Skylight help

[walterc2]

Our 305RL has two skylights. They have both become less and less clear. I am thinking that some type of plastic polish may help restore them. Has anyone else dealt with this issue successfully?

[jsb5717]

There may be some with success stories to share. I haven't tried it but they make various products for polishing car head lights. I've wondered if that might work.

[DutchmenSport]

I've never considered cleaning any of mine other than just with soap and a brush. Doesn't matter to me if they are foggy or not, can't see nothing but the sky and they still let in light.

However, plastic is plastic. If you want them cleared up, you might consider an automotive headlight cleaner. There are many brands out there now. From Google (I have no clue myself):

People also ask
What is the best headlight restorer?
Here's 5 Best Car Headlight Restoration Kits To Buy

Meguiars G3000 Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit.
Sylvania Car Headlight Restoration kit. ...
Mothers NuLens Car Headlight Restoration Kit. ...
3M Car Headlight Restoration Kit. ...
Turtle Wax T-240KT Headlight Lens Restorer Kit. ...

True story: and a funny side bar:
We purchased our very first hard-sided travel trailer. It was a Dutchmen Sport. My mother-in-law went camping with us on one of our earlier trips. I (a male) was in the bathroom using it when my mother-in-law yelled through the door... "Better cover that (thing) up that helicopter flying over head as people in it with binoculars and that room has a skylight!" I jumped like a scared jack rabbit and then realized .... OH DUH! She got me good!

But it did make me very conscious about the skylight after that, and forever after!

[Loneoak]

The one in the bathroom we applied some plastic film with a pattern. This cuts some of the light and keeps a bit of the heat out. The one in the kitchen we keep the cover closed all the time. We don't want too much heat coming in.

[GHallof]

I have a habit (HOBBY) of flipping used vehicles. Many of these vehicles are of the age that their headlight plastic lense housings are yellowed or fogged over.

You can buy the Parts store solutions or try this. I myself have not found a better solution.

This is what works for me and lasts for at least three years or more.

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! You can easily cause more damage. Just take your time and be careful.

1. Start by sanding the surface with 1000 grit wet sand paper. A thorough sanding across the entire area.

2. Follow this up by sanding the same with 2000 grit wet sand paper.

3. Low RPM Buff (BE WARY OF BURN) with 3M Finesse IT final finish liquid until surface restored from sanding process. If you have certain areas that dont come clear completely this because the oxidation has worked its way through the entire thickness of the plastic.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-...3242753&rt=rud

4. Thoroughly clean the surface using DAWN and water. Allow to completely dry.

5. Prep area for painting. Obtain enough of the following for two coats.
https://www.krylon.com/products/uvre...clear-coating/

6. Apply two coats of the above, allowing enough time for thorough drying between applications.

Now for headlights this works great for bringing back to like new condition and protecting them for years to come.

For the skylight...I believe your result will be the same, but your view out of the skylight will likely be clear or much much clearer with some distorted viewing from the clear coat.

Just my two cents!! Best of luck!

[Jeff n Susan]

I have had good luck with Rain-X. I would say to use this at your own risk too! I polish mine (our current 5r) a couple times a year. We are awaiting delivery of a new 330rl, so I hope it wont be much of an issue for a while. But I am sure they are all made from either, the same manufacturer of at the very least, the same cheap stuff!

[Golfmedik]

Clean the outer lens with Dawn and water, let dry, tape off roof and paint with Krylon Gloss White spray paint in criss crossing pattern in aboiut 3 layers. All the light comes through, none of the heat and it looks much better than the dull clear lens. OR, replace the lens and then do as I described as i twill make the lens last much longer then.

[1retired06]

No, except the aging or replace

[mlh]

Originally Posted by GHallof

I have a habit (HOBBY) of flipping used vehicles. Many of these vehicles are of the age that their headlight plastic lense housings are yellowed or fogged over.

You can buy the Parts store solutions or try this. I myself have not found a better solution.

This is what works for me and lasts for at least three years or more.

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! You can easily cause more damage. Just take your time and be careful.

1. Start by sanding the surface with 1000 grit wet sand paper. A thorough sanding across the entire area.

2. Follow this up by sanding the same with 2000 grit wet sand paper.

3. Low RPM Buff (BE WARY OF BURN) with 3M Finesse IT final finish liquid until surface restored from sanding process. If you have certain areas that dont come clear completely this because the oxidation has worked its way through the entire thickness of the plastic.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-...3242753&rt=rud

4. Thoroughly clean the surface using DAWN and water. Allow to completely dry.

5. Prep area for painting. Obtain enough of the following for two coats.
https://www.krylon.com/products/uvre...clear-coating/

6. Apply two coats of the above, allowing enough time for thorough drying between applications.

Now for headlights this works great for bringing back to like new condition and protecting them for years to come.

For the skylight...I believe your result will be the same, but your view out of the skylight will likely be clear or much much clearer with some distorted viewing from the clear coat.

Just my two cents!! Best of luck!

This WILL work no question! It will last for years especially if you put a couple of coats of clear paint on it. If you are worried about burning the plastic use the red polish compound on it then follow up with white polish compound rubbing by hand.
Lynwood

[GHallof]

Originally Posted by mlh

This WILL work no question! It will last for years especially if you put a couple of coats of clear paint on it. If you are worried about burning the plastic use the red polish compound on it then follow up with white polish compound rubbing by hand.
Lynwood

Lynwood,

Much appreciated! Ill give it a try on the next set I do.

Travel Safe!!

[rustynail]

I used armorall head light restorer. Worked fantastic. Been over a year and is as clear as new

[JamesD]

Originally Posted by walterc2

Our 305RL has two skylights. They have both become less and less clear. I am thinking that some type of plastic polish may help restore them. Has anyone else dealt with this issue successfully?

Most of these skylights are pretty thin, and the plastic gets brittle with exposure to UV rays. At some point you are better off replacing them.

[goodellj]

I had the same problem with the skylight over the shower. I recall that it was crystal clear when new, and over the last 8 years it has become opaque. The light came in, so I didn't care. BUT, I became concerned about the UV rays causing the plastic to become brittle.

I had some leftover material from a Meguiars 2-step headlight restoration kit. I polished the skylight twice with the cleaning/polishing goo, then applied 2 coats of the varnish that comes with the kit. It worked pretty well, and Meguiar's is supposed to protect from UV.

[TLightning]

I put Protect All on all exterior plastic....light covers, fake wood trim, sky lights, vent covers, etc. Get it at Wally World.