Fine Scratches On Headlight Lens

Just picked up my 2016 Tacoma yesterday. When I was ready to leave work last night I note an array of fine scratches on the headlight lens. I've been told Plastx from Meguiar's works well. Anyone have any other suggestions on how else to remove them?

 

That new I would have the dealer fix it.

 

Nah, Done that BEFORE with another brand new Tacoma and that one had the mirrors scratched as well. They will only F*cK it up worse with their so called fixes. It will always amaze me how dealers feed a $40,000.00 Truck thru a shitty detail that is prolly worth $20.00. I will do my best to fix it on my own, but trust me. I will be sure to thank my dealer the best way I know how. A friendly, picture filled letter to Toyota Corporate and a nice scathing survey review on my dealership experience will help! Sorry for the rant!!

 

PlastX is good stuff. I use it on all kinds of plastics around my house. Just did my bros headlights on his '08 4Runner. Worked well. I'd go at it with a foam pad first. Terry or microfiber may instill additional microfine scratches. To be honest, if you can tolerate them, I'd just put a headlight sealer on them and leave them be. I wouldn't want to polish away any of the factory UV coating. But I totally get it if you want the scratches gone. I would too on a brand new truck.

Whatever method you choose, try a tiny spot first so you know you're not putting in additional micro scratches. You know those little 5" x 5" lens cloths for cleaning your glasses? You might even try one of those with a little PlastX. If that doesn't work, go to a foam applicator. I'd go light pressure for longer time as opposed to heavy pressure for shorter time.

I've messed around with PlastX, and also Meguires #10 and #17. All good stuff. You could also try a little Ultimate Liquid Wax or #21 and see if it has any filling effect on the lenses if you choose not to scrub. Megs also makes a Headlight Sealant.

 

Here's an assortment of headlight products:

 

Also check these out. I've not used them on headlights but they're the best thing I've found for the clear dash panel plastics. The filling effect of #10 might reduce the appearance of scratches in your lenses without abrading the factory UV coating. If you do want actual abrasives, go for the PlastX. I think there are some abrasives in #10 but it's much lighter.

 

Not sure what equipment you have at your disposal. I use a porter cable 7424 setup with a 4 inch pad then use my normal paint polishes for the headlights.

 

So you know for a fact that there are abrasives in Plastx?

 

Yeah PlastX has abrasives. I think they are SMAT (super micro abrasive), as opposed to DAT (diminishing). Google Meguires SMAT or DAT for descriptions of each if you want to know more. Basically, with SMAT you can stop anywhere in the buffing cycle. With DAT you have to work the product down for finest finish.

 

Thanks for all your help. I've also looked at Novus 2 Fine Scratch Remover. Would you recommend either of the 2? I think I'm basically down to this. Is it even safe to take either of these products to my brand new truck, or is it simply better to leave it alone and just learn to live with it as in time, surely there will be more scratches.

 

Tough call. By doing nothing, you're ensuring that the factory UV coating stays put. Any time you hit it with an abrasive, you're removing incremental layers from the surface. With SMAT type abrasives, assuming your applicator itself isn't instilling microfine scratches, with very light pressure you should be able to at least round off the edges of the scratches, thereby minimizing their appearance. It all depends on how bad they are. I'd try a test spot and see what you can do.

You're not going to feel the abrasives in an SMAT product. PlastX feels like suntan lotion. Smooth as silk. So, microfine is not an understatement. It's far from something like a rubbing compound. So no, you're not gonna wreck your lenses. The applicator choice is the only thing that will make anything worse. With the right applicator, I would think you'll only see an improvement. You could rub PlastX on with your finger and probably not do anything at all- that's how fine it is. So, it's nothing to be afraid of. And the UV coating is hard as nails- that's why you see guys going at it with sandpaper when refurbishing lenses.

As far as removing the UV coating goes... With a lens cloth or foam applicator and light pressure, I'm guessing you'll see nothing but an improvement. And you may even have to work for it. But it might mean your lenses start to cloud on year 7 instead of year 8. Or year 9 instead of year 10. You certainly won't see complete failure in a year or three.

Ha I'm probably not helping much. I know exactly how you feel! It's a tough call. To be honest, i think you'll be just fine giving them a light polish. Follow up with a good sealer and enjoy your truck. If they start to haze a little early, polish them again.

Another route- go head first, polish them out, and buy a headlight coating from Autogeek for $70. They provide UV protection for years. And there you've just bought a little insurance to buy back those couple of years if you did, in fact, rub off some factory coating. Plus, the coatings make plastics super resistant to bugs, grime, etc.

 

I'm not familiar with the Novus products.

By the way- I've not used a coating. But people seem to love the stuff over on the Autogeek forum.

 

And whatever you do- don't go at them with a machine yet. I can't imagine they are that bad. Can you post pics? Might be easier to come up with a plan that way.

 

I already told you in your other thread. Just use plastx..... It's going to make it better.

You don't need polishing machines or anything special seriously just take plastx put it on a clean applicator and go at it..... It's really not that hard. Your scratches aren't even that serious.

If not then just leave it alone.

 

Yes I know you told me this before and Thank You for your reply. I'm just asking for as many opinions as I can get as to if I can take a foam applicator and work some plastx into this OR any if I would be better off to just leave it alone. Again, thank you for your helpful insight. I would be a lot less intimidated if it wasn't on a $39000.00 truck with 62 miles on it.

 

Thanks for showing pics. Yeah that's enough to piss a guy off. Unreal what some dealers allow/tolerate. Yup, I'd be hitting those with PlastX if it were mine. Start with a foam pad or lens cloth and do a small test spot. If that gets you nowhere, move to a more aggressive pad. A piece of a 100% cotton t-Shirt. But I'm thinking the foam will bite them right out. PlastX also seals it up nice, almost like Megs ultimate liquid. I'd also add the Megs headlights protectant on Amazon for about $6. Apply after washed and its just another protective layer to seal it up.

 

Thank You so much for all your help. It is most appreciated.