Autopia Guide to Headlight Restoration

polisher said:
ok i did a friend healdight today. bought the kit with sandpaper included (2000,3000 and 5000). I did not use any machine equipment.
But i noticed that the passenger side is perfect clear but the driver side esp on the top is still a bit hazy :( . i dont know why. i even did it twice. i mean it worked on passenger side with same method.
I think that haziness is on the inside because when i scratch that area with my fingernail i cannot touch/feel the haze. Hard to explain
So my question can this happen? Any helpful tips?
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Sometimes headlights will get a "belt line" particularly if there is a side that is more exposed to the sunlight. In most cases this can be removed (the oxidation is running a little deeper) by starting with a more aggressive sandpaper (1000 or coarser) until the "belt line" is fully removed.

I suppose it is possible for the stain to be on the inside of the housing, although I have never personally experienced that.
 
Todd Helme said:
Sometimes headlights will get a "belt line" particularly if there is a side that is more exposed to the sunlight. In most cases this can be removed (the oxidation is running a little deeper) by starting with a more aggressive sandpaper (1000 or coarser) until the "belt line" is fully removed.

I suppose it is possible for the stain to be on the inside of the housing, although I have never personally experienced that.
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oh ok. thanks. i bought a fine coarse of 600 and work my way up. will try it later in evening
Also want to ask. what (if any) happens if i just use a 600 followed by a 3000. that huge jump is a problem?
 
polisher said:
oh ok. thanks. i bought a fine coarse of 600 and work my way up. will try it later in evening
Also want to ask. what (if any) happens if i just use a 600 followed by a 3000. that huge jump is a problem?
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You'll never get get 600 grit scratches out with 3k. Anytime I start with 600 I go 1000,1500,3000 after
 
Jsmooth said:
You'll never get get 600 grit scratches out with 3k. Anytime I start with 600 I go 1000,1500,3000 after
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Exactly, 600 will need a couple of steps in between to fully remove the 600 grade marks. Or you could rub with 3000 grit for a VERY LONG time and probably remove them.. tomorrow...
 
so ok i bought those grits and gave it a go. i kept scrubbing for a long time and still after buffing it off it didnt come off :(. And it looks like it from inside . just sad.
 
ya i already saw that. thats the reason i started doing it.
anyways i took a small clip of it. You can see that layer of foggy @ top. and compare to the one left headlamp which is all very clear.
I scrubbed for like 30 mins just with 600 grit. and even while scrubbing i could see that hue layer. :(
And check out the mess i made. So much stuff was coming out

Fog headlight on a Lexus Es300 - YouTube
 
polisher said:
ya i already saw that. thats the reason i started doing it.
anyways i took a small clip of it. You can see that layer of foggy @ top. and compare to the one left headlamp which is all very clear.
I scrubbed for like 30 mins just with 600 grit. and even while scrubbing i could see that hue layer. :(
And check out the mess i made. So much stuff was coming out

Fog headlight on a Lexus Es300 - YouTube
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Wow that sucks... Sorry man... But your headlights look really good other than that! And I'm sure it's a HUGE improvement over what it was! Best of luck
 
yup.it was surely a huge improvement from before. Esp the passenger side. I really like how it turned out. i gotta thank this forum :autopia:
 
bcwang said:
I wonder how well the DP paint coating would work for preventing future hazing.
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While it will slow it down and help reduce sunfade/oxidation, it is designed to be applied to paints. DP Wheel Coating may actually provide more protection, but both will need to be reapplied.
 
Todd Helme said:
While it will slow it down and help reduce sunfade/oxidation, it is designed to be applied to paints. DP Wheel Coating may actually provide more protection, but both will need to be reapplied.
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Reapplied because the UV protection is worn out and can no longer prevent yellowing? Or reapplied because the coating wore off and is no longer there?

What kind of interval of protection can you expect on a headlight before reapplying and do you have to polish away the old coating or can just apply right over it?

Thanks!
 
bcwang said:
Reapplied because the UV protection is worn out and can no longer prevent yellowing? Or reapplied because the coating wore off and is no longer there?

What kind of interval of protection can you expect on a headlight before reapplying and do you have to polish away the old coating or can just apply right over it?

Thanks!
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Both. The UV protection from the factory has worn off so adding a coating will replenish it for the life of the coating. Once the coating has worn away additional protection will be needed.

You can coat over the existing coating provided that the headlight has not begun to yellow/fade but you will want to prep the surface by cleaning it and removing any wax, polish, oil or soap residues. In terms of durability, I am not sure but at least once a year.
 
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