mothers chrome polish on plastic headlights?

[kool_zx3]

Ford plastic headlights from the early 90's, is it ok to use mothers chrome polish on them??

[admin]

Kool,

Chrome polish isn't really the ideal product for that.

Plastic polish would the ideal product for plastics such as polycarbonate or Lexan headlights, lenses, convertible top windows and the like.

If your headlights very yellow and/or faded or oxidized, you'll get pretty good results by using Mothers Mag & Aluminum polish to make an initial cut (or PowerBall & PowerMetal), then follow with the plastic polish for a final step.

Hope this helps.

[kool_zx3]

Would it hurt or have any negative effects if used?

Also can anyone give me the run down on how to apply back to black properly it seems like alot of people have a hard time in application, the way i see it is apply it liberally and rub it in, let it sit a few mins, buff it off and then let it sit for 8 hours to cure, correct?

[admin]

Kool,

We can't specifically recommend the use of chrome polish on plastic simply because it doesn't have the polishes specially-forumulated for plastics of that type, but I'll gladly check with the chemists to be sure of what adverse affects you might have, if any.

Generally, if you achieved satisfactory results using it the way you did, then that's great. You might get better results using a plastic-specific polish, though that may depend greatly on the condition of your lenses.

As for Back-to-Black, despite its name, it is for use on any color of rubber or textured plastic trim. It also works very well on special surfaces such as trim or grilles that either have a molded or coated textured surface or are painted with a flat or semi-gloss finish -- just about anything you wouldn't normally wax either because you want to avoid a chalky look, or it's too intricate to apply and remove wax.

Back-to-Black can greatly improve the look of such surfaces despite a varied level of oxidation and neglect. It generally rejuvinates faded trim and gives it a freshened look. You can apply it in a variety of ways, including a foam applicator or even a foam paintbrush for those intricate pieces.

That said, the application process, saturation point, absorption time and buffing process may vary greatly from surface to surface, state of condition, and desired look.

Several applications over hours or days are often desirable to rejuvenate the most-neglected, faded surfaces to a like-new lustre. Slightly-neglected trim may look great in one brief application.

I personally find that applying it when the surface is cooler helps let the product soak in before it dries... like with most products, hot sun is not your friend.

How much you buff between applications isn't as important as how much you buff on the last application for the desired result. If you have a matte, satin or flat finish on a harder plastic surface (especially if it encompasses a broader area), you may need to buff a little more than on thin rubber trim along a window where you might want a glossier look.

Sometimes a plush cotton terry towel can provide slightly better buffing properties than a microfiber because the cotton nap seems to take it up (absorb) better.

Sometimes extreme heat or extreme wetness may affect the finish of a recent application, but a re-application and good buffing should quickly restore the desired look.

Simply put, by trial and error you're going to have to learn what works best on each surface... it's a product that you can use fairly sparingly once you've rejuvenated the surfaces... but it will likely have to be applied again at some point, or at least you'll want to use some other form of protectant to more easily maintain the look you desire.

With proper application, you'll vastly improve the look of neglected trim that you otherwise thought was long lost.

[kbshadow]

Originally Posted by kool_zx3

Ford plastic headlights from the early 90's, is it ok to use mothers chrome polish on them??

Kool

If you really want them to stay nice, use Mothers Plastic Polish and apply it with Mothers Clay Bar and buff it with a micro fiber.


kbshadow
stockton

[kool_zx3]

Thanks for the awesome right up, i will have to read it again before i do anything, very detailed and well appreciated, I will have to save it for future reference.

I did use the polish on my headlights and from what i can tell it didn't hurt anything and it didn't really improve it, i am gettin some mag and aluminum and plastic polish in a week or so and will do it then.

kbshadow that's a very interesting way of doing the headlights, using the clay bar to apply the polish.

I might have to try that also

[Forrest T.]

kool - you might want to download the detail guide over on the left side of the screen.

It covers the proper use of products and the processes necessary, and can help save you money by not buying products you don't need, or using products in an incorrect manner.

[kool_zx3]

Ohh nothing is going to waste, the chrome polish is needed for the chrome and windows on the car, just thought i might try it out to see how it works on plastic. Aslong as it never did long term damage to anything i am peachy, it never seemed to do anything though so i am not worried

[admin]

Kool,

I chatted with our chief chemist tonight and he says don't worry about using our Chrome Polish on your lenses... in the future just be sure to use our Plastic Polish -- at least as the final step -- for optimal results.

[jakecanada]

The plastic Polish works great .It cleared my plast headlights right up.

[Alfisti]

Is Chrome Polish abrasive?

I did a side by side with Chrome Polish and a competitors metal polish and *felt* that the Chrome polish had no abrasives, just chemical cleaners...still came up great.

The competitors polish sounded and felt really abrasive but broke down nicely and left a great shine. The polymers in it aren't as good as the Mothers, with much less slickness.

[Mama's Boy]

Forrest had mentioned in another post that there is a light polish in it. If it had no polish it would be a dressing. Here's the link:
http://www.waxforum.com/showthread.p...olish+dressing

[kool_zx3]

After further inspection today it seemed to take some junk off the lenses b/c they seem brighter now They worked a little, i will make sure to get some real plastic polish soon

[bigmutt]

[/FONT]undefinedThe Plastic polish did absolutely nothing for my headlight lenses, which are quite badly clouded. I'm ready to shell out three hundred dollars for a new set, I'm so frustrated.

[Alfisti]

bigmutt, try what Admin said above.

"If your headlights very yellow and/or faded or oxidized, you'll get pretty good results by using Mothers Mag & Aluminum polish to make an initial cut (or PowerBall & PowerMetal), then follow with the plastic polish for a final step."

It should work well on badly deteriorated plastic.

[Ken H.]

When hard, clear plastic is severely oxidized, using Mag & Aluminum Polish as the initial rough cut saves a lot of time and effort. The PowerBall with PowerMetal works even faster. Finish up with a finer cut, in this case Plastic Polish. Be aware that any yellowing of the plastic is usually permanent, and will remain to some extent.

[Forrest T.]

Keep in mind if the headlamps allow moisture inside (and the Fords of the early 90's - Mustang, Tempo, Taurus, Thunderbird, and their Mercury counerparts, along with many Chrysler products - Intrepid and LHS come to mind), the INSIDE of the lamp will take on a yellowish tint.

It won't be removed by polishing because it's on the inside, where the polish isn't touching.

What kind of car? Are the outside of the headlamps smooth to the touch now?

[bigmutt]

the car is a '00 Seville SLS.

yes, Forrest, the outside of the headlights are more-or-less smooth; like you say, the moisture on the inside has likely caused them to go "milky" and I suppose for that there is no fix except replacement. The dealer (Cadillac) sells them for $520 each.

I appreciate your help, and y'all sticking with me on this issue.
It's so frustrating, because the whole car (all "Mothered" up, of course) is gorgeous, looks like new, except for these milky headlights.

[Forrest T.]

Those Seville headlamps are, if I recall, glass. Since they have the yellowing, I'm thinking it's film from moisture on the inside.