VISINE FOR YOUR HEADLIGHTS
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Tue, May 18, 2010
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
Mothers Powerball 4Lights Headlight Restoration Kit
By Roy Nakano
There’s an adage in the world of automobiles, and it goes something like this: The don’t build ‘em like they used to—they build ‘em better.
Curiously, the adage doesn’t seem to apply to headlight covers. With the popularity of plastic lens covers during the last two decades, it’s not unusual to see headlights on some cars looking like they’ve developed cataracts.
That’s because clear plastic eventually oxidizes, leaving a cloudly, yellowish film that impedes night vision. It’s a wonder that more drivers aren’t cited for malfunctioning headlights, but most law enforcement officers are more worried about cars without functioning headlights at all. Consequently, a fogged-over plastic headlight lens is not at the top of ‘America’s most wanted’ list.
The cost of a replacement lens is almost always in the three digit range—a high price to pay for a piece of plastic. If the car is older than 10 years, there’s a possibility that the car manufacturer no longer supplies replacement lens covers.
Enter Mothers Powerball 4Lights Headlight Restoration Kit.
For a fraction of the cost of new lens covers, you can bring your old lens back to safety. The concept is simple enough. The Powerball 4Lights fits onto an electric drill, and Mothers provides a suitable polishing compound to buff away the layer of oxidized plastic. Some masking tape should be used to prevent buffing of the vehicle’s fender. For more heavily oxidized lenses, Mothers also provides some wet polishing sheets for good measure.
The whole process requires some elbow grease—don’t expect good results without putting a good amount of time into polishing. Moreover, don’t expect the lenses to return to ‘new’ condition. Nevertheless, the end product is significantly better than what you had before.
Left 'before', right 'after' SUMMARY JUDGMENT The least expensive avenue we know of to restore your oxidized plastic lenses. VITAL STATISTICS Name of product: Mothers Powerball 4Lights Headlight Restoration Kit Price: $27.59 Included in the kit: Polishing Tool, 8 oz. PowerPlastic®, two Restoration Pads, 15” x 15” Microfiber Towel For more information about Mothers products, go to mothers.com Available at Amazon.com
