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The clear plastic on my headlights is going foggy - it seems that she sat out in the Perth sun too many times.
What options do I have for making them shiny and new(ish) again?

I've looked at mx5mania and while I can consider dropping $800 on a new pair of headlight assemblies, I'd like to think I could replace them with something much nicer for that amount of money, like the '8b headlight assemblies, but that'd also require a new bumper as well.

Short term, I'll probably pull out some cutting compound and see if that helps any. (while looking for the long term fix)

Maybe these Angel Eyes: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Angel-Eyes-Projector-Head-Lights-MAZDA-MX-5-NB-01-05-/130499083787?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e6259fe0b#ht_2580wt_955

Try some plastic polish first.
RedMX used some different types to clean his plastic rear window.
I used some on a scratched Pulsar headlight, worked OK for me and cheaper than replacement.

I know that Philips put out a kit to renovate PC headlamp lenses- I saw it at Autobarn fairly recently. There is no guarantee that the reno will work- it depends on how far the pc has deteriorated. PC lenses do have a hard coating and excessive cutting is probably not a great idea. I would not consider any different lights for the car these aftermarket things are not designed or executed properly. A second hand unit is probably not going to perform any better but may have a clear lense. One has to decide if money is well spent on an aesthetic issue and a aftermarket replacement can easily be less functional.

i went through this

1. the angel eyes are for NB8b/c wont fit without bumper etc...

2. goto your local autobarn and buy HEADLIGHT RESTORATION KIT (little black box)

---
I did it, IT WORKED.

My mistake was .. a few months after.. i got bored and bought some eye lids i thought to myself rather then just cleaning the headlights ill do the restoration kit again.. the second time i flocked it up lol.

Do it once do it right dont ever do it again lol

+1 to the Philips headlight resto kit! Used it many times and always provides a great finish.

A couple of tips if you do buy one. Just like any painting, a good finish requires lots of prep work! So make sure you do the sanding right. And you CAN do it on the car, just make sure you protect your paintwork if you do. I've seen a job when someone had DIYd and he took off the paint around the headlight .

I have heard of a few companies that make these kits though and apparently they are just crap. Stick with Philips IMO.

Picked up a headlight restoration kit.

I'll attack the lenses with that, hopefully this weekend and see how it turns out.

Thanks for the advice, guys. Appreciated.

japester wrote:Picked up a headlight restoration kit.

I'll attack the lenses with that, hopefully this weekend and see how it turns out.

Thanks for the advice, guys. Appreciated.

Report please, with before and after photos! I have been following this with interest, as I have the same problem.

Mine are very tired and dull, as a result of living in the open for 12 years or so, and being sandblasted for 260k kms ...

greenMachine wrote:Report please, with before and after photos! I have been following this with interest, as I have the same problem.

Why haven't I done this yet? Must have done at least 5 cars by now lol.

Thanks for the idea! Not sure if Japester will but hopefully if I remember I will take before/after shots next time I do one! May be a while away though depends on work.

greenMachine wrote:

japester wrote:Picked up a headlight restoration kit.

I'll attack the lenses with that, hopefully this weekend and see how it turns out.

Thanks for the advice, guys. Appreciated.

Report please, with before and after photos! I have been following this with interest, as I have the same problem.

Mine are very tired and dull, as a result of living in the open for 12 years or so, and being sandblasted for 260k kms ...

Will do. I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to start, hopefully inside the next week. (Have so many things on in the next few days, I'm wondering when I'll get the chance to sleep)

Initial reaction, having completed one lens, "Oh my Lord."

The difference is astounding. Lens Restoration kit? So worth it.

Photo sequence coming Real Soon Now.

It's done, photos uploaded, work sequence done and uploaded.

Work done

Hey Japester, I can't seem to find the kit that you're talking about from Philips... and I don't live near an Autobarn.

Is this it?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PHILIPS-HEADLIGHT-RESTORATION-KIT-IMPROVE-YOUR-VISION-/300589155852#ht_735wt_1163

http://www.invisionsales.com/lighting/headlight-maintenance/headlight-restore

BadBong wrote:Hey Japester, I can't seem to find the kit that you're talking about from Philips... and I don't live near an Autobarn.
Is this it?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PHILIPS-HEADLIGHT-RESTORATION-KIT-IMPROVE-YOUR-VISION-/300589155852#ht_735wt_1163
http://www.invisionsales.com/lighting/headlight-maintenance/headlight-restore

Yep. that's the one I used.
I obtained mine from my local Repco for a slightly higher price.