rpg51

I have a set of excellent condition used ap2 OEM headlights that I will install in my 02 ap1 this spring. I want to clean them up now so they are ready to install when the car comes out of storage. They are nearly perfect, mostly just need a bit of cleaning. They are not hazy at all. No need to do any major correction. Do they have a clear coat of any kind as they come from the factory? Or, is it just bare plastic? The answer will impact what I do.

Once you get the surface clean and ready, should they be coated? What do you use? Would it make sense to simply apply a bit of Plexus plastic cleaner/polish? The car is parked in a garage 99% of the time I am not on the road. Northern climate. Not too much UV exposure.

cosmomiller

Yes they are coated as all factory headlights. If you do the polish work that you would do for hazy or clouded lenses, you will remove the UV coating and accelerate the clouding process. No need for anything mechanical at this point with new lenses.

Find a plastic headlight product that adds UV protection and just cleans the plastic at this point. Be sure not to let it dry on the lens. Do one at a time and immediately wipe/rub with a clean microfiber cloth.

The best way to extend the life of lenses is to keep them in the dark/garage as much as possible. My son just bought a 1999 Jeep that was owned by a friends Dad who just passed away. 80K miles but it was always parked in a garage without windows. The lenses are clear and have never been worked on. My 2009 S is a garaged car and I often cover it in the garage (my lab loves to rub on the cars when he comes out of the pool) and the lenses have no clouding at all. I use Meguires plastic headlight cleaner/protector on them by hand.

rpg51

Yes, this sounds like good advice. Thanks.

zeroptzero

Plexus would be a perfect product for headlights, it gently cleans and polishes, and it leaves a wax like coating on the lights for protection. Plexus has a UV protective aspect to the formula. I used it for years after cleaning my headlights and the yellowing never returned. it is my favourite product, motorcycle owners have used it for years on their windscreens. The factory clearcoat can be kept in tact with a mild cleaning, like some of the foam pad cleaning kits with cream type of polishers, cleaning with sandpaper products can remove the factory clearcoat

rpg51

I do not want to do anything that will remove that clear coat. I will give them a good cleaning with a mild compound like I would use on the car clear coat. Then, periodic Plexus applications.