While vehicle headlights tend to consist of strong durable materials, most automobile manufacturers include an additional layer of covering to protect the lights from damage. The hard plastic headlight covers take the brunt of damage during driving that could otherwise crack or break the headlights of your car. After years of absorbing hits by everything from gravel to hail however, the tough plastic becomes less opaque, blocking the light from the headlights themselves. An application of abrasives can sand out the damage though, smoothing the plastic so that it's clear again without lessening the protective qualities of your covers.
Clean the headlight covers with a soft cloth using mild liquid soap and water to remove any dirt present on the plastic. Rinse the soap residue away with clean water and then pat the plastic dry with a dry cloth.
Mask off the headlight cover from the rest of the vehicle. Place the masking tape edging the plastic, covering the adjacent paint to protect from sanding damage.
Fill a bucket with water and then dip a piece of 800-grit wet/dry sandpaper into the water until the paper becomes saturated. Wipe the headlight cover with a wet sponge to wet the surface of the plastic as well. Sand the plastic cover with the wet sandpaper to remove any damage such as scratches or pits from the plastic. Use a back and forth motion to avoid creating swirls on the cover.
Saturate the sandpaper multiple times if necessary to keep it wet during the sanding process. Feel along the surface as you go for evidence of the damage. Continue sanding until you've removed all rough edges surrounding any damage. Wipe the plastic with a piece of cloth after sanding to remove any residue.
Switch to a 1,200-grit wet/dry sandpaper. Wet the sandpaper and sand the plastic cover to remove some of the cloudiness created by the 800-grit sandpaper by smoothing out the surface of the plastic. Sand just long enough to give a frosted glass look to the cover. Wipe with a cloth to remove any residue from the sanding process.
Change to 1,400-grit wet/dry sandpaper for the final sanding application. Sand the plastic with the 1,400-grit until the surface is completely smooth, with no signs of damage. The plastic will retain its frosted look after sanding. Remove the sanding residue with the cloth.
Place a small amount of abrasive rubbing compound onto a buffing cloth. Apply the compound to the headlight cover with the cloth. Buff the plastic vigorously using a small circular motion on the face of the plastic until you've removed the tiny scratches that create the frosted look, and the plastic cover is clear.
Strip the masking tape from around the cover and then apply a small amount of wax to the plastic. Rub the wax into the surface of the plastic to clear the plastic even further.
