DIY headlight restoration?

Hey all.. the headlights on my 2010 are pretty faded over. Suggestions on a good DIY fix? I dont want to spend the money to replace them..thanks!

 

I had the same problem on my 2009. They were super oxidized. I used McGuire’s Heavy Duty Headlight Restore kit. About $20 to $25 at Walmart and it will do multiple cars. When I got through they were Chrystal clear. Looked like new. That was over 2 years ago and they still are chrystal clear. The secrete to keeping them clear is applying UV protection periodically which comes with the kit. Took about 45 minutes to do both lights. Easy Peazy. There are other good products out there but I think Mcguires is the best. They make at least 2 different kits, be sure to get the one that is the heavy duty kit. When you do them post a pic of before and after.

 

I've been looking for a headlight restoration kit myself. One of my lights is slowly showing some haze near the orange/amber day time running lights. Think I am going to go with this:

3M Headlight Restoration Kit, Simple Process to Restore Cloudy & Dull Headlights, Hand Application, 1 Kit (39084)

https://www.amazon.com/3M-39084-Hea...adlight+restoration+kit&psc=1#customerReviews

 

i used the turtle wax kit on my 05
had 2 diff abrasive pads and a clear sealer for when done
I used painters tape on the fenders so i didn't scratch them
worked great

 

$16 Turtle Wax T-43 (2-in-1) Headlight Cleaner and Sealant - 9 oz. , Green

https://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Wax-H...pID=41u1ewOMuuL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Been using the same bottle for 5 years. 8 bucks. All you need is this and rags.

 

I use this, awesome results

 

This is the one I used

$10 Turtle Wax T-240KT Headlight Lens Restorer Kit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TI5IIQ/ref=psdc_2687788011_t1_B00A9T28S4

 

Good post. You can also buy the headlight protectant separately. As mentioned continually reapplying this UV stabilizer is what keeps the lights clear. Sanding the lens surface removes the OEM UV stabilizing coating causing rapid oxidation if they are recoated. The coating is a maintenance item, not an apply and forget solution.

 

crashnburn80 is spot on regarding the UV protectant. It should be a routine maintenance thing. There are several UV protectants out there and some supposedly are good for a year. I don’t trust going a year or longer. What ever one you use I would apply it at least twice a year. Add it to your maintenance program and you’ll have clear headlight lens for a long time

 

As mentioned above, suggested by a bodyshop guy I know and tried first hand is to sand down with high number sand paper, 1500/2000, then clear coat it. That will do it. The oxidation won't come back. I've used all those products suggested and the suggested route of sandpaper and clear is a final fix. Suggest Laminix plastic headlight protectant as well and you won't have to do maintenance on the headlights any more.

 

Here’s a pic of one of my headlights today after using Mcguires heavy duty head light restore about 2 1/2 years ago. I just put UV protectant on periodically and they stay clear as when they were new. Before I used Mcguires they were grossly oxidized. 2 1/2 years later looking good.

 

I used the Sylvania kit after it was recommended on here. About eight months in they still look good (I'd still rather have glass headlights than plastic though).

$22 SYLVANIA - Headlight Restoration Kit - 3 Easy Steps to Restore Sun Damaged Headlights With Exclusive UV Block Clear Coat, Light Output and Beam Pattern Restored, Long Lasting Protection

https://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-HRK..._rd_wg=iXGb7&refRID=H6WTKHY5SEZAW50CMJJB&th=1

 

That's kinda the system I use on the Auto Dealership lots … Mine is wet sand with 1000 2000 and last is the 3000 than I clear it with 2 stage clear (same clear I use when I do bumper repair and blends) … when they are really ate up I'll start with 800 first.

 

Bringing this thread back to life lol. I’ve heard that clear coating after a restoration is a permanent fix as well but not sure what type of clear coat is best for the plastic lenses. Any suggestions?

 

On one car, I sanded and then sprayed automotive UV-resistant clearcoat. I didn't keep that car long enough to find out how it held up.
Then on another car, a professional was in the area and offered to squeeze me in for an appointment to refinish my headlights for only $20, using what he said was a high quality clearcoat and air spray-gun. Sounded good.
Looked good too.
Until after a month or so, that clearcoat started peeling.
I remember seeing him do the work and he seemed in a rush, yet still professional. So I don't know exactly what caused this, or if me driving home after the spraying (it was tacky) had anything to do with it.
Come to think of it, I may have driven home while it was still light out, and thus kept the headlights in the trunk because of this. I don't remember.

These experiences make me still unsure of what's the best solution out of the many choices.
I will tell you this though. As for UV protectant coatings, one I've heard of is Opti-Lens. I just never bought any because it's expensive and I didn't refinish mine yet.

I may try that though. A restoration kit from the auto parts store that people use, plus something like Opti-Lens after.
Just need to figure out which drill to buy first because I have none at the moment. (Harbor Freight vs DeWalt vs Ryobi, etc.)
to operate a restoration kit, at least if they come with one of those drill attachment PowerBall polishing bits.

I think I threw away or sold my old FireStorm (Black & Decker) cordless drill (said to be shitty, but it worked) and corded DeWalt drill
now a regretted mistake.
As they say,
"In life, one thing to never get rid of is your tools"

 

I clear coated the lenses on my NB Miata. I mixed the clear coat and sprayed them. The car has been sitting outside and the lenses are perfectly clear. If you don't have the equipment, the mixture is the key. The stuff in the aerosol cans is not of the type of quality that will last. A suggestion is go to a body shop supply store. Have them mix up the smallest quantity good quality clear coat. Buy from them or someone else one of those small quantity vials with the aerosol that you screw to the top of the vial. Sand, clean and paint the lenses.

 

After cleaning the haze / yellow, I just use pre-cut PPF film kits, lasts forever, applies like window tint - very easy. Plus a little extra protection from rock chips.

 

I would wet sand/polish/seal. There are some good youtube videos

 

Tried this one last weekend on mine and a buddy's Tacoma. 2013 and 2014 years..... headlights look good as new!!

 

If you want it to last you need to put a protectant on it. I use Meguiars headlight coating. Spray it on once or twice a year and your lights will look like new for years.