Headlight Restoration

I used this kit last night and got pretty good results. Only sketchy step is the sealer step... do not go back and re-swipe any spots, it'll leave lines. Luckily I lightly did it and the sealer leveled off on it's own leaning no run marks. For 25 bucks @ walmart and it to come out this clear I'd highly recommend this kit...

 

Before and after pics... this is coming from a 08 as well... hand buffing wasnt cutting it anymore.

 

Nice job! I used the same kit you used and think it’s the best (personal opinion). Be sure to use Meguiars clear coat , otherwise the lights will re oxidize in a couple months. I did mine over 3 years and the clear coat keeps them looking like new.

 

@Sprig I did use the clear sealant that came in the kit (comes in a amber glass bottle), but were you referring to an additional type of clear coat?

I was actually think of sending a DM on Instagram to mcguires to see if there is anything else I should put on them to slow the process down more ...

 

Here’s what I use. It says apply once a year but I apply it every 6 months.

 

I saw this in there 2 step kit... how does this apply? (How bad is the overspray)

 

Easy peasy to use. Mask tape around the lights. Spray it on as you would a can of spray paint. Sweeping back and forth motions, keep it moving. I’ve had no problems applying it. Takes me 15 to 20 minutes to mask and spray both lights.

 

Great results

 

FYI

I got a hold of one of the mcguires guys and he told me that if I was able to get these kind of results with with this kit I could have gone one step further (as far as polishing) and used a foam applicator on a drill and used rubbing compound as my last cutting polish and it would have made them even more clear. I asked him why is that not an option on the kit and he informed me that this kit is made specifically for the DIY guy in mind, gives great results for the price. And this is just as added step they teach actual pro detailers. He informed me that the more steps as far as polishing, the clearer the plastic lens becomes. He also did mention the same spray @Sprig mentioned above as a way to keep yellowing away with recommending it be applied a minimum of 1 time per year but also told me to prep it with the Mcguires plastic x first to achieve the best results with the spray (he emphasized it as the prep and cleaning prior to sealing).

 

Just wanted to drop some new info...

I used the Cerokote Headlight Resoration Kit today.

Almost the same amount of preparation, however, since this one is a straight ceramic coating there is more attention to detail (typical with ceramic coatings). Below are my before and afters of Cerakote ...

- Mcguires in my opinion is easier to use for the first time novice user. There's more room for error that can be easily patched up where as the Cerakote if there are impertfections you don't notice them until it's too late. (There are some light splotches/spottyness on the very top, this kind of goes back to you don't see the small impertfections until its too late)

- Cerakotes step 3 is wayyyy easier to use than the final step on the Mcguire big kit I used.

Before Cerakote headlight restoration kit





After...



I'll try to reply back after a while to see how long this lasts.

 

It sounds like you're spraying too close to the lens. If you tape/drape the area around and spray from farther back in multiple light coats, you may have better luck.

 

I see a lot of the restorations are wipe on. Will you usually get a better result from a product that uses a drill?

 

I second this product.

Used it on a different vehicle and my before/after results were literally like the front of the box. Looked brand new again. I'm sure similar methods/products give similar results though.

The drill aspect makes it so much quicker and easier. I can't imagine doing this type of restoration by hand without a drill attachment of some sort.

 

Looks great yet. When I was building my house, I had an F250(ended up moving & building 2 houses out it). Since the first day I owned it, I thought of where & how I parked it...............Always facing North, headlights always in the shade. When I sold it after 14 yrs. Headlights still looked good, except the very top angle. Did the same with the first of 3 used 2nd Gen Tacos. But the 3rd & last one 2014 came from north FL, & looked bad from the day I bought it. I just had a bulb go out, so replaced with LEDs & had the dealer do the lens. I have that factory bug guard & nerve damage to Rt arm. So not to take the chance of catching it, & snap it off, I had the dealer do the lights with their kit. Does look like there is something sprayed on them.

 

Did the cerakote kit have the chemical wipes to remove yellowing/oxidation as well as the sand paper? If so, how well did you notice the chemical remove the yellowing?

 

I’m doing the BHLM mod and restoring my headlights again now after using the turtle wax kit a year ago. The clear coat that the wipe applicators in the kit provided has already failed and the plastic lens has started to yellow. I’m using the 3m kit with the drill adapter but I’m going to use a 2k aerosol clear coat from spray max to seal once finished. I’ll post the final result once finished but I can say that sanding the lenses when the lights are off the vehicle is not ideal

 

Wet sand with 400 and get some 2k clear.

 

Did you use a headlight/polycarbonate specific clear?

 

Need to do this

 

Sam's Clubs in California will do it for $50. They did a great job on my other cars.

https://www.samsclub.com/p/standard-headlight-restoration-service/prod7800018