Sal Lubrano
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Does anyone know of an easy way to restore plastic headlights to a good clear condition. Is it worth the effort or just purchase new cheap china ones?
plastic headlight restore
- Thread starter Sal Lubrano
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I used a kit from 3M - you use your drill and grind the headlight with the supplied abrasive pads down to a polishing compound supplied in the kit - it seems like you are destroying your lights when you do it but you are taking all the film/chips/etc off - looks like new when done. Make sure you mask the car off with painters tape and then duct tape over that - the abrasives will chew up paint.
It may take an hour or two to do but worth it - did it on my wife's '02 Altima and the lights look new
http://3mauto.com/products/headlight-restoration/3m-headlight-lens-restoration-system-39008.html
It may take an hour or two to do but worth it - did it on my wife's '02 Altima and the lights look new
http://3mauto.com/products/headlight-restoration/3m-headlight-lens-restoration-system-39008.html
I did my friends 99 camaro headlights, I started out using 600 grit sandpaper with liquid soap and a bucket of water. Then moved up to 1000 grit
then 1500 grit. Then I buffed it out by hand using some 3M liquid glaze.They came out looking like new! Using the drill to buff it out wouls have been a bit easier.
then 1500 grit. Then I buffed it out by hand using some 3M liquid glaze.They came out looking like new! Using the drill to buff it out wouls have been a bit easier.
You can also use pepsodent (not kidding) instead of the 3M stuff. It's cheap and can be applied directly to the lens and you use a soft cloth to buff it. Just make sure the cloth is wet/damp and rinse once in a while. It also gives the vehicle that "fresh minty" smell. LOL
For them to last, you need to buy new ones. The UV coating has worn off hence the cloudy look.
Billy T.
gnxtc2@aol.com
Billy T.
gnxtc2@aol.com
Sal Lubrano
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I was thinking of clear coating them after refinishing. Really don't want to set up the spray gun just for this. Has anyone clear coated headlights from a rattle can?
turbofrank
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CV Headlight restorer/defogger buy it from advance or Autozone . Easy to use without tools.
I've done this twice now on my 2002 Olds Bravada, for a reason...
The first time I did them, I used the 3M headlight restore kit. Basically, the kit consists of different grades of sandpaper and polisher that are attached to a drill to sand and polish the lens. After I was done with this kit, the lenses did look very nice - very clear and a noticeable improvement in brightness. But, within a month or two, the lenses started to turn yellow again. My Bravada spends most of its life outdoors, so the lenses get a lot of sunlight exposure.
The second time I did them, I did some research and then purchased the Sylvania headlight restore kit. This kit is similar to the 3M kit, with one important difference - the last step is to apply a special chemical that supposedly puts a UV protective layer on the surface of the lenses. It's now been a year since I used the Sylvania kit, and the lenses are still very clear and look like new.
Here is the kit I bought: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429NKWK/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Hope this helps...
The first time I did them, I used the 3M headlight restore kit. Basically, the kit consists of different grades of sandpaper and polisher that are attached to a drill to sand and polish the lens. After I was done with this kit, the lenses did look very nice - very clear and a noticeable improvement in brightness. But, within a month or two, the lenses started to turn yellow again. My Bravada spends most of its life outdoors, so the lenses get a lot of sunlight exposure.
The second time I did them, I did some research and then purchased the Sylvania headlight restore kit. This kit is similar to the 3M kit, with one important difference - the last step is to apply a special chemical that supposedly puts a UV protective layer on the surface of the lenses. It's now been a year since I used the Sylvania kit, and the lenses are still very clear and look like new.
Here is the kit I bought: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429NKWK/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Hope this helps...
I've clearcoated out of a gun and can.The gun with automotive clear looks the best with no orange peel that I was getting out of a can.Also the prep is the most important thing,I usually use a DA sander with 400 grit and make sure you get all of the dead plastic off and they will come out very clear.
williamsGN
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Brasso - metal cleaner
delcowizzid
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cut and polishing compound works a treat
Sal Lubrano
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Went a head and wet sanded them 400, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 and then a polish. WOW!! they look brand new. They came a long way from how bad they looked before I started. Put on a coat of wax for now but I am looking for something to keep them looking good for a while. Thinking 1k or 2k clear but afraid of peeling latter on. Found this http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...eadlight-restoration-new-uv-sealant-idea.html.
What do you think? Any other Ideas?
What do you think? Any other Ideas?
Not sure if you read my post above, but for 20 bucks you could have gotten all of the sandpaper you needed plus the UV protector to keep the lenses looking good. I don't understand the fascination with getting out a spray gun and using paint designed for body panels on a clear plastic headlight lens? 
I can't imagine DuPont ever tested their automotive paints on clear plastic.
Below is a pic of the unwashed headlight from my Bravada about one year after I used the Sylvania kit with the UV protector. Like I said, this vehicle spend 95% of its time outside in the sun. The lens still looks nice and clear. I can even see the spider web in the light (how did he get in there?)
Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app
I can't imagine DuPont ever tested their automotive paints on clear plastic.Below is a pic of the unwashed headlight from my Bravada about one year after I used the Sylvania kit with the UV protector. Like I said, this vehicle spend 95% of its time outside in the sun. The lens still looks nice and clear. I can even see the spider web in the light (how did he get in there?)
Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app
I agree they do look good,but if you do not clear them in this southern heat and sun were I am from they will not hold up.Been there done that.Also there are plenty of plastic/rubber/metal parts that get painted with automotive clear and my time is alot more valuable than sanding on headlights for hours by hand.I can DA and clear a set in about 15 minutes with same results for 2 or 3 bucks.
You can also buy cheap lemon furniture polish from those dollar stores to protect them after your done. Read the ingredients and find one with UV protectant in it. Regular monthly applications will save lenses and interior plastic too without looking greasy and wet.
Mikey
Mikey
