Does anyone know of a quick fix for headlights that don't give much light, short of replacing the entire Headlight Assembly? I have used plastic polish to no avail. Will replacing bulbs help? (They are original.)
Thanx.

Is it that the outer plastic is yellow & clouded or that the light emitted appears dim. If it's the former new units (not bulbs) are in order, if it's the latter then there might be a bad ground issue.

The outer plastic lenses have had 4 years of California sun and 5 years of Minnesota salt and sand. I'm afraid you are correct, that it needs new units.

Do you now if those new "funny" blue bulbs could blast through the clouded plastic? Thanx.

You may not actually have to get new units - you can apply a plastic polish that will remove much of the sandblasting and yellow color - almost any good plastic polish will work. I recommend using a good random orbit machine but make sure you don't let it get too hot or you'll melt the lens.

I did this on a set of headlights on my 99 and it worked great. I later upgraded and sold the original units and the buyer was impressed with how good they looked for 4 year old headlights.

Its at least worth trying before spending the money for new ones. Plastic polish will run you less than $10.

The funny blue bulbs are actually less bright than your stock units most of the time because the blue color comes from a tint on the bulb itself. That is unless you're talking about true HIDs. If you want the brightest/whitest light in a halogen, look into Sylvania Silverstars or PIAA bulbs.

I've used Novus Plastic Polish #2 and Kit Scratch Out with just minor improvement. However, I did not get as agressive as an orbital polisher. It's worth a try. Thanx.

After 7 applications of just plain car polish, I have been able to get most of the grime out with an orbital polisher. The lenses still are not perfect but they sparkle and I have decent lighting on the highway at night now!

Brasso works wonders, right on the back of the bottle it says it can be used for plastic. Who knew!!
My husband cleans my lenses about every 6 months and they darn near look new.

I use micro fine (1000-2000 grit) and wet sand "very yellowed" lenses and then plastic polish them. My old boss gave me the idea and it was perfect. try a little spot before going hog wild.

Use the wet sanding method if its pretty pretty bad one of mine I straight polished up with 3m plastic polish and it turned out nice but before that I sanded the other one with 800 grit 1000 wet then 1500 wet then used the plastic polish both turned out nice the one I sanded turned out better

Hey guys, are you only polishing the outside of the lenses? Mine appear to be cloudy/yellowed on the inside. Not a moisture issue, just an exposure-to-the-elements thing since this car (a 97) has high miles and wasn't garaged for a few years. I'll try what's been suggested here, but am just wondering if it only LOOKS like the clouding is on the inside of the lens or if I've got a bigger problem that will require new lenses.