Headlight lens restoration
#1
Headlight lens restoration
Had a little time this weekend, so I did a little restoration on my headlight lens. I had already tried one of those kits you see advertised on TV, but got nowhere.
It was fairly badly pitted (see "Before" photo below). First, I wet-sanded with 600 grit to remove the pits (Photo 2) and then buffed it out with rubbing compound. It took a while - almost 3 hours - but the result was a big improvement.
It was fairly badly pitted (see "Before" photo below). First, I wet-sanded with 600 grit to remove the pits (Photo 2) and then buffed it out with rubbing compound. It took a while - almost 3 hours - but the result was a big improvement.
#5
Carefully Seriously, that's all I did.
That's a good idea. Hadn't thought of doing that.
I think that if I had had some 2000 grit, it would have gone a lot faster. The jump from 600 to rubbing compound leaves a lot of scratches that it takes time to get out.
Jon
Originally Posted by alex55
Are you putting something over them now, 3m or some film covers?
Originally Posted by STEVE KOJASEVIC
i did the same with mine this weekend as well !
i used the 3m kit which consists of 500 grit, 800 grit, 2000 grit wetsand, and some compound. mine came out great too !
i used the 3m kit which consists of 500 grit, 800 grit, 2000 grit wetsand, and some compound. mine came out great too !
Jon
#6
Mine look like they micro cracks or hazing. I had a professional detailed have a crack and it didn't help much. Wonder if this 3M kit you have works any better. Does it have a tool that plugs into your drill as well?
#7
If you are not putting nothing over the headlights they will become worst like the first time because you took a layer of protection when you polished it.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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#8
^What he said. Originally the headlights had UV protection on them. Now that you have scrubbed those off and are not re-applying something, your headlights will only degrade more quickly.
Now I have only found 1 kit that actually includes UV protection. What are you guys using, just the 3M film covers?
Now I have only found 1 kit that actually includes UV protection. What are you guys using, just the 3M film covers?
#10
I used the Meguiars restoration kit that includes the a bottle of UV protector. It does a pretty good job on medium to light scratches. Heavy scratches will require using a heavy wet grit sandpaper before using their product.
#11
Thread revival but tickled pink!
Had my car at a Sportech for some maint and one of the body shop guys in the same complex came by and said he could get them new for $100 or free if no improvement. He ended up removing the lights and wet sanding with coarse grit then finer and finer finishing with a buff. My headlights have always looked horrible but now they look brand new! I'm sooo pleased with this, and to think I was looking at new units on ebay for >$1200.
Now have to figure out what is needed to protect them going forward and sounds like a debate out there.
Had my car at a Sportech for some maint and one of the body shop guys in the same complex came by and said he could get them new for $100 or free if no improvement. He ended up removing the lights and wet sanding with coarse grit then finer and finer finishing with a buff. My headlights have always looked horrible but now they look brand new! I'm sooo pleased with this, and to think I was looking at new units on ebay for >$1200.
Now have to figure out what is needed to protect them going forward and sounds like a debate out there.
#14
I've been traveling a lot. I should get to it when I get back to the US in a couple of weeks.
Jon
#15
Thread revival but tickled pink!
Had my car at a Sportech for some maint and one of the body shop guys in the same complex came by and said he could get them new for $100 or free if no improvement. He ended up removing the lights and wet sanding with coarse grit then finer and finer finishing with a buff. My headlights have always looked horrible but now they look brand new! I'm sooo pleased with this, and to think I was looking at new units on ebay for >$1200.
Now have to figure out what is needed to protect them going forward and sounds like a debate out there.
Had my car at a Sportech for some maint and one of the body shop guys in the same complex came by and said he could get them new for $100 or free if no improvement. He ended up removing the lights and wet sanding with coarse grit then finer and finer finishing with a buff. My headlights have always looked horrible but now they look brand new! I'm sooo pleased with this, and to think I was looking at new units on ebay for >$1200.
Now have to figure out what is needed to protect them going forward and sounds like a debate out there.