• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

headlights


509lifted

New Member
Firefighter
Joined
Nov 12, 2011
Messages
997
Reaction score
10
Points
0
Age
30
Location
chelan washington
Vehicle Year
1984,1992
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
2.8l, 4.0 v6
Transmission
Manual
so my headlights on my 92 expo are relly yellow and my highbeams are dimmer than what my low beams should be and im scared to drive at night cause i can see, all the jy ones around here are the same way and all napa wants 112 and jerry's wants 45 each housing so i was wondering if u guys could recommend any good restore kit so i dont have to go out and keep buying stuff for it to not work
 


chrwilkins30

New Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2010
Messages
1,720
Reaction score
6
Points
0
Location
Mishawaka, Indiana
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.9
Transmission
Manual
I saw once on trucks! where they used toothpaste and a buffer. Otherwise mothers sells a kit that I've seen work pretty well.
 

MPRanger

New Member
Law Enforcement
U.S. Military - Active
Joined
Aug 19, 2012
Messages
154
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Location
SE Missouri
Vehicle Year
2005
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC
Transmission
Automatic
You can try this out: http://store.crystalviewchemicals.com/ :I used it to fix my mom's headlights on her exploder sport and it worked great. I'll look through my photobucket and see if I can find some pics.
 

hoosier1104

I'm Awesome!
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
MTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Messages
5,123
Reaction score
104
Points
0
Location
Camby, IN
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
302 based goodness
Transmission
Automatic
My credo
Work hard and play harder

triumphrider-1

Active Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2007
Messages
2,023
Reaction score
14
Points
38
Location
Port Huron, MI
Vehicle Year
2011
Make / Model
Ford F150
Engine Size
3.7L
Transmission
Automatic
I saw once on trucks! where they used toothpaste and a buffer.
I'd sand them down first, if their as bad as the OP makes it sound. Start with 400, then jump to 800, and lastly 1200. After that, then I would use a plastic polish, or the toothpaste as mentioned above.

After they are sparkly new, clear coat them, or use a good wax to slow their oxidation.

This is in the tech library:
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Fall2009/polishing_dull_plastic_lights.htm
 
Last edited:

daniel3507

Well-Known Member
TRS Banner 2010-2011
Joined
Dec 15, 2008
Messages
3,994
Reaction score
74
Points
48
Age
34
Location
NE Oklahoma
Vehicle Year
2019
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Have had good luck with the 3m kit

Sent from the think n' stink.
 

kryptonitecb

New Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Dec 5, 2011
Messages
1,313
Reaction score
19
Points
0
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
Just did this last night, got a mothers ball, headlight polish, and turtle wax.

Clean headlights, use polish with mothersball. The wax as mentioned above. Cost me ~$40 but the ball and wax will last me for a long time.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic
 

DFracing

Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
364
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Vehicle Year
2002
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Automatic
, or use a good wax to slow their oxidation.

]
Be careful, this is what ruined my OEM headlights, and every peice of plastic ive ever let it come in contact with.
 

509lifted

New Member
Firefighter
Joined
Nov 12, 2011
Messages
997
Reaction score
10
Points
0
Age
30
Location
chelan washington
Vehicle Year
1984,1992
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
2.8l, 4.0 v6
Transmission
Manual
thanks guys i will go to walmart and i m gonna get some of the mothers product today and see how it works
 

kryptonitecb

New Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Dec 5, 2011
Messages
1,313
Reaction score
19
Points
0
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
Be careful, this is what ruined my OEM headlights, and every peice of plastic ive ever let it come in contact with.
How so?

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic
 

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
Where I work we just use the same stuff we use to wax and buff paint. Works well enough.
 

daniel3507

Well-Known Member
TRS Banner 2010-2011
Joined
Dec 15, 2008
Messages
3,994
Reaction score
74
Points
48
Age
34
Location
NE Oklahoma
Vehicle Year
2019
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
I can see how some wax would mess up black plastics by leaving white residue or powder. Maybe use 303 on the headlights to protect the plastic

Sent from the think n' stink.
 

Charles (in GA)

New Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2011
Messages
41
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
South of Atlanta
Vehicle Year
1991
Engine Size
2.3L
Transmission
Manual
The polishing doesn't last, I did see where some people coated them with clear Helm urethane with UV protectant added to it, but decided the best course of action was to procure two OEM light assemblies before I could no longer find them. Got one from a nearby dealer for cost minus 20%, just a little over a hundred dollars, the other I paid retail minus 20%, about $220 for it. These lights from Ford are complete assemblies, with the buckets, adjuster mechanisms, entire reflector and lens and includes a bulb and bulb retainer. It was a good thing I replaced them as the buckets were cracked vertically just outboard of where the grille mounts on each side, and would have left the grille flopping nearly free if they had completely broken (the grille attaches to the headlight buckets with screws and to the top trim piece with some push in plugs.

Charles
 

Attachments

killj0y

New Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2011
Messages
1,531
Reaction score
11
Points
0
Location
Edinburg, TX
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.3l 4 Banger
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Fix it till its broke!

before


After

Not bad took like 20 minutes and 20 bucks with the 3m kit. It doesn't come with uv sealer but I have plenty from when I used to do them by hand. This have much better results and obviously using a drill is easier than hand sanding. the kit can be reused, I estimate at least 2 more sets of lights and the foam pad seems sturdy, so touch ups will be easy seeing that I have a whole bottle of rubbing compound and sealer. So not a bad option in my case. I can probably go another year before needing to buy another housing and lens. Plus I got another credit at AutoZone so I'll eventually get another 20 bucks credit for stuff I was gonna buy anyways like oil and junk.

Just a thought. Any rubbing compound will work but sanding with a high speed drill speeds it up immensely. 20 bucks to save me hours and tiring effort....it's worth it. Harbor freight has a kit for 9 bucks throw in a coupon for a free item and it's a steal. I haven't tried that kit but it's just sanding disks and rubbing compound...hard to get wrong really.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top