Hi guys

Lately I've noticed my light seems bit dim. Had a look at my lenses and they seem cloudy? Please see attachment.

The left one seems worse than the right one.

So was wondering which kit you all get please?

I havent got a drill but that is next on my list to get.

Many thanks guys 

Toothpaste, t-cut, mild polishing compound if the dull is on the outside if its internal then new light units im afraid, unless you fancy splitting them

Cheers jimpster, it is on the outside. Ok I'm guessing 1200 sandpaper, toothpaste and plenty of water?

Before I bought my Focus, the headlights on the car that it replaced (because it was simply not worth spending the cash to get it MOT'd) needed restoring. I read about a product called RestoWipe, although I didn't try it, because there were many other issues with the car.

I BM'd this link, when I was looking to do this:

https://www.slashgear.com/1579510/ways-to-restore-headlights-diy-replacement/

13 hours ago, froggy8 said:

Cheers jimpster, it is on the outside. Ok I'm guessing 1200 sandpaper, toothpaste and plenty of water?

Yes you may get away with higher 2000 or 3000, it will become a regular job. you may get longer out of a refurb by using UV resistant clearcoat after. Toothpaste or wet and dry not both together.

1 hour ago, Jimpster said:

 Toothpaste or wet and dry not both together.

I'm curious which brand of toothpaste you'd recommend? They come in 100s of formulations for all sorts specific teeth issues. Which one is best for headlights?

Need toothpaste with some sort of 'cutting' agent in it.  So any of the gritty ones that use abrasion for whitening should be good.

4 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Need toothpaste with some sort of 'cutting' agent in it.  So any of the gritty ones that use abrasion for whitening should be good.

So, we're still non committal to a specific toothpaste then?? 😀 I've never seen 'gritty' on the box LOL

3 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

So, we're still non committal to a specific toothpaste then?? 

You need one for a bright white light 🤣

Just now, StephenFord said:

So, we're still non committal to a specific toothpaste then?? 😀

Arm & Hammer used to do a really gritty one with baking powder in it, though I think most brands offer similar nowadays.  Anything designed to remove coffee & nicotine staining (without bleaching) is probably a good bet!

Colgate for that brighter white, A&H is gritty

And should you use a manual or electric toothbrush?😀

2 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

And should you use a manual or electric toothbrush?😀

Either is suitable but you have to rinse well LOL

its just getting silly now

 

29 minutes ago, Jimpster said:

its just getting silly now

 

OK spoilsport! LOL On a previous car, a 20 year old Mercedes C240, I used the following with very satisfactory results...

I recall that Auto Express did a comparative test some years back:

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/108259/best-headlamp-restorers-2019

Going back to the toothpaste, as you can see Colgate did actually get a mention as making an improvement, but with a lot of effort.

7 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

I recall that Auto Express did a comparative test some years back:

Good to read, "There’s some science behind it, too: the whitener will remove yellowing in the plastic and the fine particles could tackle the dull surface...the finish won’t be perfect. It’s worth investing a few quid in a proper kit to get a decent result and save the toothpaste for your bathroom."

I have an interest in watches, and newbies often ask about toothpaste for removing scratches from watch crystals. There are plenty of specialist products much better suited for the task, and as with car windscreens/headlights, if you can feel a scratch with your fingernail, learn to live with the scratch.

On a watch, if using toothpaste, be prepared to spend hours & hours polishing with no guarantee it'll make much difference...

14 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

On a watch, if using toothpaste, be prepared to spend hours & hours polishing

Unless it's a calendar watch and then it could be days & days 😉

These lights can be found very cheaply from breakers as there seem to be so many Mk2s being scrapped nowadays. I have seen them sold for as little as £20.

Fitting them is simple. All you really need is a large flat blade screwdriver to remove the retaining screw.

Try ebay for any local to you. You will likely find one less faded.

Keep the old one as a spare in case the replacement gets damaged. It looks like it should still pass an MOT.

12 minutes ago, AntonovAN12 said:

Try ebay for any local to you. You will likely find one less faded.

I concur. I replaced mine just a few months back, cost a whole £15 on Ebay. There are definitive advantages of running a 'vintage' car LOL Condensation was all inside the old lens...

many thanks guys

thank you for the suggestio @AntonovAN12 i never thought about getting some better condition ones.

i just had a quick look and seen these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296271189701?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338749392&toolid=20006&_ul=GB&customid=GB_131090_296271189701.146649679390~1871854537916-g_CjwKCAjwhvi0BhA4EiwAX25uj4pnhKlI_yGRNyo7oWImYMLh7ZYDSMQQnWuNZF6Vte6ej-nlhsuCRxoCNs0QAvD_BwE

i am very tempted on these but the year threw me off as it states 2005 but mine is 2006. they look just like mine.

I replaced my headlights that were a bit naff clarity wise, couple of years ago as i wanted black inserts to go with my dark vibe. Am halfway thru doing the drivers side polish.

The hardest part of swapping light units is getting the multiplug to release on the back.

17 minutes ago, froggy8 said:

i am very tempted on these but the year threw me off as it states 2005 but mine is 2006. they look just like mine.

As far as I know they are the same on all pre facelift Mk2 hatchbacks and estates (and the rare saloon). This is up until they changed the shape when the Mk2.5 was introduced around 2008. These are a very obviously different shape.

That is excluding xenons which were an expensive option not often seen on anything below the ST.

I am looking for a set of the black surround ones if I see any cheap enough. I think they would go better with my black LX grille.

thank you for the reassurance, i will order them headlights.

9 hours ago, Jimpster said:

The hardest part of swapping light units is getting the multiplug to release on the back.

I actually started a thread on that very thing! Ended up breaking the side clip, but the friction fit is so tight, it'll never come apart!