Headlights yellowed

The headlights on this 2006 Cayman (from sunny South Florida) are yellowed. They don’t have that usual haze that those headlight restoration kids address. Is there anything that can be done to “fix” these? Would one of those kits help this situation?

Those relatively inexpensive kits work well. Meguires's brand worked well for me. Never used one on the Cayman but have on other cars. My guess is you'll have to try it before you'll know. In one case I was convinced the "yellowing/discoloration" was on the inside of the lens. I was willing to bet it was. But it wasn't and the headlights cleaned up really well. You can try a small spot to see if it helps. If not, then you can continue your search for a solution. I'm afraid though that the search may be futile without a very expensive headlight replacement. Good luck and keep us posted.:cheers:

I have had good luck with these kits as well, used on a old Mercedes I had, once repaired you will have to do a little more cleaning , maybe about once a month to keep them clear.

Thanks. I bought a kit and will try it out tomorrow.

Recently, I used a headlight restoration kit on my headlights . They weren't really bad, but they were dull and beginning to yellow. I purchased a kit for less than $9 on eBay. I'm satisfied with the improvement. Some before and after pics along with the product and tools I used. If you use a power drill, be careful of splatter when wet sanding.

I totally agree with the responses above. The restoration kits will work very well. In addition to buying the restoration kit, buy some blue painters tape and carefully tape around your headlight before beginning the process. Good luck!

Scatch X works wonders if they aren't too far gone and comes in handy for any surface marks as well.

A product like Scratch X is fine for cleaning the lenses. However, without the final step coating that all of the lens kits come with, they will be right back to where you started within weeks. I know because been there done that but with a mild rubbing compound. Result was good but within weeks it was headed right back where I started. The coating is needed for it to last a good while.:cheers:

Don't do it in the car. The Cayman lights are super easy to remove: just take them out and do the job on the bench. I've used the Sylvania restoration kit before with reasonable results, but I've found what I think is a better way: Light Rite Headlamp Restore. It's a UV-cure coating: you spray it on and then let the headlights sit in the sun for half an hour and you're done. Because it doesn't start curing until exposed to UV it's easier to get it to level and look smooth. https://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/...ts.com/search-automotive-lrc-12/light-rite-headlamp-restore-aerosol-p-sat-lrc12 I wet sanded by hand and it didn't take more than 15 minutes per light. Did a wet sand with 400 grit, then 800, then 1000, then 2000. Then cleaned really well with isopropyl alcohol and spray on the coating. One can was enough for both lights. I spent the most time using the 400 grit because that's what actually removed the old coating: the other grits were faster as I was just smoothing out the sand marks. Per the instructions on the can you can just wet sand with 600 grit and then spray on the coating but I was worried I might still be able to see the sanding marks. It probably would've been fine if I'd just done that, though.

I've used the kit by Sylvania on my last two Porsches with great success. Unlike some, their kit includes a protective coating to help delay future yellowing.

I have used these kits on several of my cars with excellent results. In addition I also use 3M headlight protective coat. I apply it after every car wash, it takes a minute and solves the problem for a long time. Also being in SC I try to park the car out of the sun whenever I can. It really helps not just with the headlights but with the paint, the interior and the roof fabric too.

I've used mothers nulens kit, then used meguiars headlight clear coat. the mothers kit is what you expect. sandpapers that works with your drill, a powerball to polish and a polish compound. works great, requires some elbow grease. but holy "f*ck for the meguiars clear coat, works great!!!!! it costs about 10usd at any pepboys. https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G17804-Clear-Headlight-Coating/dp/B01M4RVVX6

I’ve used Plastic X on the headlight unit out of the car. Works great though I never used the Meguiars clear coat after the Plastic X. I’ll have to check that out. All by hand so far. So far so good.

makes one think it should be part of an annual application even on new headlights to keep them protected

Teach There's all good info posted here. Headlight lenses today are made of plastic vs glass years ago. The plastic has a protective coating. It's the coating that over time yellows. All the products and systems referred to in prior posts are designed to remove the yellowish discolorations. Some are achieved by sanding, others by chemical dissolution and others by a combination of both. The better systems as the final step will involve restoring the finish with a UV protect-ant. You should search out a few YouTube videos they'll give you a perspective as to how all this works. Whatever system/product you choose, make sure you mask off the surrounding areas so you don't inadvertently damage the paint finish. I recently refinished my 09 Cayman headlights using a product that chemically dissolves the protective coating.

So is it a secret as to the name (and a link) to this mystery product?

Just a tiny suggestion. Once done clearing your headlights I'd suggest having some 10mil (0.010") clear-bra film cut and applied to the headlights . It will do an excellent job of protecting them from almost anything. My '11 Cayenne had it installed about 6 years ago - and the headlights still look brand new. My more recently acquired '09 Boxster I assume had it done when the clear-bra went on the front 10 years ago. Aside from a few little nicks in it probably caused by stone strikes - it also still looks like new. The good part is - when it stops looking like new, remove it and replace it. The cost to have a pro do the job will probably be more than you spent polishing the headlights . I seem to recall something like $50-60 for the Cayenne 6 years ago. If I compare that to the price of a new headlight (about $2500) it seems very cheap insurance. It was well worth the price having the pro do it. Whenever I've tried doing it - I end up botching it up and then having to take it to the pro. Lots easier to take it there first.