Claybarring headlights

[Wilso]

Hey guys,
To get rid of grime on headlights, what do you think about using claybars on the outside? Pros, cons? I tried it on my fiance's Mazda 3 headlights (used and old already hehe) and I think it made a bit of a difference.
Thoughts?

[Myv]

Can't think of anything bad that can happen, since you are just picking up contaminants off the headlights. As long as you keep folding the claybar after each wipe, should be fine.

[SubieNate]

Won't hurt a thing. I classy the windows too.

[Namuna]

I clayed my headlights just the other day, before applying vinyl tints.

Far as I'm concerned, the cleaner and more contaminate free the headlights, the better the vinyl tint adhesion. Which results in better longevity and lesser bubbles...For general purpose just keeping them clean though, I personally don't bother going to that level but I agree with the other comments that it doesn't hurt if you want to be that OCD about it.

[Wilso]

Thanks guys! I just want to prevent them from getting to
That really aged and foggy look, trying to be proactive lol

[White64Goat]

Clay bar will probably not help with preventing hazing, only removing any imbedded dirt.

[Tuan]

Originally Posted by Wilso

Thanks guys! I just want to prevent them from getting to
That really aged and foggy look, trying to be proactive lol

The headlamp lens are protected by a clear coat paint. Overtime the clear coat will degrade (oxidize) and become hazy due to UV exposure. The best way to prevent this from happening is to regularly wax/seal your headlamps as you would the paint. Using anything abrasive (color sanding/wet sanding) will ultimately reduce the life of the clear coat. A clay bar should be fine, as long as you follow with wax.

When the clear coat fails (maybe 5 years down the line), you can completely sand the yellow oxidized clear coat away and buff the plastic until its clear. However, there's no longer a UV barrier protecting the plastic, and after a few years you'll get degradation WITHIN the plastic itself and on the surface resulting in a slight haze to the lens, no matter how much sanding or buffing you do.

Ultimately, the best way to protect your car is to park your car in a garage away from UV radiation/heat from the sun (not all of us are in a situation to do that) - next is to protect the surface with a sealant/wax with UV protectant properties.

Hope that helps