Hi guys. I'm actually quite new here and need help with my Honda Jazz.

The other day someone stuck some sort of paper tape onto my headlights. After I removed it, the sticky residue remained and sort of ate into the covering of the headlights. I've had it professionally cleaned and even they could not remove it. Recently I was told by my mechanic that my can would not be able to pass a safety check due to the residue stain on my headlights. I've contacted the local Honda dealership who told me that the only way to fix the problem is to replace both headlights.

Seeing as each headlight costs AU$450 (around US$480) I find it a bit shocking that the only way to fix this problem is by paying such a large amount of money.

Therefore I am just wondering whether what the dealership said was the only way to fix this problem, keeping in mind that only the outer covering (the glass protecting the bulbs inside) is damaged.

Thanks in advance for all the help I can get.

 

If it is just the exterior portion of the lens you may be able to soak the residue in a bug and tar remover (let it set a bit) then try wipe or use clay bar the light to remove it.

Spraying WD-40 into a towel and then working it into the residue may remove the residue as well. It did for me when had left over cheap glue/adhesive on the windshield from my school's parking stickers.

 

What ever it is you can remove it by wet sanding and buffing. 600-1500-2500 grit and buff by hand with #5-6 compound on a scale from 1-10. I use meguaire's products if they have in AU? less than 40.00 usd. Your local auto painting supply store.
Try Autogeek.net



There are headlight cleaning kits too, for under 70.00 usd + s/h.

PS the stealership is trying to make a buck off ya, don't go back.

(AU E-bay used headlights, $ varies 30.00 to 100.00 per HL)

Good Luck and this is a inexpensive fix
Mike

 

Something similar happened to me. My solution was "goop off", something you can find at walmart or almost anywhere. It works perfectly; try it!

 

thank you all for replying. I will give these a try later this afternoon when I go out to buy some of these solvents.

however what is concerning me is that the residue seem to have ate into the glass(or is it the plastic?) of the headlight outer casing. So I am also wondering if it is possible to just replace the casing (without the need of replacing the whole headlight) if the above cleaning solutions do not work?

Thanks!