Can I use a clay bar on plastic? Specifically the clear plastic covers on my headlights?

The inbreds at my local Ford dealer bodyshop had my car in for a fender re-clear coating, and they managed to get some kind of crap on the hood and on the passenger headlight that won't rub off (or scrape off with my finger nail.) It looks like dirt kind of, like a thin layer of dust or something (and it's not smooth to touch) which I initially thought it was, but after washing it, it didn't come off at all, so I'm gonna try the clay bar since I'm not really sure what else to do.

So... I know the clay bar is cool for the crap on the hood, but can I use it on the plastic headlight cover as well?

 

I wouldn't use claybar as a first choice, try using Meguirs Plastic-X and if that doesn't work then well, maybe claybar. Goodluck with that.

 

if i were u i wouldnt do anything to it.
take it back and make them fix it for free.
maybe you'll get a new clear on ur hood and new headlights out of it.
but if it wasnt their before then they did it so their responsible to fix it.

 

I would but I'm scared they'll just make it worse. Literally every time I take my car in there it comes back with some additional problem it didn't have before, so if there's a way for me to fix this on my own, that's how I want to go. If worst comes to worst and I can't get the stuff off with claybar/plastic polish stuff/scratch remover, I'll just take it in to a professional detailer to have it worked out.

The less time my Mustang spends at my Ford dealer = the better.

 

You can clay anything that is smooth...works great on a windshield. I would bitch to the place that messed it up but if your want to DIY...you can clay then use PlastX if there are any abrasions or scratches.

 

In the end I used Plastic X on the headlight cover, and Meg's Scratch X on the hood, and after working it a bit, everything came off cleanly. I tried claying the hood first, but it didn't take off whatever the stuff was, although it did make that spot of the hood nice and smooth.

Thanks for your help everyone!

 

thats called overspray my friend, take it back to them

 

I would take it back and get them to sort it. However I did claybar mineand they turned out Crystal clear.

 

1+ depending on the clay bar used it can get overspray out quite easily!

 

You really should take it back and have them do it. Your car probably wasnt masked right, but it is their fault. I'd take it back, bitch and moan and try to get a free detail or something. How would they feel if u went and took a dump on the hood of one of their cars....prob about as much as u liked the overspray[sm=icon_flaming.gif]