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tips for restoring headlights

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Taco-Dazed, Jul 30, 2010.

  1. Jul 30, 2010 at 6:15 PM
    #1
    Taco-Dazed

    Taco-Dazed [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Just wondering what techniques you guys use to get light scratches and oxidation/haze off your headlight lenses.
     
  2. Jul 31, 2010 at 11:54 AM
    #2
    Taco-Dazed

    Taco-Dazed [OP] Well-Known Member

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    actually ended up using mothers headlight restore kit, came with the polish and a buffer pad which you attach to a drill. worked very well if anyone else is thinking of cleaning up their headlights i'd recommend it.
     
  3. Jul 31, 2010 at 12:11 PM
    #3
    straycat241

    straycat241 maXXXed out mid travel

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    nice! what is the cost of this treatment?
     
  4. Jul 31, 2010 at 12:24 PM
    #4
    Taco-Dazed

    Taco-Dazed [OP] Well-Known Member

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    They had it on sale at kragen for 17.99 it usually runs about 25.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Jul 31, 2010 at 1:09 PM
    #5
    Viet2100

    Viet2100 Well-Known Member

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  6. Jul 31, 2010 at 4:53 PM
    #6
    yosh2000

    yosh2000 Well-Known Member

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    ^ x2

    i used the 3m headlight restore kit...excellent. took out rock pics from my fogs! it comes w/ an attachment for a drill. you then use 600 grit, 1000 grit, 3000 grit, and finally a polish...take your time and it will come out just as new!
     
  7. Jul 31, 2010 at 4:59 PM
    #7
    iSTIZO99

    iSTIZO99 Well-Known Member

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    That's good to know. Last weekend I was driving down the highway and a piece of tire debris got kicked up by the car in front of me and scuffed my right headlight a bit. It's not that noticeable but to me it sticks out like a sore thumb. I'm gonna give one of these kits a try.
     
  8. Jul 31, 2010 at 5:03 PM
    #8
    yosh2000

    yosh2000 Well-Known Member

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    FYI, if you have a scuff, the 3m kit will be the only one that works because it has sandpaper attachments. like i said, it complete restored my fogs that had a ton of rock pitting on them. the mothers kit is only a light polish, which will most likely not get the scuffs out.
     
  9. Jul 31, 2010 at 5:07 PM
    #9
    iSTIZO99

    iSTIZO99 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the heads up...I'll look for that 3M kit.
     
  10. Jul 31, 2010 at 5:12 PM
    #10
    TheOtherGuy

    TheOtherGuy Well-Known Member

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    I just did the headlights on my sisters 1998 lexus by using 2000 grit wet sand paper and mothers plastic polish and they turned out great. I wish I would have taken before and after pics because I amazed myself with the difference.
     
  11. Jul 31, 2010 at 5:15 PM
    #11
    86ceeten

    86ceeten Well-Known Member

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    Nope, the Mothers headlight restore kit has 4 different grades of wet/dry sanding sponges in it.
     
  12. Jul 31, 2010 at 6:30 PM
    #12
    Taco-Dazed

    Taco-Dazed [OP] Well-Known Member

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    x2
     
  13. Jul 31, 2010 at 6:34 PM
    #13
    HondaGM

    HondaGM CallSign Monke

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    [​IMG]BG headlight restoration kit
     
  14. Jul 31, 2010 at 7:10 PM
    #14
    yosh2000

    yosh2000 Well-Known Member

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    correct, but you have to use those by hand no? w/ the 3m kit, every grade of sandpaper attached to the drill mount(there is velcro on the backside of every grade), so you sand w/ the drill...MUCH better then by hand IMO.
     
  15. Dec 15, 2010 at 1:14 PM
    #15
    MadeInMaine

    MadeInMaine MadeInMaine

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    The 3M kit, can you get that at a walmart? Or is it a pepboys kinda thing?
     
  16. Dec 15, 2010 at 1:34 PM
    #16
    Thucker

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    I've always used 1000, 1500, then 2000 grit sand paper. Wet sand the plastic, then use some 3M rubbing compound.
     
  17. Dec 15, 2010 at 1:36 PM
    #17
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    if lights arent too bad......ialways use my mothers powerball mini and some plast-x...then go over with some normal polish. keeps them good and clean. any worse than normal...one of the actual kits is needed.....and its best to use a corded drill. i tried once with one of the kits and my cordless, but the rpms werent exactly right. still did ok tho.
     
  18. Dec 15, 2010 at 2:19 PM
    #18
    Chris(NJ)

    Chris(NJ) Well-Known Member

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    Mods are currently being changed .....
    I think I just posted this in another thread, but after using numerous different techniques, the best I've found so far is from uglyheadlights.com
    Uses a wetsanding process like others, but the final coating is what sets it apart. A lot of kits, the yellowing/hazing will return, but the lights I've done w/ this kit have lasted over a year (as of now) w/o out any sign of the problems returning.
     

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