In the mid 1990′s, the U. S. Department of Transportation approved aerodynamic, shaped plastic headlight lens covers for all automobiles sold in the United States. The new covers opened up new styling possibilities for the automobile manufacturers, reduced wind resistance, and protected the headlight lamp assemblies from road debris.

But there was a downside associated with the headlight lens covers–they gradually deteriorated because of age, UV rays, and road conditions. The result was that the lenses became cloudy, thus reducing the ability of the headlight lamps to illuminate the road ahead.

Not surprisingly, many state auto safety inspection stations made the decision to FAIL any automobile with clouded headlight lenses.

The sun’s UVA, UVB and UVC rays cause the most damage to plastic automobile headlight lens covers. Plastics are technically known as polymers, which are degraded by sunlight. In serious sunlight conditions, the problem appears as clouding, cracking, fading and discoloration. The damage is made worse by prolonged exposure to the sun and sunlight intensity. Generally, however, the degradation is confined to one millimeter or less of the lens surface. Thus, the lens cover can be restored by removing the degraded area through the use of superfine abrasives and special polishing compounds.

You can restore the headlight lens covers on your automobile through the use of special polishing kits made by leading manufacturers, such as Meguiar’s, 3M, Turtle Wax, GlassyLite and Permatex. The prices vary from $10 to $30, plus shipping. Mechanics at most auto service facilities will also do the work for about $39 for two headlights.

At least one supplier on the Internet sells a name-brand polishing kit with a free sheet of 2000 grit wet-or-dry sandpaper to remove tough yellowed spots from headlight lenses without harming the plastic surface.

For more information, go to http://www.restorelenses.com.

The author has a B.S. degree from the University of Illinois and an M.B.A. degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

He was a career U. S. Marine officer for 20+ years, and then the CEO of a successful corporation in northern Virginia until 1997. From then until 2004 he was an adjunct professor of management at both 2-year and 4-year universities in Virginia.

He has written on a variety of topics for The Washington Post and The Potomac News.

Author’s URL: http://garyjacobsen.yolasite.com

Emissions Testing, Auto Repair in Chicago IL 60623