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#1
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Headlight restore
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.
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Party like a rock star, rock it like a porn star, and drive it like you stole it. Life's short, live it |
#2
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Re: Headlight restore
I think a lot of products work great, but it would be nice to sort out which one lasts.
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Disclaimer: The above post is on the internet. |
#3
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Re: Headlight restore
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. 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.
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94 Acura Integra GSR 97 Legacy Brighton - EG33 Swap still in progress 03 Silverado 2500 - Duramax Last edited by StatGSR; 10-14-2010 at 10:57 AM. |
#4
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Re: Headlight restore
Just bought this. I like the combination of items in the product. I will report back on my experiences.
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#5
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Re: Headlight restore
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.
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-Jason (8/23/07-Present) 1995 Subaru SVX LSi (197k) Polo Green (#1102) 03/95 Mods: DDM Tuning 4500k 35w Low Beam HID, 100w H3 Bulbs, Extra Ground Cables, 15 minute $12.96 mod, svxfiles designed transmission mount (), sporting a "new" tail light bar, silver BBS rims, custom power steering cooler (one that doesn't dump ATF constantly), new negative lead cable, no more third or fourth gear (1977-Present) 1977 Chevrolet Corvette (81k) Silver (12/01/2011-Present) 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 5MT (97k) I have a bad feeling about this. -Obi Wan Kenobi |
#6
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Re: Headlight restore
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I wonder if a coating of high quality wax will protect the headlights. I will finish my restore with a coating of Collinite.
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#7
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Re: Headlight restore
^ yes consistent waxing will keep the lens surface protected.
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94 Acura Integra GSR 97 Legacy Brighton - EG33 Swap still in progress 03 Silverado 2500 - Duramax |
#8
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Re: Headlight restore
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.
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#9
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Re: Headlight restore
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.
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-Steven 1992 SVX Purple and Black 5 speed swap SOLD *1993 SVX Silver and Black *1994 SVX L Barcelona Red FWD |
#10
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Re: Headlight restore
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.
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Danny 1994 Silver SVX in hybernation, awaiting for the monsterous awakening (Lebanon) 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL Euro Specs, Hard/Softtop, White/Red. Under Complete Restoration 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL350 Euro Specs, White/Red. Mint... Another step into SL Collection. Last edited by SilverSpear; 10-25-2010 at 12:15 AM. |
#11
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Re: Headlight restore
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.
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"The things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything." 92 Pearl White Ls-l (138k) Euro Headlights & Blinkers, 97 Grill, Euro Tail Lights, SS Brake Lines, Stebro Exhaust, Slotted Rotors, Classic Registration 96 Legacy Outback (206k) 5-speed 2.2 Lightweight Crank Pulley, Group N Trans & Motor Mounts SOLD Wanted: Steering Wheel |
#12
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Re: Headlight restore
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?
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1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert Reading Box of Wine Car ----------------------------------- 1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019 1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007 |
#13
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Re: Headlight restore
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'94 Laguna Blue LSi ~159k.......JDM ultra short-geared 3.900 STi Version 7 6-speed w/ Cobb shortshifter, ECUtune 244,8.1mm/256,9.1mm i/e cams, group N motor mounts, '97 grille, JDM clear corners, Momo JDM Legacy GT steering wheel, apkarian's LED tails, silver STi BBS wheels, PWR radiator, redstuff pads f/r, drilled/slotted rotors, bontragerworks rsb #18, Koni/GC 450f/375r coilovers, Megan Racing adjustable lateral links, KMac c/c plates, Stebro exhaust, ECUtune 1v5, Optima battery in the trunk where it belongs. Turbo project '97 Ebony LSi ~137k #036.......Power mode mod, JDM clear corners, BBS wheels. AUX/pocket mod Now a mod "over there" ............Photo album |
#14
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Re: Headlight restore
i used the turtle wax kit and it improved a lot from what it was but not as much as i would have liked.
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1992 SVX Pearlie: AmsOil signature synthetic 10w40 and Ea15k20 filter, Cobb crank pulley, Outlaw Engineering spacers and tb bypass, LGT 5spd, Slotted Crossdrilled rotors and ceramic pads, 11:1 compression, EGR delete, Port & Polished heads, SaikoMichi catch can, A/c delete. |
#15
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Re: Headlight restore
Does anyone have a clearcoat brand recommendation?
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1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert Reading Box of Wine Car ----------------------------------- 1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019 1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007 |
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