Headlight pitting? - Nissan Murano

SanJoseMO · 10-14-2006, 01:55 PM

Any advice on how to rid the headlight assembly of pitting, or fine rockchips and other imperfections? Starting to annoy me because I know that once this pitting starts, then follows that hazy, foggy look, then ultimately nasty yellow that is common on plastic headlight assemblies.
I do use Meguiars on headlights when I wash the MO, but what about using my orbital buffer, or (i hate to say this) wetsanding with really fine grit sandpaper...which I have heard brings life back to headlights- but am concerned with the abrasive side effects.
Any thoughts on headlights treatment?

SanJoseMO · 10-14-2006, 02:07 PM

but little tiny rockchips that is only near bottom of assembly. I know it is minor right now...but really what to nip this in the bud.

hfelknor · 10-14-2006, 03:20 PM

Put invisible Headlight protectors on your car.

Go here
http://www.eautoworks.com/html/aac-A...ction~Film.htm

I did the whole front end and have yet to have a single chip or ding, Been over 3 years now.

Homer

**njjoe** · 10-14-2006, 04:37 PM

SanJoseMO-

You do know what the primary cause of headlight-pitting is, don't you? Tailgating.

I bet you're one of those guys who gets right up to someone's bumper when they won't get out of your way on the highway, right? You get right behind them and flash your lights when they don't move fast enough. You're one of those guys, aren't you? No wonder your lenses are pitted.

How do I know you're one of those tailgaters? I know, because I just finished Zaino-ing my MO for the Winter and I found a few FOD-marks on my lenses too. Tailgating is a way of life on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike during rush hour(s).

-njjoe

SanJoseMO · 10-14-2006, 05:25 PM

I work in IT for a nationwide insurance company, so I see highway patrol and local california police department investigation scene photos...not pretty. I am a much better, cautious, and defensive driver because of this.

I believe this pitting is from my weekend trips to the sierras- Lake Tahoe. In the summer Hwy 50 is very rocky, and there are some roads in the tahoe basin that are not paved.

Thanks Homer for the tip- Invisible film. I hope this film is just that- Invisible.

**Eric L.** · 10-14-2006, 06:28 PM

Search TSB's on nissanhelp.com for one on a 3M plastic polish they recommend for use on headlight covers. Maybe its not listed for the Murano, but I think it is for the Sentra. Probably not ideal, and I think homer's suggestion of a clear film cover is probably your best choice.

Jim D. · 10-14-2006, 11:39 PM

It would be a good idea to remove the chips, if they're not too deep, before you apply any shield... if you decide to go that route.

Regardless, I'd try Mothers Plastic Polish with a PowerBall Mini.

Simply lift the hood and mask off the adjacent areas with low-tack painter's tape, grab your cordless drill and have at it.

Deep pits may remain, but minor ones will disappear, and the polish will leave a protective coating to help resist oxidation.

10-14-2006, 01:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
SanJoseMO Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 69	Headlight pitting? Any advice on how to rid the headlight assembly of pitting, or fine rockchips and other imperfections? Starting to annoy me because I know that once this pitting starts, then follows that hazy, foggy look, then ultimately nasty yellow that is common on plastic headlight assemblies. I do use Meguiars on headlights when I wash the MO, but what about using my orbital buffer, or (i hate to say this) wetsanding with really fine grit sandpaper...which I have heard brings life back to headlights- but am concerned with the abrasive side effects. Any thoughts on headlights treatment? __________________ San Jose Sharks Tailgate Vehicle :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2004 SE AWD with VDC Glacier Pearl with Cafe Latte Leather HID Headlamps, Um Nitza HID foglights Jim Wolf Pop-Charger with Z-tube

10-14-2006, 02:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
SanJoseMO Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 69	Hard to see... but little tiny rockchips that is only near bottom of assembly. I know it is minor right now...but really what to nip this in the bud. __________________ San Jose Sharks Tailgate Vehicle :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2004 SE AWD with VDC Glacier Pearl with Cafe Latte Leather HID Headlamps, Um Nitza HID foglights Jim Wolf Pop-Charger with Z-tube

10-14-2006, 03:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
hfelknor Super Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 3,281	Put invisible Headlight protectors on your car. Go here http://www.eautoworks.com/html/aac-A...ction~Film.htm I did the whole front end and have yet to have a single chip or ding, Been over 3 years now. Homer __________________ 2001 Jaguar XJ8 Cruiser 2004 ThunderBird 2 passenger Runabout HAD The GOLD RUSH until Nov 6 2009 2003 Gold SLFWD with Premium, Sunroof, Latte Leather, Ultrashield Invisible Bra, Sunroof wind deflector, Aluminum Tank Guard, Chrome Wheels by Ion Alloy, Michelin 235/65-18 Cross Terrains, Garmin Nuvi 2008 Cadillac Gold Mist DTS LUX III - Gone! 2010 Mercedes Benz GLK 350 - Gone! "Didja ever notice that quiet people are not the only ones who don't say much?"

10-14-2006, 04:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
njjoe Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Jersey Shore (not THAT Jersey Shore, the real one) Posts: 11,738	SanJoseMO- You do know what the primary cause of headlight-pitting is, don't you? Tailgating. I bet you're one of those guys who gets right up to someone's bumper when they won't get out of your way on the highway, right? You get right behind them and flash your lights when they don't move fast enough. You're one of those guys, aren't you? No wonder your lenses are pitted. How do I know you're one of those tailgaters? I know, because I just finished Zaino-ing my MO for the Winter and I found a few FOD-marks on my lenses too. Tailgating is a way of life on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike during rush hour(s). -njjoe __________________ 2005 SL AWD, Platinum -OEM HID conversion & HID fogs -OEM iPod interface -Upgraded (non-Bose) speakers - Pioneer TS-A1702C & TS-G1643R -Muth signal mirrors -Valley Industries hitch and wiring harness -Aluminum fuel tank shields

10-14-2006, 05:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
SanJoseMO Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 69	I work in IT for a nationwide insurance company, so I see highway patrol and local california police department investigation scene photos...not pretty. I am a much better, cautious, and defensive driver because of this. I believe this pitting is from my weekend trips to the sierras- Lake Tahoe. In the summer Hwy 50 is very rocky, and there are some roads in the tahoe basin that are not paved. Thanks Homer for the tip- Invisible film. I hope this film is just that- Invisible. __________________ San Jose Sharks Tailgate Vehicle :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2004 SE AWD with VDC Glacier Pearl with Cafe Latte Leather HID Headlamps, Um Nitza HID foglights Jim Wolf Pop-Charger with Z-tube

10-14-2006, 06:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
Eric L. Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 8,199	Search TSB's on nissanhelp.com for one on a 3M plastic polish they recommend for use on headlight covers. Maybe its not listed for the Murano, but I think it is for the Sentra. Probably not ideal, and I think homer's suggestion of a clear film cover is probably your best choice. __________________ 2003 Midnight Blue SE AWD w/VDC Colgan Bra, Mobil One, JWT POP charger PAC aux input adapter, hardwired Escort Passport x50, KUDA mount for MP3 player, Porterfield R4S brake pads (now Akebono ProACT), ATE Superblue Yokohama Envigor (much improved over stock Goodyears) Lots of squeaks and rattles.

10-14-2006, 11:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jim D. Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 18	It would be a good idea to remove the chips, if they're not too deep, before you apply any shield... if you decide to go that route. Regardless, I'd try Mothers Plastic Polish with a PowerBall Mini. Simply lift the hood and mask off the adjacent areas with low-tack painter's tape, grab your cordless drill and have at it. Deep pits may remain, but minor ones will disappear, and the polish will leave a protective coating to help resist oxidation.

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