Buffing Headlights

Is it true you can remove your headlights and buff them to get the hazing/fogging out? Mine are far from clear and not only does it look bad, it makes it difficult to see at night, they're not NEAR as bright as i'd like em. If not does anyone have a reccomendation for nice bright head/tail lights?

 

you can remove em or leave em in...what ever is easier for you. You can get the rubbing compound from any auto zone or checker. just get an electric orbital buffer and go nuts

 

you can take them out or leave them in.....like Scott said...whatever is easier for you. i have tried a few of the headlight restore kits......the mothers kit was ok. i usually just use my powerball mini/cordless drill and some scratch-x or normal car polish...works decently. im gonna try the new kit that chip foose was advertising tho.

 

What if you have fog inside?

 

yes, they can make a very shitty looking used light look close to new. I use an expensive 50$ set of wax for this but I think the trick is really in the power of your buffer. Mine works best using my Portacable professional buffer, it really needed the extra power to make them look like new.

 

the key is to pop the back off and let all the moisture evaporate out and then properly seal it with a clear silicone based sealer, like a clear window caulk or something...something thats non cracking and moisture resistant

 

3M makes a nice kit that comes with sand paper to attach to a drill to wet sand with several different grits and finish with a rubbing compound. It works really well. Probably one of the best kits out there IMO.

 

yep...thats a great kit, but you really need to use it with an electric plug in type drill. i did it with my cordless, and it was only so so.

 

I got a a brand I tryed, but I just used elbow grease and it didnt do great. This summer Im ganna have to get the Power Ball buffer, Ive been putting it off for too long.

 

If you leave the headlights in, be sure to tape off the surrounding painted surfaces so you don't jack up your paint while buffing.

You may also have luck with a hair dryer or careful use of a heat gun... if the moisture got in then it should have a way to get out once it's vapor. Heating the air inside causes it to expand which will push most of it out of whatever crack let it get in. Afterward, re-seal to keep more moisture out.

 

I left my lights in. Just use painters tape around the edges. I bought a 3M kit from Autozone for $20.00. Use a drill and follow the three very easy steps. Just make sure you don't apply too much pressure or it will create a lot of heat. It works great

 

I agree. I had fantastic results with the 3M kit.

In fact last night was the first night I had the Tacoma out driving since restoring the headlights and the difference was ridiculous.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/98107-headlight-restoration-2.html#post1882043

Just follow the directions that comes with it and go light-to-medium on the pressure you apply and your lights will look/be like brand new.

I highly recommend doing a final treatment (after washing the headlights) of 303 protectant (or the likes) on the lenses to help protect it from the UV. I also 303 the headlights every time I wash the truck

 

pop em off and get them re-clearcoated i tried most kits mothers , 3m, meguires some work better than others but they all dull out after a while and look bad it cost me like 60 bucks and after 2 yrs they still look great

 

I guess Im cheap, I always just use metal polish to clean my headlights, never-dull and mothers does wonders with just a rag and some elbow grease!

 

Or you could do this shit the easy way and get some brand spanking new headlights

 

I like to put a few coats of clear coat on my headlights after you buff them good. No more yellowing or hazing, only problem you can have after that is moisture on the inside of the light. I bought cheap headlamps.


Just make sure to give it an even coat or with too many coats you can hinder the light more than help. Mine have been perfect for a few years now.

 

I used Kit scratch out! Worked perfect and it was 2.49 at walmart!
So I am guessing that any scratch remover will work just as good.

 

If you get it done, I would also seal it w/ a sealant. If not, it won't last long until you have to do it again.

 

Worked amazing! I got before and after pics

 

Use 1000 or 2000 grit wet sandpaper to sand the plastic and then buff it with headlight restorer. It did wonders on our head lamps.