Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Headlight Lens "Yellowing"

Since this site you people have been so helpful with my heater problem, I figure someone might be able to help me with another problem/question.

The plastic headlight lens on our Mystique are turning "yellow" & the head lights are extremly dim.
My wife's Mom had a similar problem with her old Cougar (rear wheel drive type).

Is there any kind of recall for this?
Is there any good aftermarket replacments that won't fade?

Welcome to the CEG! You can use the search function and find some of this stuff... Here is one thread I found pretty quick...

Headlight Yellowing

Good luck!

I've seen threads in the Aesthetics forum about what methods you could use to remove the yellowing. Most seem to work well initially, but then the yellowing returns.

Try searching Aesthetics to see if there's anything that might help you.

Part of the problem are the halogen bulbs. Not all bulbs are UV blocking and that contributes to the problem.

Ford Head Lamp Replacement
For Pre 98 its 63 each, and for 98+ its 146.40. So if you are looking for pre 98 go to the web site above, but if you are looking for 98+ go to this web site Bat Inc I am pretty sure the contour and mystique lights are the same. Hope this helps. I know I am in the market for some new lights myself, can't see [censored].

contour and mystique lights ARE NOT the same. i used rubbing compound to remove the yellowing. it works good, and if it comes back, i'll just use it again. cheap, easy, and fast. ... i was talking about rubbing compound right?

Yes, rubbing compound works good, but I think the sanding method would last a lot longer. Im just too scared to sand my headlights

Either the rubbing compound or the sanding (4000 grit I think it was, wet!!) should work. Man I need to get off my lump and do mine. Not yellowing, just hazing from the road dust!!


AnyWay! With either method, be sure to polish the lens each time you polish your car and that will keep the hazing/yellowing from coming back. That is what was mentioned in the last thread about this.

For the pre98's I would prefer using rubbing compound since the lens has a texture to it. The post98's just have the smooth lens, which can be sanded evenly easier. If you sand, it is very important that you wet sand them. Also, do not use a whole lot of pressure. Let the sand paper do the work. It should only take a few stroke in one section.

i will tell you what i did. i wet sanded with 2000 grit. sanded until i was sure i got all the oxidation off and they were completly smooth. then with a polishing wheel on a dremel i buffed them with blue magic polishing cream(advance auto) it is a metal polish. it is a fine cut jewelers rouge. the headlight assys were from a local salvage yard and were in bad shape. and now i cant believe how clear they are. the key to remember is there is no 15 min fix. it takes elbow grease and patience but the result is well worth it

There is a very easy method to fixing this. It worked on my 95 mystique and I'm sure it will work on anyone elses.

I just took some nail polish remover, two clean rags, and some elbow grease.

Apply the nail polish remover to one clean rag and rub the hell out of your lights. It should start looking like a film is coming out, use the other rag to wipe this up and then go back to wiping with the polish remover. Repeat until done. It took me 5 minutes and it cost me a dollar to buy the nail polish remover. Make sure not to get it on the paint. I did this about two months ago and my headlights still look brand new.