Keeping your Lenses clean/clear before the haze

[Whelan]

Given the recent posting by Proton on his headlight restore, and my how-to on another method. It has been brought up as to how do you keep your lenses clean and clear in the first place.Well that answer is somewhat tough. No matter what you use, over time they will develop pits, scratches, and some hazing. It all depends on where you live, the weather you encounter, and how you care for them. This all ties into the longevity of your clarity.So #1 STOP USING WINDEX AND PAPER TOWELS! Your lenses are not glass, so there is no need to be using such a harsh product with an abbrasive material. That just equals bad. But here are a few ways to help keep that headlight and taillight looking like it just came out of the box:A) When you wax your car, polish your lamps-Yup, that simple, get yourself a clear plastic polish, I of course recommend Meguiar's PlastX. You can apply with a foam applicator pad or a flannel rag. Working the product in small circles over the same area, then adding a tiny bit more product and continuing on. You do not want to use a lot of product as a small amount with lots of elbow grease work will do well. Be sure to do small areas of the lamp at a time before moving on. Then allow it to fully dry before removing. Doing this will help to polish them up nicely when you are giving your car the once over for Spring or Fall. "But Whelan, PlastX is a polish/cleaner, how do you protect the lens afterwards?" Good question, simple answer. Throw a coat of your wax on top. It won't hurt a bit. And it will also allow rain and dirt to not stick and grime your lamps up. This means clearer vision at night or right after a rainstorm.B)When you wash your car, give your lenses a wipe-Simple rule, if your washing your car, why would't you take the time to clean the windows, tires, wells, and your lenses. You spend that time getting the paint nice and soaped up, and you work so hard on your cladding to give it that nice fresh look. Why not clean up your lamps! They may not look clean, and you may have just taken a cloth/sponge/mitt over them with your car soap, but that doesnt mean they are completely clean. Get yourself a can of Plexus, it is a special clear plastic cleaner that can be used on all your lenses and lamps (even your radio display, gauges, etc.) to clean them of fine swirling and marks. It is actually used by the Air Force to clean the canopies of their jets. Easy to apply by using a microfiber or like towel. Again, use a paper towel and you risk me coming to your house with my hand pulled back for a big smack. It works somewhat like Meg's Quick Detailer in that you spray it onto the rag or lamp lightly, work into the area like you would a wax, and then switch to the clean side of the towel to wipe dry. And yes I did say swirl, cause lamps do get swirling as well, this helps to eliminate that sun webbing you get sometimes just from everyday driving. The difference will be noticeable and you will be very happy. Like I said, they may look clean, but giving them a nice inbetween shot is never a bad idea. This product is available online, or at your Marine store like Boater's World, West Marine. Possibly even some auto stores as it gains popularity with the auto market. It is typically known in the Boating/Aircraft community though. So there you go, two simple, easy, effective ways to help protect your lenses from time and the elements. The other alternative would be to get yourself some Lamin-X to apply over the lamps. When it gets all gross and pitted, simply peel off and apply a new one. I have seen them ranging in prices from $20-50 depending on if you want them precut for your lamp or just a square sheet to make your own size. A lot of racers use them as well, think 24 hour Le Mans cars with yellow lenses. They are typically Lamin-X covered, even though they are HID lamps, but this protects them from the rocks and debris while racing.