Expert: William Forster - 12/29/2006

Question
I own a 1998 Mitsubishi Galant and the plastic headlight lenses are "clouding over" from UV rays and getting dim. Is there any way I can clean the lenses other than completely replacing the headlight assembly (watermark price $250.00 each!!!)?

Do any of the liquid cleaners work or would I be wasting my money purchasing them?

What would you recommend? Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Answer
Replacement is the only way to go. None of the cleaners work, and besides, sometimes the clouding is on the inside of the lenses. On 99% of cars the clear lenses are permanently glued to the housings. You can try to use a heat gun to separate the halves, but this is seldom successful, and cleaning the insides with rubbing compound seldom brings them back. The plastic itself has degenerated due to heat from the bulbs, and exposure to the sun. game over.  You can try this approach, but be warned, it's easy to destroy the headlamp. Bill