Automotive Plastics: 1997 Mercury Headlights outter lenses., hair drier, soft rag

Question
1997 Mercury Headlights outer lenses are very cloudy.  I there a way they can be cleaned or restored?  It looks like it is etched on the inside.  Thank you, James

Answer
Hi James, Plastic Polycarbonate lenses tend to become cloudy over the years. This may be due to scratching in the outside which can be fixed by polishing with a painters rubbing compound and a soft rag. It requires an energetic exercise but the results are magnificent.
On the other hand inside cloudiness is sometime due to a fine powder static-charged. This is solved by washing with plenty of soap and water. Dry with a hair drier or a heat gun. (dismantling the bulb and the unit is necessary)."Etching" got as a result of light degradation of the polymer is not repairable inside. Change the headlamps.Thank you for your question.