Best product for polishing headlights?

[wuzzzer]

Instead of spending the $177 or so apiece for new headlight assemblies, I figured I'd try my hand at touching them up myself.
So, my question is, who here has polished their headlights, and what did you use? Would a standard plastic polishing compound with a little elbow grease work fine, or is there something else that I should use?
Let me know. I want to have the headlight assemblies all purty for the HIDs I'll be getting.

 

[Osiris]

I tried the website method, but that didn't work. I just bought new headlights.

I went through auto body parts online but one of my headlights is starting to yellow slightly. I asked for an exchange and was told no. I wouldn't buy anything else from them in the future. But they were cheap, around 100 bucks each if I remember correctly.

 

[XLSuruaT]

Just keep checking ebay. I still dont know how it happened, but I was able to get two used assemblies for $11.50 a piece plus shipping. The rubber on one of them is torn up from the salvaged taurus it came off of, but I'm not complaining. Just keep a look out. I tried using some goof off on my old assemblies before I replaced them and that stuff ended up burning the plastic on the lens, making it rough.

 

[wuzzzer]

Also...IIRC the Gen III SHO/SE/LX/etc headlight assemblies are all the same, right?

 

[SHOZ123]

No you have 96 -5/97, 6/97-99.

I just bought a new drivers side lamp for $75.00 not OEM of course.

http://store.yahoo.com/dpstore/taurus2.html

<small>[ October 09, 2002, 04:14 PM: Message edited by: SHOZ123 ]</small>

 

[LASTSHO]

Novus Plastic Polish

www.novuspolish.com

Works wonders on my lightbar covers. Should work great on the plastic headlights too.

Just an idea...and inexpensive one at that.

$25 for the set...#1,2,3. #3 to take out the deep scratches and #2 to polish it. #1 is just a daily cleaner, very mild polish.

#2 takes any film buildup off the plastic.

I just bought a set of the 8 oz. bottles. All #'s.

 

[wuzzzer]

Thanks Mark! I'll give it a try!

 

[Tunez]

Meguire's also makes the same thing now in a 3 step cleaner maintanance kit. Runs for around the same price. You have cleaner, polish, and a spray on touch up detailer.

 

[SHODWN]

I hope they are not from HIDS 4 LESs

 

[Porkchop]

Kirk what the **** us up with your avatar??

 

[SHOCRUZR]

SHOZ123:
No you have 96 -5/97, 6/97-99.

I just bought a new drivers side lamp for $75.00 not OEM of course.

http://store.yahoo.com/dpstore/taurus2.html

The only difference I see is the lines on the plastic lenses on the 98-99. Is that right? If there's more difference, what else?

 

[SHODWN]

late 98 and 99 have a black housing

 

[SHOZ123]

Sorry to drag up old topics but I have good news.

I purchased a headlight for my '97 from this site for $82.50 delivered. Yahoo Headlight Store

Originally they sent me an Eagle Eye headlight. I had one of these last year and it was cracked on the top, didn't match the other OEM headlight WRT interior color as it was silver vs. white, and yellowed in about 6 months darker than the OEM +5 year old headlight.

I was disappointed to say the least so when Yahoo sent me a customer satisfaction survey I let them know what I thought. Yahoo sent a copy to the store owner who contacted me wanting to know what was the matter. I told them the Eagle Eye was a POS and that it was broken and I wanted a refund. They tried to get me to file a damage claim with UPS but the exterior box was in great shape while the interior box had two holes in it. Knowing what I do about UPS this would have been a futile damage claim. I also told the I did not want the Eagle Eye brand.

They responded that the carry another brand that was the Toyota OEM manufacturer and offered to send me one of these and arrange for pick-up of the Eagle Eye light for no charge. I accepted and received the headlight today. It matches the OEM almost exactly and appears to be a high quality unit. I am quite pleased.

<small>[ October 31, 2002, 01:26 PM: Message edited by: SHOZ123 ]</small>

 

[shojuan]

That is sweet! They have the 89-91 assembly for $89.95. I wonder if these are made by the same Toyota OEM manufacturer?

Rick

 

[SHOZ123]

I would ask when I ordered. For sure tell them no Eagle Eyes.