I've started clear-coating my new solar lights to prevent this from happening to my new purchases. So far, so good. It's even helped some that were just starting to get a little clouded.
Having viewed 10 or more tutorials on this subject I can categorically tell you my way is the best and quickest. I did 26 lights in probably 30 minutes. One does not need sand paper or painters tape. I did it 2 ways with equal results. First removed lamp top, wiped down with wet cloth, and acetoned the entire top paint and all. Then Rustoleum Clear painted entire top. Like new! The second way deletes the acetone wash. Wash top with damp cloth and merely spray with Rustoleum Clear. One can not tell the difference. It appears that the opacified oxidation on the solar panel goes back into solution with the solvents in the paint. They look like new in a fraction of the time without any sanding or taping .
I was wondering if I could do this. One thing I have been doing is taking hot glue and gluing around the solar panel setting. I’ve had many lights get water into them and yes they “said” they were for outdoors! Thanks for your help.
Hopefully this video saves our landfills from being full of unnecessary waste. If people are concerned about using aerosol, similar results can be achieved brushing on a gloss non yellowing polyurethane meant for outdoor furniture.
Try changing the batteries. You can purchase rechargeable batteries (they are the same size as AA batteries). The sun will recharge them. I bought mine on Amazon. Geilienergy Ni-MH AA 600mAh 1.2V.
Hello Dan , thank you for the solar panel restoration info , I was wondering ; would spraying brand new panels with the Rustoleum product be of any use ? Many thanks , keith , Liverpool UK
Mine look way worse, but there also about 8years old. I will have to give this a try. Since mine sill work, I've honestly never stopped and looked at them until today. I'm really surprised mine work as well as they do, after looking them over, and seeing that horrid mess. Lol
I have a set of 4 solar lights here, (Bell & Howell Disc Mosaic solar lights ) cleaned them up as best I could, but it appears the other side facing the cells has turned white also , very white cloudy, ( 3 seasons on them) 3 are still working, but I'm guessing not for much longer , taking one apart, it's impossible to get at the underside of the plastic,
GREAT tip Dan!! 👍👍👍👍. Question: I have a veggie garden in my back yard and was wondering if I put solar lights around my flower beds would that draw the bad bugs to flower beds and veggie plots?
Someone neeeds to comment I n whether this actuallt worked for them . I will try it if all these things are less expensive than just replacing the darn things
That Mother's buffer tool looks great. I was trying to use toothpaste but I did not have anything small enough to buff with. It's pricey but I am going to get it. I have a huge solar light "farm".....I would've used the brown paint.....never let the women choose ;-)
You can take Cheap Solar Lights and take the LED out. Put in a Higher Brighter LED Bulb and your SOLAR LED will be really bright. NOTE: Once you do this, the Battery will drained faster.
I've started clear-coating my new solar lights to prevent this from happening to my new purchases. So far, so good. It's even helped some that were just starting to get a little clouded.
That’s a great idea
Is it still holding up?
Thank you, I needed this idea!
How are they doing now?
@@blank-dr2kx They lasted a little more than two years. I like to switch my lights out, so I don't recharge the batteries.
Having viewed 10 or more tutorials on this subject I can categorically tell you my way is the best and quickest. I did 26 lights in probably 30 minutes. One does not need sand paper or painters tape.
I did it 2 ways with equal results. First removed lamp top, wiped down with wet cloth, and acetoned the entire top paint and all. Then Rustoleum Clear painted entire top. Like new!
The second way deletes the acetone wash. Wash top with damp cloth and merely spray with Rustoleum Clear. One can not tell the difference. It appears that the opacified oxidation on the solar panel goes back into solution with the solvents in the paint. They look like new in a fraction of the time without any sanding or taping .
Are they still functioning afterwards? I'm going to buy the spray tomorrow if so!
I was wondering if I could do this. One thing I have been doing is taking hot glue and gluing around the solar panel setting. I’ve had many lights get water into them and yes they “said” they were for outdoors! Thanks for your help.
Silion is better
Hopefully this video saves our landfills from being full of unnecessary waste. If people are concerned about using aerosol, similar results can be achieved brushing on a gloss non yellowing polyurethane meant for outdoor furniture.
Off bug repellant works good and easy to remove cloudy sensors. Spray it on wipe it off then coat with clear spray. Saves the time of polishing.
I will try that, thanks
I've used Off on yellowing headlights takes it right off. But if it does that what does Off do to the skin?? Good for thought!
Can I buff it by hand? I don’t have a power drill. Do you spray lacquer on it only once? Or every couple months?
16 lights later and sealed with clear coat, not one lights up. Not just waste of time but that clear coat seat sealed the deal on my wasted lights!
Try changing the batteries. You can purchase rechargeable batteries (they are the same size as AA batteries). The sun will recharge them. I bought mine on Amazon. Geilienergy Ni-MH AA 600mAh 1.2V.
Wow, I just discovered a solar light that looked like that last weekend. Thought it was a lost cause thanks!
Quicker and easier to just squirt some clear coat lacquer on them. Before, or after they get foggy it works just as well.
Really fast and super easy for people in US
Wow like headlight restoration
Clear finger nail polish works too
Will this work for auto headlights?
THATS MY QUESTION TOO! LOL 😆 My truck lights
Does Mother's polish work on headlight covers the same way?
Wd40 and kitchen scrub pad. Rub all over. Use paper towel rub. Done!! Easy peasy. No fuss works. Some were pretty bad.
Hello Dan , thank you for the solar panel restoration info , I was wondering ; would spraying brand new panels with the Rustoleum product be of any use ?
Many thanks , keith , Liverpool UK
A gentleman on here said he did just that to avoid any discoloration and to protect it.
Mine look way worse, but there also about 8years old. I will have to give this a try. Since mine sill work, I've honestly never stopped and looked at them until today. I'm really surprised mine work as well as they do, after looking them over, and seeing that horrid mess. Lol
Wow! 8 years old? Do you remember the brand or if they still make them? Most people are lucky to get 2 years out of them.
I have a set of 4 solar lights here, (Bell & Howell Disc Mosaic solar lights ) cleaned them up as best I could, but it appears the other side facing the cells has turned white also , very white cloudy, ( 3 seasons on them) 3 are still working, but I'm guessing not for much longer , taking one apart, it's impossible to get at the underside of the plastic,
Can you do this to LED Christmas lights that have oxidized
My ones are new and they don’t come on , is that due to them not getting enough sunlight ?
The weather is really dull at the moment .55(
Looks good!, where can one buy that mother’s cream that you scrub panels with.?
Use toothpaste
Should be available at any auto parts store
Great, handy video. I'll do that to my little solar panel on my grape vine. Thanks for the information.
How do you fix a backward solar light?(it lights during day)
I have one of those, too. It worked last year, but was backward this year.
Great idea. Now how to get rid of the yellowing of the clear plastic? Any takers out there?
Off insects repellent works but you have to wipe it off quickly after you spray it on.
GREAT tip Dan!! 👍👍👍👍. Question: I have a veggie garden in my back yard and was wondering if I put solar lights around my flower beds would that draw the bad bugs to flower beds and veggie plots?
Depends, but most bugs will attract to the light at night unfortunately.
Dan, any chance you or anyone could please provide me the UPC for the proper clear coat to use?
That looks good from here. Peace.
Loved it, keep them coming!
Thank you, i have some that need cleaning!
Try fingernail polish and a rag. It takes 30 seconds a l8ght?
Well done, thank you 😊
Super! Thank you for this wonderful idea
Great tip--thanks.
Thanks so much! Very helpful!
Ty definitely trying this. Ty again
Perfect fix idea.
Nice video sir very helpful😊
Why not just use clear spray enamel ?!? - it literally takes just two seconds.
Thank you! I'm looking for quick & easy!
Thank you kind SIR
Someone neeeds to comment I n whether this actuallt worked for them . I will try it if all these things are less expensive than just replacing the darn things
Great video.. thank u..:)
Genius.
By the time you buy all of those products you might as well buy new lights
I just bought two new solar lights that dont work
Nice
That Mother's buffer tool looks great. I was trying to use toothpaste but I did not have anything small enough to buff with. It's pricey but I am going to get it. I have a huge solar light "farm".....I would've used the brown paint.....never let the women choose ;-)
Great video
After buying all that you can buy new ones
I dont have that!
I opened mine in the summer it was full of ants.
acetone is faster and easier
I wondered about that as an option, too, but was afraid it might damage the plastic or glass.
What’s the brightest solar light you’ve experienced?
You can take Cheap Solar Lights and take the LED out. Put in a Higher Brighter LED Bulb and your SOLAR LED will be really bright. NOTE: Once you do this, the Battery will drained faster.
@@JodBronson And how do you replace - I can't find solar batteries
The sun
Ridiculous! Just buy new ones!
For 2 dollars you spent 20
These lights were not purchased from the dollar store. They are made of glass and powder coated metal. Cheers!
What about ones that are made of clear plastic? Should I also use this on the light cover? My light covers have haze even after cleaning
Thank you ! Great video..