Headlight restore

[jdsnc82]

I have been trying alot of different headlight restore kits and i found one that works great! Its the turtle wax kit from auto zone. It damn near put my headlights back to new in one use.

[LetItSnow]

I think a lot of products work great, but it would be nice to sort out which one lasts.

[StatGSR]

what grit of sandpapers does it use?

iv always just done it with great success with various wet sanding paper (400 - 2000) and some 3m rubbing compound.

one of my before and afters on my integra corner lights. i didn't even go up to 2000 grit with these, and the buffing was done by hand.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y105/StatGSR/DSC01068sm.jpg


Rob, as far as what lasts it depends what you use to protect the lens over time. any wax or polish will disappear over time leaving the plastic exposed to the elements once again.

I just don't think that most kits include a lower enough grit to actually work out the larger nicks and dings in the lens. I have started with 400 and or lower on lens restoration.

[Huskymaniac]

Just bought this. I like the combination of items in the product. I will report back on my experiences.

[Manarius]

I used the Turtle Wax Kit. In 6 months they were back to being yellow. I think the key here is that clear coat is necessary to stave off the yellowing. Clear Coat turns 6 months until yellowing into 2+ years.

[Huskymaniac]

I used the Turtle Wax Kit. In 6 months they were back to being yellow. I think the key here is that clear coat is necessary to stave off the yellowing. Clear Coat turns 6 months until yellowing into 2+ years.

That is true of any restoring product. The question is, how much does it cost and how easy is it to use. This one seems like a good product.

I wonder if a coating of high quality wax will protect the headlights. I will finish my restore with a coating of Collinite.

[StatGSR]

^ yes consistent waxing will keep the lens surface protected.

[Huskymaniac]

Gave this a try today. I will say that I could still see surface scratches after going through the 4 stages of grit and the polishing compound. On the second headlight I skipped the coarsest grit and the results were better. Perhaps there is too much of a jump from the coarsest and the second coarsest grit. I did like that the kit came with a clear coat finish of sorts. You just wipe it on and let it cure. I will top that with Collinite tomorrow. For the price, this seems to do a decent enough job. But my lights weren't that bad and skipping the coarse grits would have been OK for me.

[sd2649]

How much is this kit? Walmart does this as a service for around 30-40 bucks and it lasted me a good year before fading. I watched them do it and it was 3 levels of wet sanding and a clear coat wiped on.

[SilverSpear]

The quality plastic of the SVX headlights is prone to fading whatever you do.
Now I have the "German" glass headlights, but if I were to stick with the plastic ones I would do this:

1- Make one pass with a 800 sand paper;
2- Spray 5~6 layers of clearcoat;
3- Let them bake in the sun for few days;
4- Use a 1500 sand paper to get rid of impurities;
5- Leave in the sun for another day;
6- Polish.

;)

[michael]

I just picked up the 3m headlight restoration kit and I have to say I'm impressed. It took a while but I think this is awesome If you have poly lenses this is a must have, you almost can't screw up.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/subarusvxlsl/PhotoNov2035705PM.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/subarusvxlsl/PhotoNov2035639PM.jpg

[Sean486]

Finally broke down and purchased a 3M Kit for $22. It is the one that goes on the drill. I had been polishing them with various plastic polishes and kits, but I was never able to fully get rid of the yellowishness, so I hope that this will take finally take care of them.

I was wondering a few things for those of you who have used it. Should I remove the headlights from the car first, and should I spray them with clear coat when done? Does anybody know if I be able to use the same kit on 2 sets of headlights?

[icingdeath88]

Finally broke down and purchased a 3M Kit for $22. It is the one that goes on the drill. I had been polishing them with various plastic polishes and kits, but I was never able to fully get rid of the yellowishness, so I hope that this will take finally take care of them.

I was wondering a few things for those of you who have used it. Should I remove the headlights from the car first, and should I spray them with clear coat when done? Does anybody know if I be able to use the same kit on 2 sets of headlights?

You will have a much easier time of working with them if you take the headlights off the car. A clear coat would be a great idea, but I don't know what kind is the right kind to use. 1 kit might be enough for 2 cars, but it will be kinda close. Probably will depend on how bad they are.

[bishop]

i used the turtle wax kit and it improved a lot from what it was but not as much as i would have liked.

[Sean486]

Does anyone have a clearcoat brand recommendation?

[SilverSpear]

Does anyone have a clearcoat brand recommendation?

I am wondering if an anti-UV clear tint has the same effect as a clearcoat...
Any ideas?

[SoobCrazy]

Consumer Reports rated the 3M kit the highest of the three resotration kits they used.

[dbarnblatt]

You can avoid buying the kits altogether by just getting some 1500, 2000, and 2500 grit sandpaper and then finishing off with some Meguiar's Plastic Polish.

Start of 1500, go to the 2000, then 2500, then use the plastic polish on a random orbital polisher to finish it off.

A lot less money (I think I spent $15 for the sand paper and the polish) and you can do multiple cars with supplies left over to do tail lights, corner light etc.

[Sean486]

I'm ordering a sheet of Lamin-x film to put over them for when they are done. I was searching the net for a UV clear coat paint but there doesn't seem to be a good one to use.

[icingdeath88]

I'm ordering a sheet of Lamin-x film to put over them for when they are done. I was searching the net for a UV clear coat paint but there doesn't seem to be a good one to use.

That seems like a good idea. Where did you order it from?

[Sean486]

That seems like a good idea. Where did you order it from?

I haven't actually ordered it yet, but I will be ordering it right off the site. They don't have it precut for our cars like they do for some other makes, but I figure 2 8" x 16" sheets will work.

I am just going to order the clear although I was considering the smoked.

http://www.lamin-x.com/Two-Universal-8x16-Lamin-x-Covers-p/2-816.htm

[bwb3]

Just don't do what I did. Tried to precut shape, with backing on, over a spare set of headlights. The lens curve really throws off what is a basically a simple parallelogram shape. Now I need to reorder, install, and then cut after all is right.:(
Gene

[Sean486]

Just don't do what I did. Tried to precut shape, with backing on, over a spare set of headlights. The lens curve really throws off what is a basically a simple parallelogram shape. Now I need to reorder, install, and then cut after all is right.:(
Gene

Gene,
So what is your plan, are you just going to put it on oversized with the heat gun then trim it down?

[bwb3]

So what is your plan, are you just going to put it on oversized with the heat gun then trim it down?

That's it. I am going to start with a hair dryer but, I do have a true automotive heat gun (or I should say my son does). I was initially afraid of stray cut marks on the lens and less than prefect edges. Would you recommend masking tape and an artist's Exacto razor knife?. Material wise, will also plan for one more failure since I am all thumbs.:o

Gene

[Sean486]

That's it. I am going to start with a hair dryer but, I do have a true automotive heat gun (or I should say my son does). I was initially afraid of stray cut marks on the lens and less than prefect edges. Would you recommend masking tape and an artist's Exacto razor knife?. Material wise, will also plan for one more failure since I am all thumbs.:o

Gene

Yeah the Exacto was my plan as well, I am going to try to find a flexible metal straight edge to run the knife against. Trim as close to the edge as I can. How hard could it be? What mil thickness are you getting? By the way what size sheets did you originally order?

[icingdeath88]

I ordered a pair of 20 mil 8x16" sheets. Hoping it will be enough to do both the headlights and turn signals. If this stuff is anything like vinyl, it will be much easier to do than my carbon fiber wrap on the interior was, since the headlights are a big, mostly flat surface.

I'll probably take off the headlights, polish them, wrap the film past the edges on each side, and cut off the excess leaving ~1cm on the sides.

[bwb3]

I purchased mine from X-PEL.com and it was 30 mil. Lamin-X.com looks like a better deal and maybe easier to work with.
Gene

[fzftw]

This was developed by a local friend of a friend. Easy, works great, cheap, lasts forever.

http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/images/product/satlrk1.jpg

http://youtu.be/A7UYfa9JnNM

[Sean486]

This was developed by a local friend of a friend. Easy, works great, cheap, lasts forever.


I doubt that.

[fzftw]

It has a lifetime warranty. I haven't kept a vehicle long enough to personally see the results but we have customers who have had it done years ago and they still look the same.

[**Ewie**]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.... thanks GOD for glass headlights :D

[Sean486]

It has a lifetime warranty. I haven't kept a vehicle long enough to personally see the results but we have customers who have had it done years ago and they still look the same.

Well maybe I'll give it a try if my current plan doesn't work out. The Youtube video is pretty impressive.

[Sean486]

Used my 3M Kit today and topped it off with the Lamin-x 20-Mil Clear. Hopefully the end of my yellowing issues. It protects them not by blocking UV but by cutting off oxygen so that they can not oxidize, and by protecting from the sandblasting of rocks, dirt and roadsalt. At least that is my understanding. Worth a try anyhow.


Before , not too bad, clear but yellow.
http://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu170/sean486/IMG_1745.jpg
http://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu170/sean486/IMG_1753.jpg


Sanding
http://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu170/sean486/IMG_1746.jpg
Left Side Sanded
http://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu170/sean486/IMG_1750.jpg


Comparison
http://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu170/sean486/IMG_1758.jpg/IMG_1757.jpg[/IMG]
Right Side Done
http://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu170/sean486/IMG_1759.jpg

Lamin-X Installed - You really can't see it in person either, but they look good.
http://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu170/sean486/IMG_1751.jpg
http://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu170/sean486/IMG_1760.jpg

[Sean486]

Update, a couple spots are a little cloudy, the directions say that can be normal if a little moisture is trapped, and it should disappear in a few days. The clarity is great and the film has a nice shine to it. I am really hoping the the extra cost is worth it. FYI, installation on these headlights is very easy. Icing I don't think you will have enough left over to do the sides. The trimmed off pieces were a bit narrow.

[Crazy_pilot]

The moisture and any small bubbles will disappear over time, Lamin-X breathes somewhat.

[DiabloScoobyru]

I believe I've said it before, but I will say it again: I 100% fully stand behind this product:

http://www.medsproducts.com/retail_products/restorem.html

It does exactly what the video shows, and is the simplest kit on the market. The self leveling sealant is what makes it the best IMHO. $18 for the kit, and each kit has 2 applications. Meds states 2 cars per kit, but if you are quick about it you can do 2.5 cars per application, for a total of 5 sets of lights. Not bad considering the price tag. I did my friend's 99 Grand Cherokee lenses (and if anyone has troubles with yellowed headlamps its Chrysler, they are notorious for it) and they came out looking brand new. Originally they were so yellow that the Hella bulbs I put in came out looking like yellow fog lamp bulbs at night. The low beams were so bad you couldnt use them.

I did the SVX with the same packet as his Jeep (they were pretty bad), and they came out looking like Sean's pictured below. While not perfectly clear, they were pretty good considering prior condition.

Longevity, it has been a year and I need to do a minor touch up on the Heep. Not sure about the SVX, ask Nate.

If anyone is interested and wants to volunteer their lights, I'll bring one of the pro kits to the Reading meet and host a demo/tech session. 1 pro kit is enough to do 12 cars. Or if you are so inclined to try for yourself, give Dave or Wil a call at Susquehanna Motorsports, mention you are an SVXWN member and give them your forum name for a 10% discount (I would also be willing to offer these at my cost if interested, which is a slightly better discount since I have an account with them).

We've done these kits at the shop as well, and have plenty of test results on Subaru lamps.