WTF is going on with my headlights?
 

2014 BRZ, garage kept, well maintained. Passenger side headlight only, no evidence of this on driver's side. Is that some kind of clearcoat coming off the headlight? Options?

https://i.imgur.com/nVAC5yS.jpg

I think that is the UV coating aging

So I have to polish it all off and then apply a new coating?

Meguires PlasticX and a clean buff cloth will take that off. Mine get the same thing. It is because water sits and dries on that spot leaving mineral/dirt deposits.


My 2006 truck had it bad enough, that I used 2000 grit and wet sanded them first. Then hit them with the plasticX polish. Look brand new!

Yes polish it. I did not do anything after polishing them. But, Meguires does make a headlight coating.

I'm sure other brands do too, I just have had great results with Meguires products.

Interesting .. mine is also significantly on the passenger's side o.O

Mines got it too. I use klasse all in one to cover/buff it. Still there but less noticable.

Plastx will take care of this. Just be sure to apply some wax after.

Do NOT wash your car with dish soap.

Plastics..acrylic..react to different chemicals over time of exposure such as "crazing" and yellowing.

They're toast...

A burning question, please illuminate us?

So, Dawn - the soap they use on birds after an oil spill, is bad for our cars?


Please elaborate.

So I got after this a bit - it is definitely not hard water spots. When polishing it the spot area increases in size, so the polish is removing some kind of coating like Gunman said. I'm going to do the led power mod to the headlights and black out the chrome, so while they're out of the car I'll polish the whole thing and recoat it with Meguiar's UV headlight protectant.

Pretty common here in Florida, clear coats take a beating from the sun and heat.

The majority of the headlight polishing compounds only last for a few months before the hazing sets in again.

I've had luck in the past with having a paint shop re-clear coat the headlights.