i'm convinced that headlight restoration kits suck.

[vash]

i follow the instructions. nothing last. my headlights are foggy and yellow AGAIN.


i am just gonna find some guy switching over to black headlights and selling the OEM's,


sanding off the UV coating and putting on headlight "Sunscreen" just doesnt work.

anything out there, you know of..that you think i should try before i put "headlights" on my Christmas wish list..hate to waste a good wish!

[jcommin]

Vash, I used the one from Maguiars and I'm ok with it. I started with 400 grit wet paper and went to 2000 before I polished it. I did this in early May and it looks good.

[dad911]

I've wetsanded and used standard plastic polish with a buffer. Don't let it get too warm. Not perfect, but not bad.

[mossguy]

Griot's has a nice kit. Works especially well with a random orbit polisher.

[thumbdoctor]

I've had the best results sanding up to 2000 then clear coating the opaque lens. The clear has UV protection in it.

[VINMAN]

Ive had excellent results with just simple ultrafine polishing compound and a buffing wheel. All those headlight kits are BS.

[carambola]

you waxed the headlights after you did the restore, correct?

[redstrosekNic]

I wetsand with 600, 800, 1200, 2000, then polish, then wax. Lasts months, then just keep following up with a good polish and wax every few weeks to keep them clear. Worked on my civic, the gf's corolla, and some others.

[BeyGon]

Here is a guy that seemed to have good luck refinishing his, he put a lot of work into them.

Rejuvenated Headlights

[Baz]

I wet sand mine with 500-501-502-503-504-505-506-507-508------until I get to 3007.....

Works like a charm!

[onewhippedpuppy]

They never look the same, no matter what you do.

[Zeke]

When acrylic lights get yellow and dull they are too far gone to worry about making them perfectly clear and shiny.

Step 1. Take something like a diaper or soft cheesecloth and wipe quickly with lacquer thinner or acetone. Anything in that family, toluene, xylene, etc. They will be half way clear from yellow and the lens will be clear enough to function.

Step 2. Buy new aftermarket lights.

[rusnak]

I just replace the headlights.

Never buy the "oem" special. Go back to the dealer and pay the $$ for the factory original stuff.

[A930Rocket]

I gave up and bought OEM lights. Looks better and if they last 10 years again, I'm happy.

[Steve Carlton]

I can hook you up with someone who does it professionally with a clear coat for $80.

[mikester]

I used the 3M kit on my prius last weekend and it looks tons better but had nothing to put on the lens afterwards to keep it clear. A layer of something needs to be applied to block the stuff that's doing whatever it is that turns the lenses yellow...

[aigel]

This should read:

I'm convinced that today's headlights suck.

Seriously - the old days the lenses were glass - nothing is going to fade those. But then they had to get fancy and cheap at the same time and make them out of plastic. ****ty plastic.

You think the ones on new cars today are better? I sure hope so. My 2008 MS3 had the lenses peel at 3 years old, so they didn't have it down then. How about 2012 and later?

G

[sc_rufctr]

Recently I did my daughters car using a buffing pad and paint cutting/polishing products.
Whenever I read about a "KIT" I get all cynical.

Turned out OK but it won't last.





As they were...

[sc_rufctr]

An older thread of mine.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/587723-how-do-i-fix.html

[Brian 162]

I tried the 3-M kit. A lot of effort that didn't last.
One year later I had to do it again. Someone told me to use toothpaste and an old toothbrush.
It actually worked.
It was with my last vehicle. I think I sprayed a small amount of water on the lens, put the toothpaste on the lens and started brushing. Wipe away and the lens was clear.