I have done more than my fair share of headlight cleanings and restorations.
Oxidation is one of the most misunderstood things about car headlights.
You will find people describing oxidation as damage, some even refer to it as UV damage.
It is neither.

Oxidation is not a form of plastic degradation, it is not "plastic rust". It is a alien substance attached to the surface of the headlight.
It bonds to the acrylic like plaster shell.
it will attract more oxidation becoming opaque as time passes.
This shell of oxidation is very tough and resists removal, but beneath this shell the headlight remains unchanged undamaged.

UV damage is a yellowing of the lens, it is a visual degradation you can see not a physical one you can feel.

If you have a oxidized headlight and use abrasives on it, you will create damage where there was none.
An acrylic lens deoxidizer will remove the heaviest of oxidation.

If you have UV damage there is no known fix.

Physical damage is not oxidation nor is it a result of UV rays.
The best method to address Physical damage is Polish.

There is so much outdated misinformation on the web, It is no wonder why today in
2014 you still have people destroying their headlights with sandpaper in an attempt to remove oxidation.
Never use sandpaper unless all less abrasive methods fail to address your headlights issue, and if you do, understand your headlight will continue to degrade and it will need cleaning again.
No oxidation removal is permanent, It is a periodic maintenance procedure we have to accept as part of preserving our vehicles.

 

Any specific brand you recommend? I have some whitish type of oxidation happening. Looks like hell, what do you use?

 

I used a kit by Turtle bought from autozone and it worked great

 

PITTMAN ORIGINAL ONESTEP ALR is number 1 in the market.
It is a internet access only product "not found in stores" designed to deoxidize acrylic, plastic, polycarbonate, lens.

 

Would a rubbing compound work for the headlights and not cause additional damages? I was at a body shop that mentioned I could try a rubbing compound on the headlights and that could remove the yellow. I am hoping that it will not cause scratches on the headlamps themselves.

The one that I bought was Turttle Wax Premium Rubbing Compound.


let me know if this is safe to use on headlights. I got it as well to address some surface scratches on the paint as well.