Headlight restoration

[Detailr]

Here is some before and after pictures of some headlight restoration.

[Greg Nichols]

Explain your process please.

Also explain how you delt with the UV protection issue.

Cheers,

[Detailr]

The process that I used was this:

1000 grit 3M sand paper
2000 grit 3M sand paper
Car Care Rx Extreme Cutting Compound with an Edge Black wool pad
Car Care Rx Medium Cutting Compound with an Edge Yellow foam pad
Car Care Rx The Polish with an Edge Green foam pad
Car Care Rx Paste Wax

[MrRumble]

Looks much much better, definitely better than forking out $$ for a "new" replacement in this case.

[RitcheyRch]

HUGE improvement.

[Greg Nichols]

Originally Posted by Detailr

The process that I used was this:

1000 grit 3M sand paper
2000 grit 3M sand paper
Car Care Rx Extreme Cutting Compound with an Edge Black wool pad
Car Care Rx Medium Cutting Compound with an Edge Yellow foam pad
Car Care Rx The Polish with an Edge Green foam pad
Car Care Rx Paste Wax

I understand everything up to the waxing of the lights, from what I've read wax can/will cause the lenses to re-yellow. I've heard you MUST use a product that actually adds UV protectants that penetrates into the plastic.

The idea is that the UV protectants are in the upper part of the plastic, much like in the clear coat and when you sand the plastic you remove that UV and it must be reapplied.

I'm still learning about this process so will others chime in on this claim and any experience.

cheers,
GREG

[Holden_C04]

It looks great. I'm not sure if it's just the camera, but could the finish be a bit sharper though? Like I said, could be just an out of focus shot.

Maybe add an extra final polish?

[Detailr]

I have never heard of wax actually harming the lights. I have been waxing my plastic headlights and tail lights for years and have never had a problem with them going yellow on me. IMO waxing helps put oils back into the plastics and keeps them from oxidizing and fading. I could be wrong but keeping them waxed has always worked well for me.

[Detailr]

Originally Posted by Holden_C04

It looks great. I'm not sure if it's just the camera, but could the finish be a bit sharper though? Like I said, could be just an out of focus shot.

Maybe add an extra final polish?

these headlights had a slight haze on the inside of the lights that I could not do much about. That is probably what you see in the picture.

[Flashtime]

I've polished out many headlights but they all fade over a short period of time.
Once the protective coating is gone it can only last for so long. Now, i just sand
and clear them. Simple process.

P400 > P800 > P1000 > scuff > 2-3 coats of clear:



The inside of these headlights are dull (probaly due to bad seals). But after
clearing, the outside is about 95% clearer. Considerably better.




There are 2K aerosol clears available for DIYers (SprayMax). And a 1K aerosol
clear by SEM (Solaray UV Headlight Repair). Either should offer much better UV
protection than any wax. I don't use aerosols but these should be fine.

[Holden_C04]

Originally Posted by Detailr

these headlights had a slight haze on the inside of the lights that I could not do much about. That is probably what you see in the picture.

Sounds like the seal was broken. Almost impossible to fix permanently w/o replacement.

[Flashtime]

Detailr,

Try starting with courser grits. 3M recommends P400 to remove any traces of
the broken down coating.