Headlight restoration

[Vikas]

Just tape off one inch square of headlight in the corner and wet sand it using 1000 - 1500 and 2000 grit sandpaper in succession. Most auto stores carry 2000 grit. Even Walmart sometimes has them. If you have polishing compound, you could try after 2000 paper. This is how I started on my Corian counter top over the weekend and made it shine like granite

- Vikas

 

[Mustang_Cougar]

Originally Posted By: 97tbird
Those of you who did not post pics of your results with 3M, Novus etc: Can we have some pics to see how well they turned out?

I'm going to be doing another set of headlights soon with the 3M product ($16/Walmart); I'll do before-and-after pics.

 

[Sayjac]

I am so satisfied with the results on my daughter's 01 Civic using Crystal View that I purchased another kit($19.95) at Advance Auto for my 01 Tacoma. Used a $10 AAP promo coopin and purchased some bug and tar remover to get over the $25 purchase min.

If I can figure out how to post pics I will, but my results on the Civic are similar to 97tbird, excellent. I still recommend the product and appreciate the fact no drill is required.

fwiw, the Walmarts TLE around here are still providing headlight restoration, using the Crystal View kits, for $40.00. Doing it yourself for half that seems worth it to me.

 

[97tbird]

cool - where do you get the AAP promo coupons?
and i f you want to email me your pics, I can post them for you. Just PM me., and I 'll send you my email address.

 

[Sayjac]

The link is on the promo board under "Advance Auto $10 Coupon". It's been there a while and one expired but there's a new one. Rather than have you search for it in the thread I'll post the link below. Click on the "aap10coupon.pdf" link. I had to adjust my printer settings to make it larger but it worked. You might want to read the last several pages of the thread to get an idea of how to use the coupon. I've had no problems and used one a few times.

AAP coupon

 

[crazyoildude]

i saw a neighbor with a corolla that had yellowed headlights and he used gasoline on a rag and they seemed to come out pretty good.. i was impressed

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: occupant


Possibly a STUPID question, but would 00, 000, or 0000 steel wool be of any help on plastic lights?

I am curious too. How about scotchbrite..probably a bad idea.

 

[OGSO]

I used Meguiar's plaxtic X (recommendation from here) on a 99 concorde, 98 passat and 01 town and country and all the lights now look like new. I do polish them every three months when I wax the cars.

 

[Al]

What is a good treatment to limit UV damage to new or restored lights.

 

[Roger]

I accidently put some Mequiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner (their "step 1" product) on the front headlights of my Altima once. It cleaned the scratched, hazy dull finish to a bright crystal clear, like new finish. Cheap, easy and effective. Its all I use now.

Al, about the only thing I can think of to limit UV damage would be a conventional wax periodically or possibly an acrylic sealant, such as Klasse All in One. Either one requires re-appplication over time. Or ... park in the shade?

 

[Slick 55]

I wonder if 303 Protectant would work.

 

[fjasper]

I used the 3M kit, and it worked fine. Like most polishing jobs, you get out of it what you put into it. Don't skimp on masking the surrounding surfaces.

The headlights I've done seem to have a hard coating that deteriorates and has to be removed before the underlying polycarbonate can be polished. The hard stuff might just be UV-damaged polycarbonate, though.

Multiple grades of regular sandpaper, starting with 800 or maybe 600 for really crusty lenses and finishing with 2000, followed by some plastic polish, would probably work as well as a kit, maybe for less money.

Now that the lights are polished, I wipe on some 303 when I clean the car. It makes the lights look extra shiny and seems to make it easier to get bugs off.

I've been thinking about throwing a layer of clear coat on the lights, does anyone have a Been there done that?

 

[fjasper]

Oh yeah, and Hello, My Name is Fjasper and I'm an oilcaholic.

 

[ET16]

Originally Posted By: Crustacean
Wet sand them and clear coat them with a two part Polly clear.
Its the only thing Ive seen last.


What's the difference between a regular clear coat and two-part?

 

[Ronn]

I just used this stuff. Works great:

Headlight Polishing Kit

This pic is from the vendor, but pretty much reflects my results.

 

[Ronn]

Originally Posted By: Ronn
I just used this stuff. Works great:

Headlight Polishing Kit

This pic is from the vendor, but pretty much reflects my results.

OK..here is an AFTER PIC using this kit. This is a 12YR old lens.

 

[Antigen]

Use MEguiar's headlight restoration kit. It never failed me.

 

[97tbird]

compared with kits needing power tools, i still think the CV kit did/does a better job AND costs less, and can be done by hand.
I still haven't seen definitive before/after pics like I posted for the CV kit for any of the other products mentioned here.