I've had my 8 for about a year now and have had that crappy looking film on my headlights for as long as I can remember.
I know there are other threads about the problem but I though I should add this one since it proved to be a miracle cure for me.
Many people have complained about the filmy headlights and even a few have had them replaced.
It looks nasty and I have scrubbed the lights with soap and other cleaners to no avail and had pretty much concluded that the film must be on the inside of the lens since scrubbing the exterior didn't do a thing.
I was wrong and highly reccommend that others do what I did.

I had a few bug guts and tiny tar spots on the car so I bought some bug and tar cleaner. This stuff was a gift from the gods! Not only did it take off the bugs and tar but it made my headlights NEW again.

I sort of figured it out by accident. After seeing how well it cleaned all of the other crud off my car I thought I'd give it a try on the headlight lenses.

AMAZING RESULTS!

The product is called Lifter 1 Bug and Tar remover and is manufactured by Lifter1.
http://lifter1.com/products/index.htm
It is a citrus based cleaner that comes in an aerosol can and comes out as a foam.
Just spray it on the headlight lenses and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
Wipe it off and then GRIN!!!!!! :D

You'll be shocked!


BTW-I probably should have posted this in the show and shine section but I thought that since it was a problem then it was more suitable here.

No- I'm not affilated. Just so damn happy that this stuff worked so well.

Gary

 

Nice. I'll give this a try.

 

You've got to be kidding... I'm looking for this stuff tonight. Where do you buy it??

 

I've been 100% convinced that film is on the inside as well, and not the outside. I've detailed her a dozen times atleast and can't see how that's on the OUTside? hmmm.

 

I took polishing compound to mine and confirmed the film was on the inside. They were replaced under warranty and the problem has not returned.

 

What did you say to them to get them to replace them, and did they give you an explanation to why the film was there?

them them them

 

Any autoparts store has it.
I think I bought it at discount auto.
I also think that website mentions Walmart.

It's a yellow and black can.

WORKS GREAT!

Post your results if you try it. :D

 

I thought the same fricking thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

So did I!
I scrubbed with sponges, soap, polishes, petroleum distillates.
That stuff just had to be on the inside I thought.
I was ready to take the car in to Mazda myself but I had also heard stories about the problem returning after replacement of the lenses.

 

Has anyone tried a clay bar? It usally will remove all sort ot crud from glass, of course if the lens covers are plastic do not use clay you could scratch the heck out of them and then be screwed.

 

The film was definately on the inside of the lens on my car. You can tell because the film could clearly be seen on the inside (A few cm distance away from the surface). Mazda replaced it for me. Looks sharp now

 

I just showed them to the Service Manager at the local dealership. He verified the problem and placed a call to Mazda. They were subsequently replaced under warranty without issue. I had over 19k mile at the time and was expecting a fight but not the case (this time).

 

Thanks - Mine are getting worse, so I'll go by and do the same. I wonder why a TSB was not issued for this? Maybe it is not widespread or nobody has looked closely at their headlights.

 

I mentioned in a different thread that I too thought the "film" was on the inside. Until I waxed my headlights one day. The "film" was gone. I believe they're actually microscopic scratches on the outside of the lense. About once a month I have to go back and wax them again, and the "film" goes away. I don't know what it really is, or where it comes from, but maybe the bug and tar remover is doing the same thing as the wax... Getting in the scratches and filling them making it look like the problem has been "cleaned" away.

 

That's weird. I had mine replaced because of the film. I could have sworn it was inside the headlight and I tried cleaning them for a good 15 mins to no avail, but I didn't try waxing because afraid to scratch the plastic. Mazda is losing a ton of money if everyone starts replacing their headlights because of "outside" film. And guess who's gonna be paying for it in the long run?

Can anyone else who didn't have their headlights replaced confirm it can be waxed off? Let's try to save Mazda some money so they can spend it on other things(like R&D on FI)

 

Has anyone ever posted pics on this issue?

 

I'll do mine tonight. Don't know how well the photo will turn out, but we will see. I'm on PST, so it will be late for some of you...

 

There may be multiple issues here but I am 100% positive the film on my headlights was on the inside. Not only did the try wax and cleaners but I also sanded and polished the lenses. They did sparkle but the film was still there. As I said in another thread, the area of the film/oily haze roughly corresponded with areas of condensation I was experiencing last winter.

 

Thanks Nemesis8, I did some searching and couldn't find any comparison pictures.

 

any pics

 

I spaced it out last night - should never of had that second Vodka martini... Tonight I'll try :o

 

thank u

 

Just went out and tried to photograph this film, and I'm sorry to say it does not come out in the photos. I have the film, in fact TheDosDog saw it down at Sevenstock this year on my covers. Sorry guys.

It looks like a soap film on the inside. Remember the back inside window having a similar film? I think something degassed in the headlights and left a film.

 

I need to check this out...

 

I had my headlights replaced, but I need to go back to the dealership tomorrow.

They didn't adjust my headlights when they did the install, so while my lights look normal up close, from far away the left lens is fine, but the right one looks yellow. This is because the right light points about 4"+ too low. bah.

I'd adjust it myself, but from what I've read, the HID lights need the front bumper off to adjust.