• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

How To Clean Stuff.net

  • Automotive
  • Fabrics
  • Floors
  • House
  • Kitchen & Bath
  • Misc
  • Outdoors
  • People & Pets
  • Stains
  • Blog
  • Ask a Question
Home » Cleaning Guides » Automotive » Exterior And Glass » How to Remove Yellow Discoloration from Clear Plastic Headlights

How to Remove Yellow Discoloration from Clear Plastic Headlights

hazyheadlights

Table of Contents:
  1. You Will Need
  2. Steps to Remove the Yellow Discoloration
  3. Additional Tips and Advice

Gordon asked: How can I remove the yellow from plastic car headlight covers? I have older plastic lens covers on my car’s headlamps, and they have yellowed. Is there any way to take the yellow away?

Plastic covers can yellow from exposure to the sun and heat. Restoring these back to their original clear state can be accomplished. Here are the products and procedures to make it happen.

You Will Need:

  • Meguiars #10 Plastic Polish
  • Meguiars #17 Plastic Cleaner
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Foam applicator pad or foam sponge

Steps to Remove the Yellow Discoloration:

  1. Begin by cleaning the plastic well by applying a small amount of the plastic cleaner on a foam pad.
  2. Use circular motions all around the surface of the plastic.
  3. Continue scrubbing in circular motions until dirt and grime is removed.
  4. Wipe away any excess cleaner with the microfiber cloth.
  5. Once all the dirt is removed, the surface can be polished for extra cleaning.
  6. Apply the plastic polish, again using a foam pad.
  7. Use a circular motion over the entire surface of the plastic.
  8. Remove the excess polish and buff with the microfiber cloth.

Additional Tips and Advice

  • If the above method does not remove the yellowing, there is a method that uses hydrogen peroxide that has been successful on various types of ABS plastic. Depending on the plastic, you may not be able to remove the yellow, as the sun can cause certain chemicals used in these materials to turn yellow – which would mean the yellow is not just on the surface.
  • More information about reversing yellowed plastic can be found in our guide How to Whiten Yellowed Plastic.
  • Always test a small area first to ensure there are no adverse effects to the headlights.

Filed Under: Cleaning Guides, Exterior And Glass Tagged With: headlights, plastic

Was This Guide Helpful?

+12
-4
Rating: +8. From 16 votes.
Please wait...
  • If you would like a response from us, please leave your question in the comment area at the bottom of this page instead of here.

Reader Interactions

Related Posts

How to Remove Haze from Headlights
How to Remove Tree Sap From Your Car
How to Remove Brake Cleaner Stains from Aluminum Wheels
How to Remove Water Marks from the Aluminum Exterior of an RV

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Featured Guides

Fresh Strawberries

How to Wash Strawberries

How to Properly Clean and Protect Hands from Coronavirus

How to Clean Hair and Dust from a Bathroom Floor

How to Clean Your Toothbrush

Related Posts

How to Remove Haze from Headlights
How to Remove Tree Sap From Your Car
How to Remove Brake Cleaner Stains from Aluminum Wheels
How to Remove Water Marks from the Aluminum Exterior of an RV

Footer

Cleaning Index

  • Cleaning Blog
  • Automotive
  • Clothing & Fabrics
  • Floor & Carpet
  • House
  • Kitchen & Bath
  • Outdoors
  • People & Pets
  • Things You Own

Site Search

About Us

  • About Us
  • Guest Post Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map

© Copyright 2022 HowToCleanStuff.net · All Rights Reserved ·