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This article describes how a DIY or VW Jetta owner can use an electric drill to clean the head light lens to a like new condition.

Note: The text and photos did not upload properly to this Web Site. To view this procedure go to URL:http://www.vwtdirepair.com

Enter the menu and select "Beginner" and look for title "Head Light Cleaning and Polishing.


Project 41 Removing Head Light Haze on a 2001


VW Jetta TDI With a Cleaning and Polishing Kit


Headlight lenses on modern day cars are no longer made from glass. The lenses are made from a plastic material named Polycarbonate. Lenses made from this material have a big drawback versus glass lenses. The ultraviolet rays of the sun, over a period of time, will cause the plastic lenses to turn yellow and cloudy. This is a dangerous condition, especially at night, because of low light conditions. A cloudy lens can also be caused by moisture that has entered the lens due to a faulty seal. In most cases, the headlight assembly will have to be replaced.

A lens cleaning kit (Figure 41-1) will, in most cases, restore the optical clarity and distance vision when driving the vehicle at night. VW vehicles that have not been garaged and exposed to the elements are likely to need a lens cleaning assuming that the vehicle is over three (3) years old. Using the steps that are provided to you below, you can clean the lens yourself on your VW and save over $100.00 in professional detailing repairs.

Typical lens cleaning kit

Figure 41-1 Typical Len Cleaning Kit

The lens cleaning kit that was used for this repair was ordered from the Harbor Freight Web Site. Similar cleaning kits can be purchased from auto parts stores. The kit is for one-time use. It consists of several self-sticking resurfacing and polishing pads that are mounted to the chuck of a cordless or 3/8-inch electric drill. The drill should have the capacity to turn the resurfacing and polishing disks at 1200rpm's.

Figure 41-2 shows a photo of an extreme case of hazing and yellowing of the head light lens on the Jetta TDI.


Cloudy and hazy head lights

Figure 41-2 Cloudy and Hazy Head Light Lens on Jetta TDI

Repair Steps

Step 1 - Thoroughly wash the lens with car wash soap.

Step 2 - Dry the lens with compressed air or a clean lint-free towel.

Step 3 - Fill a pail with approximately eight (8) inches of cold water.

Step 4 - Place a resurfacing pad and backing plate in the chuck of a 3/8-inch cordless or electric drill (1200 rpm's minimum).

Step 5 - Wet the abrasive resurfacing pad in cold water.

Step 6 - Wait thirty seconds (30) for the water to soaking into the fibers of the resurfacing pad.

Step 7 - Energize the switch of the drill and move the pad across the lens in a horizontal or back and forth motion.

Step 8 - Continue this movement of the pad across the lens for a period of five (5) minutes (each lens). Figure 41-3 shows a cordless drill being used with a wet  resurfacing pad to resurface the head light lens on the Jetta TDI.

Resurfacing head light lens

Figure 41-3 Resurfacing Head Light Lens on Jetta TDI

Step 9 - Replenish the resurfacing pad with cold water when there is no wetness on the lens.

Step 10 - Continue the resurfacing process until all yellowing on the lens has been removed. Figure 41-4 shows the resurfaced lens that is ready for the polishing process.

Head light lens being resurfaced

Figure 41-4 Jetta Head Light Lens Being Resurfaced

Note

When resurfacing, very little pressure is needed using the drill to remove the haze from the lens.

Step 11 - Wash off all residue from the resurfaced lens with car wash soap and cold water.

Step 12 - Remove the used resurfacing pad attached to the drill from the pad backing plate and discard.

Step 13 - Attach a self-sticking polishing pad to the backing plate.

Step 14 - Apply a generous amount of polishing compound to the polishing pad.

Step 15 - Allow three (3) minutes for the compound to fully saturate the polishing pad.

Step 16 - Energize the switch on the drill and move the polishing pad across the lens in a back and forth motion. Figure 41-5 shows the polishing pad being used on the resurfaced lens.

Polishing head light lens

Figure 41-5 Polishing Head Light Lens on Jetta TDI

Step 17 - Apply more polishing compound to the polishing pad

Step 18 - Continue the back and forth motion until all yellow haze and residue have been removed.

Step 19 - Remove all excess polishing compound from the polished lens with a clean lint-free rag.

Tools and Equipment Needed

Lens cleaning kit

Cordless or electric 3/8-inch drill

Cold water

Car wash soap

Clean lint-free rag

Air compressor (optional)  

Once all that is done, the new plastic headlight lenses can be kept like new with the regular use of car wax. It works on our cars (taillights too!!).  
There is no one, perfect car!

In case you encounter the same problem, you can also try 3M plastic cleaner. That worked good with the my car's headlight covers. The previous post is good, you should follow that. Prevent your car headlight covers from being blurry by regularly cleaning it.