Older 2nd gen: has anyone successfully polished back their hazy yellowing headlights?

If the headlights are badly UV damage, plus yellowing. You have to look for crazing, micro fracture cracks in the headlights plastic.

I like the Meguiar's heavy duty headlight restoration kit (

$65 G2980 Meguiar's Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit, Car Headlight Cleaner and Restorer

G2980) better, out of the kits I tried.

 

I don't remember if it was this forum or somewhere else but I googled it and figured I would give it a try
https://www.google.com/search?q=doe...50l8.1449702468j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

When I turned on the lights this morning those were visible but in the off position they look really damn good

Plus I already have a new set of new OEM lights and fiqured I had nothing to lose by trying

 

I just picked up a pair a few days for free that were faded, been doing my best and I can't seem to get them like new, they're still some fading. I think after letting them go for to long then there is only so much that can be done.

 

I think you are right, though I have done a few that I had to sand with 500 or 800 for a while to get the yellowed plastic removed and down to clear plastic.

 

If you planning on using PPF to protect the new headlight, now would be a good time to installed the PPF. It might be easier off the truck.

 

Great results with this one.

$18 CERAKOTE® Ceramic Headlight Restoration Kit – Guaranteed To Last As Long As You Own Your Vehicle – Brings Headlights Back to Like New Condition - No Power Tools Required - 10 Wipe Kit

CERAKOTE Ceramic Headlight...

 

I polished mine and they both turned out better than good. A few months after, the right lens cracked, vertically. Don't know why, I don't recall hearing anything hit the truck and then I'm not sure if you would hear something hit a headlight lens.
I ordered a set of Anzo headlight assemblies from Rockauto which turned out to be a nightmare. The light output wasn't as expected and the fit was terrible. The last time I had anything fit that bad it was a '67 VW Bug muffler which you had to hammer and pry into place. Ended up going back to stock.

 

I do this to my headlights about twice a year on my 09. I start by wet sanding them starting with 600 grit working up to 2500 grit. Then I buff them with a buffer using Meguiars rubbing compound and finish with Meguiars polish and a coat of spray wax.

 

I recently replaced my headlights and noticed both had a vertical crack just off center. When I saw the first one I just assumed a random branch was sticking out on a fire road I was driving down way too fast, but then I noticed that both were that way. Didn't make sense.

 

This! Also had great results!

 

I also noticed during the winter when it would snow or ice overnight, the coating made the ice come off easier.

 

Ive worked in a bodyshop for the last 10 years and have had lotttts of headlights come by.. either start with a cutting compound if they arent too bad. If they are then we wet sand them down with 1000p sandpaper up to 2k or 3k paper wet. Then if you dont burn through the uv layer they can be polished up. Or just 600p to 800p sand paper and just use some clear coat.. since it already has a uv protection in it. The short of it is talk to your local bodyshop. They also make a headlight clearing kit.

 

We’ll see how long it lasts

 

Bg makes a good kit for polishing headlights, and it comes with a clear/seal coat

 

I just bought this kit. We’ll see how it turns out. Your headlights look good.

 

I used the same last April (2021) ... looks incredible ... noticed they are beginning to fade once again.

 

Thanks, but I’m curious how long it will last…

 

Same

 

From what I can tell, most people who get that product get fading within almost a year. That's the common consensus from my bit of reading when I was trying to find a product to protect headlights.