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has anyone done headlight restoration ?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by TacoJenn, Jul 19, 2012.

  1. Jul 19, 2012 at 11:24 AM
    #1
    TacoJenn

    TacoJenn [OP] *~*

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    I put the clear corner lights on and as sick as they look my headlights which were hardly dull are looking quite shabby now. pretty sure I don't want to spend the money for new headlights so has any one tried the plastic wax or stuff they sell or should I get them prof. restored
     
  2. Jul 19, 2012 at 11:28 AM
    #2
    Aw9d

    Aw9d That one guy

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    I use scratch-x and a buffer, looks brand new.
     
  3. Jul 19, 2012 at 11:29 AM
    #3
    Matic

    Matic The "OFG" Baby!!!

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    If you have not already tried using a headlight restore product like 3m or whatever. Try using some mineral spirits.
     
  4. Jul 19, 2012 at 11:32 AM
    #4
    Tacolover443

    Tacolover443 Well-Known Member

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    Ive used the 3M headlight restoration kit and it worked great!
     
  5. Jul 19, 2012 at 11:33 AM
    #5
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    I've done mine twice now.

    The 3M kit (or any for that matter with different levels of grit and a polish) will work great. The only issue is properly sealing them as the final step. The 3M kit does not come with a clear coat/sealer, so the first time I restored my headlights they eventually yellowed/hazed within months.

    This past weekend I restored them again and sprayed on some Blue Magic headlight clear coat/sealer. Only time will tell if it works or not.

    Scroll down to the end of this post for restoration #1:

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/98326-madjik-mans-laugh-him-build.html#post1882210

    Here's restoration #2:

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...djik-mans-laugh-him-build-10.html#post5369127
     
  6. Jul 19, 2012 at 11:48 AM
    #6
    BigJLarse83

    BigJLarse83 Well-Known Member

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    I am a huge fan of the Mother's kit. I've done two different sets of headlights now and they turned out flawless! After the initial buffing you simply reapply the wax every month or so to keep it clear.
     
  7. Jul 19, 2012 at 2:08 PM
    #7
    brianpdx

    brianpdx Well-Known Member

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  8. Jul 19, 2012 at 2:12 PM
    #8
    2004tacoprerunner

    2004tacoprerunner Well-Known Member

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    I used the mothers kit and pretty damn easy.
     
  9. Jul 19, 2012 at 2:15 PM
    #9
    rab89

    rab89 Well-Known Member

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    I did this on my 2001...

    1000 grit wet sand paper,descent amount of pressure, sand sand sand! I went until I was seeing yellow/white water running off the lights.
    2000 grit wet sand paper, again sand sand sand!
    clean with water and dry them, then I used Meguiar's "plastix" with a buffing wheel, the more you sand and buff the nicer they will be, i didnt think to seal mine up, so as the other guys stated I would do that as well.
     
  10. Jul 19, 2012 at 2:21 PM
    #10
    pippen

    pippen that was'nt a vitamin!!

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    So it looks like routine maintenance with keeping them waxed & cleared is every 2-3 months? I might try what rab89 ^ said since I have all that materials except plastix stuff.
     
  11. Jul 19, 2012 at 6:56 PM
    #11
    cfree5119

    cfree5119 Well-Known Member

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    Does anyone know where you can buy the drill wheel attachment to attach the sandpaper to? This makes sanding a dream as well as buffing.
     
  12. Jul 19, 2012 at 7:09 PM
    #12
    SCSPerformance

    SCSPerformance Stealth Custom Series™ Vendor

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    Camburg LT kit DMZ SUA kit SCS wheels Destroyer Gray
    This works great, but I got tired of doing it every 3-4months so I bought a brand new pair off of ebay for $50. It's cheap enough that if they haze up in a year or two, I can just replace them.
     
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  13. Jul 19, 2012 at 9:41 PM
    #13
    TacoJenn

    TacoJenn [OP] *~*

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    just did the mothers kit today, and they came out great!! they are looking almost new, so we'll see how long they last, but being i had the truck for 7 years and they were hardly dull, im hoping it will last more then a couple months
     
  14. Jul 19, 2012 at 10:28 PM
    #14
    06yfz450ridr

    06yfz450ridr Well-Known Member

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    Honestly these kits are nice but i had some isoprop alcohol lying around and gave it a try. Worked pretty well actually
     
  15. Jul 20, 2012 at 12:41 AM
    #15
    NegroTundra

    NegroTundra Well-Known Member

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    For the maintenance, any ole wax will do. Just keep on it as other have said, 2-3 months. Takes all of 3 minutes to apply.
     
  16. Jul 20, 2012 at 5:58 AM
    #16
    Gooch

    Gooch Well-Known Member

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    A wool pad on a buffer with just about any polish will do the trick. I seal mine with the same wax I use on my paint. I do them every 3 years or so.
     
  17. Jul 20, 2012 at 5:59 AM
    #17
    hookedontronics

    hookedontronics Well-Known Member

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    just used the meguirs kit on my car last weekend and it looks brand new
     

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