Headlights yellowing on your 2002-2005 Thunderbird?
Your 2002-2005 Thunderbird is now 10-13 years old and you notice things are beginning to show their age. One of the most noticeable signs of aging on the ‘new’, 11th generation Thunderbird is yellowing and clouding of the headlights. The once bright and shiny clear headlights are starting to discolor, fade, and develop whitish oxidation or even yellowing. What can you do?
What causes my headlights to get cloudy and yellow and what can I do about it?
Like anything exposed to sunlight and other natural elements, UV rays, pollutants in the air and extreme temperatures take their toll on your 2002-2005 Thunderbird. The plastic in the Thunderbird’s headlight assembly is especially prone to discoloration. There are several factors that contribute to headlight discoloration including how much time your Thunderbird spends outdoors uncovered, as well as the climate and the quality of the air it’s exposed to. Low-mileage Thunderbirds that are garage-kept or stored under protective car covers suffer less damage to all exterior surfaces including the headlights. But not every Thunderbird has the luxury of its own garage, and most owners don’t use a protective car cover on a regular basis. If you live in a hot climate like the Southwest, outdoor Summer temperatures can climb to over 100º, wreaking havoc on your Thunderbird’s paint finish, interior and of course, headlights.
In addition to the unattractive appearance of cloudy, yellowing and hazy headlights, they can be a serious safety hazard. Heavily oxidized, cloudy headlights can seriously impair night time vision and reduce effectiveness by up to 80%.
Can I get rid of the yellowing and clouding on my headlights?
The answer is yes. There are a variety of options, most of them fairly simple and inexpensive. There are a number of products available specifically for cleaning and polishing faded, cloudy and yellowed headlights. You’ll find them at most auto parts stores along with larger supermarkets and even online. These products remove existing oxidation and clean your headlights, and some offer added protection with special waxes or coatings that inhibit future discoloration. These specially-dsigned products range in price from under $ 10 to over $ 400 for a professional-grade headlight restoration kit. The simpler products are typically liquid cleaners that sometimes include a special applicator cloth or sponge. Others include sanding discs and buffer attachments designed to be used with a standard household drill. The amount of time and labor required depends on how badly discolored or damaged your headlights are. We recommend our Thunderbird headlight restoration kit, which rated highest in Consumer Reports tests. Unlike some other more expensive kits, ours includes everything you need for a top-quality job and long-lasting results: https://www.thunderbirdspecialties.com/shop/thunderbird-headlight-restoration-kit/
Some resourceful do-it-yourselfers have devised some very simple yet effective solutions for cleaning and restoring headlights, using some unexpected and common household products. One such solution is toothpaste. The fine abrasives found in most toothpastes can be good for cleaning moderately discolored headlights and won’t cause damage to automotive plastic headlight housings. Another method utilizes standard automotive brake fluid. The solvents in the brake fluid act as a cleaner and can remove oxidation and discoloring. Brake fluid can damage paint, so if you try this method, be sure to avoid getting fluid on painted surfaces. Another product that some car owners have used to clean discolored, yellow headlights is common insect repellant spray such as ‘Off.’ Again, the chemicals in these repellants can dissolve oxidation and discoloration, but can also damage paint. The cleaning methods that use common household products are typically a temporary fix and don’t usually provide a long-term solution. They can also be messy and time-consuming. A little online research will provide more information and product reviews, but there’s something for every budget.
For those who don’t want to bother with short-term remedies, or for owners with headlights that are scratched, discolored or damaged beyond repair, replacement is always an option. This is sometimes the only option for headlights that have discolored or become cloudy on the inside surfaces where it’s not possible to use any type of cleaner.
Ford OEM headlight replacements for the 2002-2005 Thunderbird list for over $ 450 each. But if you decide that replacing your headlights is the way to go, we offer excellent, OEM quality aftermarket replacements for a fraction of the cost of the original Ford OEM part: https://www.thunderbirdspecialties.com/shop/thunderbird-2002-2005-headlight-replacement/
