What's the cause of clouded head lights?

[Jay-Z4]

I've seen this on more than one Z4 and I was wondering what this is and if there's a way to clear it?

 

[markeg]

Possibly pitting from road debris - just needs a light sanding with a headlight restoration kit.

 

[Dav the wheel nut]

its caused by oxidation of the plastic mainly from exposure to sunlight and moisture.
i cleaned mine using G3 but there are other methods. clicky here for a previous discussion.

 

[firebobby]

This happens to lots of newer cars with plastic head lights, I have noticed loads lately. It makes the car look like it has cataracts

 

[mmm-five]

This happens to lots of newer cars with plastic head lights, I have noticed loads lately. It makes the car look like it has cataracts

It's not just plastic headlights that it happens to - I had the lenses replaced on both of my M5s when they started to look like sodium streetlights.

It's usually down to a bit of age, sandblasting from doing thousands of miles, and sometimes harsh cleaning products.

Luckily on the M5s you could just disassemble the headlight unit and replace the lenses with genuine Hella replacements - without having to split/glue them back together.

 

[thepits]

there's a kit [well more than one] which with a load of elbow grease will clean them up. worked for me

She had an MOT advisory two years ago and also last year, this year? Sorted

Plus, upgrade the bulbs as we all know how cr4p standard headlights are on BMW's :evil: