I've just changed out my headlight bulbs (Sylvania Silverstars are worth every penny, if you're not going to go HID) and noticed that the actual headlight "glass" (which feels like plastic) is starting to get fairly cloudy. As I have a 2002 model, this seems a little soon for that component to fail!

The cloudy areas look just like mineral buildup that you get on a glass container which had tap water in it and then it evaporated. If I wipe the lens down with some glass cleaner, the cloudiness goes away -- but only for a few seconds. After it dries, the cloudiness comes back again!

It isn't opaque enough to interfere with light projection, but it really looks like crap up close. Any ideas on how to fix this problem? Glass and surface cleaners have not worked!

 

meguaeres has a plastic cleaner you can get it worked well for me i have the same headlights, you will also notice that they are getting pitted to.

 

What is the name of the cleaner? Has anyone else noticed this problem, or is it just the penalty I pay for parking my car in Arizona without any shade

 

maybe condensation within?

 

i have the same problem, but haven't found any way to clean it up. i was thinking of trying the meguire's stuff... i saw it at autozone with the replacement headlight bulbs. i think it was only a couple bucks.

 

No, I know what condensation looks like; I had a cracked (glass) headlight with a previous car. This looks more like the lime "scale" stains you get on your glass shower stall if you're lazy and don't clean it once a week.

Thanks for your input!

 

Most plastic polishes will work. There are many of them on the market. I can't remember the brand I'm currently using but I had the exact "build up" that you described. I've had success with several brands in the past. Just pick one up at your local auto parts store and give it a go. I usually follow up with a wax to help protect the headlamp afterward.