Cleaning opaque plastic is important, for both aesthetic and functional reasons. For example, blurry car headlights can reduce visibility when driving at night, while blurry plastic cups and blender containers are less pleasing to the eye. To clean opaque plastic, you can first wipe it with a mixture of soap and water. If that doesn't work, you can soak or wipe the plastic in a mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and maybe a little water to remove the blur. In the case of very blurry car headlights, you may need to sand and polish the plastic using a handheld rotary sander.
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Method 1 of 3: Cleaning Plastic Cups and Blender Containers
Step 1. Soak the cup in vinegar
Fill a small bucket (or sink) with white vinegar. Soak the frosted glass in the solution for five minutes. Then lift and see the results.
Step 2. Sprinkle baking soda on a cup that has been coated with vinegar
If using vinegar isn't getting the results you want, sprinkle a handful of baking soda on the glass. You can also sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and use it to scrub the glass. The baking soda and vinegar will react, dissolving the coating that makes the plastic look opaque.
Step 3. Use a mixture of vinegar and water
Mix white vinegar and water in equal proportions. For example, if you're going to be cleaning a lot of plastic items, it's a good idea to fill the sink with one liter of vinegar and one liter of water. Soak the opaque plastic in the solution and leave it for an hour.
- Rub the plastic cup with a damp cloth until it looks clear.
- Rinse the glass that is not opaque in the sink with warm water. Dry the glass using a soft cloth.
Step 4. Use a baking soda paste
Instead of using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, mix equal parts water and baking soda to form a paste. For example, you can mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one tablespoon of water. Take a small amount of the paste with a paper towel and rub it on a small part of the plastic surface in a circular motion.
As the paste removes the opaque layer from the inside of the blender container or glass being cleaned, you will notice that the paper towels become dirty
Step 5. Try a lemon juice mixture
Mix the juice of one lemon with two tablespoons of baking soda. Fill an opaque plastic cup or blender container with water until it is full. If you want to clean the blurry case of the blender, run the machine at high speed for a few seconds, then turn it off and remove the blades (if possible). While the glass or blender jar still contains the water and lemon juice mixture, scrub the inside with a soft sponge or microfiber cloth. Once the plastic is no longer opaque, discard the water and lemon juice mixture.
Method 2 of 3: Cleaning Blurred Car Headlights with Vinegar and Baking Soda
Step 1. Clean the car headlights with soapy water
Fill a spray bottle with a few drops of mild liquid soap and water. Spray the headlights with this soap mixture. You can also fill a bucket with soapy water, then dip a clean cloth and use it to wipe the headlights.
Step 2. Mix vinegar and baking soda
Pour a few tablespoons of baking soda into a bowl. Then, add a few tablespoons of vinegar. Mixing baking soda and vinegar will produce a sizzling reaction.
You don't need to make exact measurements for baking soda and vinegar. Just add the two ingredients in approximately the same amount
Step 3. Wipe the headlights clean with the mixture
Dip a clean washcloth in the sizzling vinegar and baking soda mixture. Wipe the headlights with a cloth in a back and forth motion as you would clean them with soapy water.
- Don't be afraid to hurt yourself when you dip your hands in the sizzling mixture. The combination of baking soda and vinegar is harmless.
- When you're done cleaning your headlights with the vinegar mixture, dry the headlights with a damp cloth or sponge.
Method 3 of 3: Cleaning Blurred Car Headlights with Sandpaper
Step 1. Soak the sandpaper in water
Before cleaning the foggy headlights, soak the sandpaper in water. You will need at least one sheet of 1000 grit sandpaper and one sheet of 2000 or 3000 grit sandpaper. Soak the sandpaper for 15 minutes.
Step 2. Cover the area around the lamp with painter's tape
Before you start cleaning the foggy headlights, protect the metal area around the headlights with tape. Painter's tape is usually blue, but it may be available in other colors and works just like regular tape. Apply tape around the edge of the headlight to be cleaned.
Step 3. Spray the headlights with a solution of water and soap
Fill a spray bottle with water and a small amount of special car wash soap. Spray the lamp with a generous amount of the mixture. You can also dip a cloth in soapy water and use it to clean the lamp.
Step 4. Sand the headlights
Spray the headlights with a mixture of water and soap while scrubbing them with 1000 grit sandpaper. Move your hand from left to right across the surface of the lamp while applying constant pressure. Continue to spray the headlights with the soap mixture while working.
Step 5. Check the headlights
After sanding the entire surface of the lamp, wipe it with a clean, dry towel. Check the condition of the lights visually. The surface of the lamp should remain smooth, without any scratches or damage. At this stage, the plastic still looks opaque. If you see any scratches or damage, spray the headlights again with soapy water while sanding them with 1000 grit sandpaper.
Step 6. Spray the headlights with soapy water
Keep spraying the lamp with more soapy water. Alternatively, you can also use a sponge that has been moistened with soapy water to clean the lamp.
Step 7. Rub the headlights with a finer sandpaper
Continue to spray the headlights with soapy water. Use 2000 or 3000 grit sandpaper to reduce blur. Move the sandpaper left and right while spraying the soapy water constantly with the other hand.
Step 8. Check the condition of the headlights
After scrubbing the surface of the lamp with a finer sandpaper, dry it with a clean cloth. When you're done, the lights should look more uniform and less blurry.
If the surface of the headlights looks uneven, rub the headlights again with 2000 or 3000 grit sandpaper while spraying with soapy water
Step 9. Polish the headlights
Apply two dabs of ordinary polish on a rotary polisher equipped with an 8 cm polishing pad. Place the pad on the surface of the lamp before turning on the engine. Then, start the engine at a speed of between 1500-1800 revolutions per minute and move the pad slowly over the surface of the lamp.
- Apply only slight pressure when using the polisher on the lamp surface.
- This step will remove any remaining blur after the sanding process.
Step 10. Check the headlights
If the first coat of polish does not improve the appearance of the plastic, wait a few minutes for the lamp plastic to cool before trying again. Reapply two dabs of polish on the pad, then polish the surface again with the rotary polisher.
Step 11. Apply the final polish
Applying a protective polish will make the plastic of the lamp clearer. After polishing the plastic lamp, apply the last two dabs of polish on the 8 cm polishing pad. As before, place the pad on the surface of the lamp before starting the engine. Set the tool at 1200-1500 revolutions per minute. Start the engine and move the bearing slowly and evenly over the headlight surface.
- When finished, wipe the headlights with a dry towel. Remove the tape around the edge of the lamp.
- At this stage, you won't have any more blur in the headlights. If there are still areas that look blurry, apply the final polish again, then wipe with a clean towel.
