PlastiClear

So many things we use nowadays are plastic and some of those things we have to look through or otherwise need it to remain clear. Polycarbonates such as Plexi-glass and Lexan are commonly used in motorcycle windscreens, boat windshields, airplane windshields, later model automobile headlights, specialty equipment windows, and so many other applications. These plastic windows frequently get scratched, pitted, yellowed, or some other damage to them which make them hard to see through or limit the light that has to pass through. We have a process that can remove these imperfections and, in most cases, restore the plastic back to a like new condition!

The Composite Headlight Story

Starting in the early 90s cars and trucks began using a composite headlights lens with changeable light elements. By the late 90s all the cars and trucks had this type of headlights which were brighter than conventional sealed beam headlights. Over time in traffic with oil based debris being tossed up from the pavement and a sandblasting effect from highway speeds, these composite plastic lenses discolor and get milky effectively reducing the light allowed through it. In Iowa, chapter 321.384 of the motor vehicle code states that the headlights must project visible light to 500 feet in front of the vehicle, so to illustrate what the difference would be, assume there is a deer standing in the road ahead and you are sailing along at 60 mph. Now, since deer was issued dark colored fur to blend into the surroundings instead of lights or even reflectors when born, the first you see the deer is when your headlights shine on them. So, at 60 mph and assuming you are at the state requirements, you have almost 6 seconds to react and hopefully avoid the deer. Now if your headlights are discolored or milky and only projecting 200 feet then you have only 2 seconds before your car is in the shop and your eating venison. Check your composite headlights and if they are discolored or milky, give us a call and we will get you restored to your 6 seconds and you can buy your venison at the grocery store.....remember, venison is much better from the backyard grill than from the vehicle grill. See the pictures below of an actual restoration.



This is the right front composite headlight on a 1996 Mazda Millenia that has turned milky and barely let light through.
Here is the same headlight after our treatment that completely cleared up the lens and it now it allows all the light through.
A side-by-side comparison clearly shows the difference. This car was repaired after an accident so the left front fender and headlight were replaced with new parts and the right headlight and fender were original. The treated headlight looks as good as new!

A Boston Television Station Investigation

(CBS4) BOSTON If you think you can't see at night while you drive, it might not be your fault. A CBS4 investigation reveals your automobile headlights are probably not as bright and reliable as you think they are.

When Chuck Pearson is behind the wheel he finds it very hard to see. “I drive with my high beams on all the time to compensate for the fact the low beams are insufficient."

And he's not alone. Our investigation found a growing number of motorists are hitting the road with headlights that might not meet state or federal safety standards.

It's a problem affecting hundreds of thousands of headlights on virtually every kind of vehicle!

CBS4 examined a set of headlights that were so cloudy they actually cut down the amount of light they put out!

“First of all, the sun will cause the yellowing,” said Bill Cahill, who owns an auto shop. “The second thing is the road debris, sand, dirt, rock and pebbles will actually hit the lens and nick the lens as you're driving down the road."

Auto shop owner Bill Cahill believes the majority of cars on the road are operating with aging plastic headlights.

Why?

"Manufacturers are doing it because it's easier to manufacture plastic than glass, it cuts costs," said Cahill.

But those cloudy headlights could potentially cost you your life. That's why the state says headlights must illuminate the road for at least 115 feet.

If they don't..."they're jeopardizing their own safety and the safety of everyone else on the road,” said Ann Collins who heads up the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

We asked Patrick Bzdula, who teaches auto mechanics at Mass Bay Community College, to measure how much light "cloudy" and "clear" headlights put out at 64 feet -- a little over half of the state’s mandate.

First up... Aging headlights that look frosted. "These are the degraded headlamps on low beams… put the high beams on please," said Bzdula.

You can barely see the two people standing straight ahead.

The comparison is extraordinary when you take a look at how the aging headlights compare to the newer, high intensity lights.

But despite the state's mandate, we found safety inspectors are not checking the brightness of headlights -- they're only checking the aim -- leaving some motorists believing their cars meet state standards when in reality they don't.

We asked Collins why nobody's checking. “Well, brightness is not exactly a simple thing to measure for. If you wanted to do a test at night, you'd make inspections so inconvenient that people wouldn't go and get them and that would be a much bigger problem."

So what can you do about it? Experts tell us faded headlights can be cleaned up and you can get them cleaned up and resurfaced right here at Know Chips. Call us at 515-238-9025 for an appointment time.