I used maquires it came with liquid ,
Grit pads of different grades and a polisher for the drill
they came up like new in no time.

Tempted to use this on the wife's car, but works out at £30.