Preventative maintenace for cloudy headlights

[brusk]

Not sure how well the BMW headlights hold up to getting cloudy or yellowed over time but I learned a trick a few weeks ago from a guy at a shop I thought was cool. Every other month he takes a clean shop rag (rag not disposable towel) sprays a little brake clean on it and wipes the head lights clean. He says he typically runs it through the car wash right after. He been doing this for years and the headlights on his older civic and mustang are still clean and clear and never been replaced. My buddy did this to his beater neon and just one time was slightly noticeably whiter, still hazy since his first time but seemed like done over time would definitely help.

[KingOfJericho]

I've never kept a car long enough for this to matter but it seems like an interesting idea. I do find it strange that there seems to be very little middle ground in the cars I come across. It's either crystal clear or horribly yellow.

[ejm3]

Its funny because I hear a lot of people complain about the yellowing headlights and I see the ads on TV for the stuff that supposedly clears it up yet I have never had it happen to a car I've owned. And I often keep cars 7-8 years and do no preventative maintenence.

[bmw1racer]

All I do is polish them and apply a coat of wax at the same time I'm waxing the entire car... I've had my E36 for 18 years now and they're as clear as they were from day one.

[ken1137]

Interesting...I've been using 3M rubbing compound to polish my daughter's 2003 Rav4 HL's. Cleans them right up and they look new, but I need to do it annually. I'll give it a try next time she is home.