2012 Honda Accord headlight restoration.

[gregk24]

This was the first full headlight restoration on my 2012 Accord. It lives outside 24/7 so it has seen some environmental abuse. I always kept the lenses protected with whatever flavor of wax/sealant I favored at the time, but time takes it’s toll as always.

I taped off the lights with 3M auto masking tape, then wet sanded with 1000 grit, followed by 1500, 2500, then 3000. I then polished them with Meguiars Ultimate Compound and a Harbor Freight orange pad. The final step was topping them with Sonax PNS.

I ended up washing the car after since wet sanding the lights produced a lot of residue that coated the front bumper, it was due for a wash anyway.

I am VERY pleased with the results. The before and after pics don’t do it justice.

 

[gregk24]

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[gregk24]

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[gregk24]

Final wash.

 

[gregk24]

Interior.

 

[The Critic]

They look great, but without any UV clearcoat, they will need to be redone in months, not years.

I would consider removing the Sonax sealant, DA sanding the lights with 3000 grit and applying this product:
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Quick-Headlight-Clear-39173/dp/B079QL8BYK

It holds up for over 1 year in my area. You need two packs per car.

 

[gregk24]

They look great, but without any UV clearcoat, they will need to be redone in months, not years.

I would consider removing the Sonax sealant, DA sanding the lights with 3000 grit and applying this product:
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Quick-Headlight-Clear-39173/dp/B079QL8BYK

It holds up for over 1 year in my area. You need two packs per car.

I did use 3000 grit by hand and it was not enough to polish the lights to "clear". After 3000 I used Meguiars Ultimate Compound and they are crystal now.

I was actually planning on using that 3M product and searched for it locally without success. When the headlights do dull, I'll plan on using that instead.

As far as the OEM clear coat, as you can see from the pictures very little of it was left, and the remainder was failing quickly. So the best option was to sand the entire lens down to clean plastic. There was no point saving what was left.

 

[miden851]

good job

however if it was my car, I would not worry about it too much; try to park it away from the Sun so that Sun beams the end of the car; I would drive it as is and at one point in time invest some $$ and buy a new set of headlights; moreover, i'd invest in new all weather floor mats, remove a wheel lock and invest in tint to your windows since you're living in FL or at least a good window visors

my 17Accord have a warranty on the head lights up to 10years so Im covered, since Honda was having a quality problems with DRL on this Accord model. Of course, having a garage helps along the way

 

[gregk24]

good job

however if it was my car, I would not worry about it too much; try to park it away from the Sun so that Sun beams the end of the car; I would drive it as is and at one point in time invest some $$ and buy a new set of headlights; moreover, i'd invest in new all weather floor mats, remove a wheel lock and invest in tint to your windows since you're living in FL or at least a good window visors

my 17Accord have a warranty on the head lights up to 10years so Im covered, since Honda was having a quality problems with DRL on this Accord model. Of course, having a garage helps along the way

I was considering buying new lights, but the cost would be around $500-$600. I spent less than $20 for the sandpaper and they look new again. I'd love to garage the car but that is not an option. We have a single car carport, but the Jetta now gets that.

 

[miden851]

i'd wait 2-3y perhaps, the prices will come down most likely

I like your seats, those are very comfortable seats; our CRV gets those kind seats while my Accord have just plain awful seats; go figure

 

[gregk24]

i'd wait 2-3y perhaps, the prices will come down most likely

I like your seats, those are very comfortable seats; our CRV gets those kind seats while my Accord have just plain awful seats; go figure

The seats are fine for me around town, but on longer trips they start to bother my wife and I. I suppose that could be said of many cars though. Sitting for 6+ hours is uncomfortable, period.

I do appreciate that Honda uses a stiff side bolster on these, I think that helps keep the seats in better shape over time.

 

[gregk24]

i'd wait 2-3y perhaps, the prices will come down most likely

I like your seats, those are very comfortable seats; our CRV gets those kind seats while my Accord have just plain awful seats; go figure

Maybe so. I started looking at least 2 if not 3 years ago when the clear started coming off. The price hasn't decreased since then. In 3 years the car will be nearly 13 years old so the price would have to be significantly less for me to even consider replacement. Replacement would be OEM or nothing.

 

[The Critic]

I did use 3000 grit by hand and it was not enough to polish the lights to "clear". After 3000 I used Meguiars Ultimate Compound and they are crystal now.

I was actually planning on using that 3M product and searched for it locally without success. When the headlights do dull, I'll plan on using that instead.

As far as the OEM clear coat, as you can see from the pictures very little of it was left, and the remainder was failing quickly. So the best option was to sand the entire lens down to clean plastic. There was no point saving what was left.

I think you misunderstood my post. I was suggesting that you apply the 3M product to prolong the lifespan of the restoration. The 3M product is a wipe-on clearcoat and will not adhere to a fully restored lens. The product only adheres to lens that are sanded to 3000 grit because the roughness gives the clearcoat a surface to "bite" onto. Anything coarser and the product will be unable to fill those sand scratches.

 

[CharBaby]

gregk24,
I've seen many of your photos on that Accord. You certainly do a nice job on your vehicles.

 

[diyjake]

Nice job! This accord looks like it is in mind condition, even the seats look like are they brand new.

 

[miden851]

The seats are fine for me around town, but on longer trips they start to bother my wife and I. I suppose that could be said of many cars though. Sitting for 6+ hours is uncomfortable, period.

I do appreciate that Honda uses a stiff side bolster on these, I think that helps keep the seats in better shape over time.

I agree; Honda is usually stiff anyway, I got EXL on purpose instead the sport model; however, looking back I should got EX or even LX model

CRVs seats are much more comfortable in our case

 

[1 SX]

Interior.

The lights came out really good!, Also, its hard to find a car now days with the wood grain trim/interior. Its just enough on the Accord with the tan leather that it makes it look nice.
I remember in 2005 when buying the XG350L, i was sold on the two tone interior, with chrome, and wood grain, looking back, it was WAY too much of this "wood" and chrome. LOL. How times have changed..