I just used PlastX and Power Ball on my headlights

[Islandvic]

My headlights on my '96 Crown Vic have been turning yellow. This past summer, it seemed to discolor very quickly.

I had to replace the originals back in '01 b/c they were horrible.

These aftermarket headlights were holding up well until this summer.,

I bought the Power Ball and some Meguiars PlastX and used a Craftsman 16.8v drill (non-variable speed) today.

Good results for the first time around.

It was parlty cloudy today, so when the sky clears up in the broad daylight, I will see just how well they worked.

I will hit them again this weekend with my Corded Variable-Speed Craftsman to see if a 2nd application helps more.

So far, I would recommend these two products!

I bought some Mothers Aluminum Polish and I am going to see how well the Power Ball goes against my 11 year old diamond plate aluminum tool box on my Z-71!

 

[Islandvic]

Well I tried the Mothers Liquid Metal Aluminum Polish and the power ball on my Diamond Plate tool box.

Didnt do anything!

I was using my cordless drill though.

This weekend, I'll use the corded drill to see if the higher RPM's makes a differance.

 

[Black03L]

Interesting... Power ball and Plastx!?!? but if it works, nothing wrong with that!

 

[wantin150]

FWIW, I have found that 2 applications of PlastX works better than just a single.

 

[G-MAN]

What is "Power Ball"?

 

[wantin150]

It is a "ball" made of fibers (kind of like a micro fiber cloth I guess) attached to a "cup" on a drill post which you attach to a drill for cleaning and polishing.

Sorry about all the incorrect phrases as I don't know the technical terms.

 

[psudaytona]

I have used PlastX also and I love the stuff. My old daytona headlights were totally yellow when I bought the car. You could not see anything inside the lenses, they were just cloudy beyond belief. I used the PlastX stuff after hearing good stuff about it on a few dodge boards and sure enough after about 45 mins of hand buffing it with a disposable shop towel they looked great. Did that in June and I just had to touch up again since they were slightly cloudy again. Now they look brand new. Even did my neighbors Shadow, hers look nice to. I cant complain about the stuff for only like 6 bucks.

 

[Islandvic]

GMan asked "what is power ball"...

http://www.mothers.com/products/productcatalog/power_prod.html

It is made by Mother's.

When I looked at their web site, I noticed they have a "Power Plastic" product similar to the PlastX by Meguiars that I used.

I just used the PowerBall again on my girlfriend's Montero headlights and it worked excellent!

I have not had time to do the 2nd application on my Crown Vic headlights.

 

[2Fast4U]

I've used a product called NOVUS. They have 3 levels (heavy scratches, light, and a polish). I've had absolutely superb results. The key was to wetsand the headlights. Yes, wetsand them. Use a 1200 grit or so and work up to a 3000 grit. Then the novus.

I've used many products and none of them ever worked for me. I truly believe the key is wet sanding. If you get any product that can remove scratches effectively... do the wet sanding first.

 

[quintdiesel]

I just bought PlastX and applied it by hand to my 96 Camry and it cleared the lense better than my previous application of polishing compound.

 

[JeepZJ4.0]

PlastX picked up where Flitz (by hand) left off. I have the flitz version of the power ball and will use it on my headlights when I go back home for Christmas. Either way, I did 2 applications of flitz, followed by 2 long rubbings with PlastX and I was able to see on the road the other night... first time in a while. It was amazing!

 

[sciphi]

Plast-X is fantastic. Cleaned up the yellowed headlights on my 99 Elantra. Wet-sanded using 1500-grit paper, then did the Plast-X with a buffing wheel on a cordless drill. Finally something that actually does what it says it does!

 

[bheinz57]

Brought back from the dead!!

But, a great product. I use Meguiar's plastic polish but it's more or less the same product.

Brian

 

[11B-33T]

Gents, Brasso does the same job without the higher price. Been using it for years to clean head light lenses..

 

[Max_Wander]

I'm a fine grit wetsand and clearcoat fan, myself.

 

[TimVipond]

If anyone is interested, Power Ball and all of Mother's 40 some products are now available through Amsoil.

 

[Buffman]

I used the PlastX polish the other day, with just a plain old buffing wheel on my rangers headlights. There was a noticeable difference when I was done. Headlights are clear, and now smooth

 

[badbrad358]

Quote:

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I truly believe the key is wet sanding. If you get any product that can remove scratches effectively... do the wet sanding first.

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Agree with that. Wet sanding saves a lot of unnecessary rubbing/buffing. Plast-X works great after wet sanding on headlights. Unbelievable how yellow the water turns due to oxidized plastic on older headlights.

 

[mjfx]

My PLASTX results were only average. Do you work on one small area at a time?

Someone suggested that I buy 3M PLASTIC CLEANER and #M PLASTIC POLISH. Together theyre supposed to do a good job. I'll let you guys know after tomorrow!

 

[Islandvic]

mjfx, what vehicle did you use the PlastX on?