Restoring Headlights worth it or not?

I have read a lot of posts about folks restoring their head lamps to like new. Well I tried out my first of two applciations. The first one was the 3m headlight kit. It included three different types of sanding levels and one polish. I cleaned the lense as inidcated then tried the three sanding pads as posted. The final step was the polsih. Two batteries later I have one light complete. So I put it to you... worth it or not?

Before


after.


Should I have just spent the cash on two new head lamps for $140 bucks instead of the hour and $20 bucks?

 

Hecke no! Why waste that kind of money? An hour really isn't that much

 

These kits rarely bring headlights back to like-new condition, but it certainly made an improvement in your case. Money and time well-spent IMO.

 

Looks like some pretty decent results for an hour. If you spent another hour they would look perfect. $20 isn't that bad.

 

Better than before. But, you should look on Craiglist for your local posting. There should be some guy that would do it for around $60 and warrant it for the life of the headlamp.

 

i used 1000 grit wet, 2000 grit wet,(sand until your arm is sore, i did about 10 min per grit per light) and then meguiars plastix, they look AMAZING

 

wish they just made them out of glass...

 

I have been reading and people see better results when using a non battery powered Drill. THey get higher RPM's....

But that is just want I have been reading.
The results you have are worth it for $20 spent.

 

Totally worth it.

I use some Polishing compound and Plastix to clean my wifes lenses up.

 

That is definitely worth the $20. I need to do mine before I get inspected this month

 

it is a good idea but it dosent last that long you could also sand them and put an automotive clear cote on them it will last longer it costs a little more but it is better than polishing them every so often

 

x2. My 89 corolla's headlights are crystal clear after 20 years of neglect. One of them does have a rock chip, though....


My Taco's lights were real bad, so for $8 I bought blue magic that took me 30 mins to apply and they look real good now. I have enough solution to last me through maybe 8 more pairs of headlights, as well. Worth it.

 

I used the same 3m kit that you did from Napa and I thought it was well worth it.

 

I used the 3m kit on my 2002 and they came out crystal clear. My son used it on his 98 and his headlight lens had 3 clear nipples on lens that stick out and chewed up the sanding disks and buffing disk and didn't come out as good as mine but still alot better that what he had before...

 

that happened to me on my mustang...i ended up buying another kit when i sold it so they looked good as new...but i dont doubt that they will be cloudy/yellow in about 6 months..

 

although it definitely depends on how far gone the lens is i started mine last night, with a 3M kit, that utilizes a drill and i kinda hurried through the first lens, but it still came out better, ill re do and do the other one here today and try to get pics up


Ryan