I clean my headlights all the time, like every other wash. just buy a bottle of headlight cleaner. there are tons of them they all work. I think mothers makes the one i have. but iv even used that fx nascar wax stuff, it works too.

 

I find it strange this is a problem. My MSM headlights get some spot hazing, but only in the summer when I park in direct sunlight. I took it out by polishing with a random orbital, hadn't returned since

 

Co-sign the crap out of this.. Plastx works wonders got it at walmart for like $7. And cleaned my headlight recently. Came out great, dont forget to wax afterwards for protection. Meguiars makes legit detailing stuff.

 

It's just $150 to take care of this on both headlights. Did mine a few weeks ago.

The UV coating on the headlight has worn. I went to a shop, they sanded the headlights down and installed Xpel Ultimate film. It is self-healing from scratches (sunlight or hot water), and has a 10 year warranty.

The 2005 headlights look like new, and will stay that way now.

 

the local car wash offered a cleaning & sealing service for $50. The headlights on my Honda Ridgeline truck (195,xxx miles) were so yellow and opaque you couldn't see inside them. After the service they look as crystal clear as new and still do 6 months later. Made a believer out of me and was cheap enough not to hassle with wasting my time on it. Most of the DIY jobs I've seen either turn out bad or don't last very long.

 

I've used like three different brands on old cars but the best one has been no doubt Turtle Wax, if you do the whole process and finish with the Lens Sealing Wax (which doesn't come with other brands) it makes it look brand new.

It's this one right here:

 

I'm very OCD when it comes to keeping my car clean and headlight oxidation is one of the worst offenders. I ended up trying to restore several headlights on a Nissan Maxima, Honda Element, and of course the RX-8... I used Turtle Wax, Meguiar's, and Crystal View Chemicals all which failed on me. The oxidation returned on all the headlights I polished using different products each time they returned. So I came across a product called GlassyLite on Amazon which had a lot of good reviews on how durable the sealant was compared to the other brands. I didn't order it though because I didn't feel like dishing out twenty bucks at the time. I came across the product in person during the L.A. Auto show and ended up getting it for fifteen bucks since the guy was desperate to sell.So, I decided to try it on the 8 just for the hell of it and all I can say is that it has been four months and my headlights still show no signs of oxidation. Although I can't guarantee it will last for some of you, I definitely recommend using it for those that are still having hazing problems. I also suggest waxing your headlights and tail lights from time to time to help them repel any water that hits it so it doesn't destroy the coating.

 

Mothers alumminum wheel polish, 1000 grit sandpaper, and a microfiber cloth works good

 

Eventually all headlights will cloud up again, it is a natural reaction like rust on metal. You can apply surface products that retard or protect against oxidation but none will last forever, at some point in time they will require maintenance.
DIY products make the most sense but not all DIY are a good choice.
Any process that has to be repeated over time should be both fast and safe to you and the headlights that knocks out anything that requires abrasive friction. Friction will degrade the surface and abrasives can remove the protective UV layer.
It happens so subtly that by the time you realize it the damage has been done and there are few if any options for recovery.

 

I just went hardcore with 3 stages of wet-sanding, polishing then sealing with a clear urethane.

However, if they're just starting, go crazy with PlastX.

 

this is my preferred method because i know it will work! I had to do this on my car with some very low grit.

 

The turtle wax sanding kit works amazing for the price. Easy directions, less then $10, and you just watch the oxidation fall off. But, it will come back. I started seeing yellowing again after a few months even after the sealing treatment. Its good for the price though

 

I have used quite few different ones is there a way to keep it from coming back?

 

There is nothing you can do just one time and have eternal protection against oxidation.
Oxidation happens like on headlight like dew forms in the morning, it is natural and to be expected.
Oxidation can be arrested with a periodic application of Pittman VaporWax acrylic conditioner. Pittman Original VaporWax APC 360ID Acrylic Paint Conditioner
If they are new or clean VaporWax will keep them that way, if they are oxidized you should use the Pittman Original ALR TSS deoxidation system to clean them and keep them that way. Pittman Original OneStep Acrylic Lens Deoxidizer
On a side note, if you've sanded them or use abrasives, there is going to be damage that is gonna be beneath the oxidation.

If its scratches from normal usage, it shouldn't pose a problem with light projection.
If its UV damage, it will have a yellow tint, but that is more of a cosmetic problem than light projection.