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08-09-2011, 12:42 PM | #1 |
RCC Addict Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 1,594
| How To Properly Restore Headlights
Items needed: Plastic Polish Polishing pad or small buffer 1200 grit wet/dry sand paper Cup of water Tape Towel Wax Start by by taping the paint around the headlight to avoid stretches Now start wet sanding the headlight When it feels smooth and uniform, dry it with a clean towel Now smear some polish on the lens and start polishing. Be sure to clean off the dried polish before each pass. First pass: Second pass: Third pass: Fourth pass: After the polishing, it is a good idea to throw a coat of wax on the lenses. I have done this many times and the lenses stay clear for a long long time. Before and After |
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08-09-2011, 12:59 PM | #2 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 16,952
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Nice! I tried that 3M kit on my wife's Corolla and it worked, but they were back to dull after a few months....
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08-09-2011, 01:11 PM | #3 |
No idea what I'm doing Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Underground, CO
Posts: 4,529
| Same here on my girlfriends Jetta. I didn't get quite the results as the pictures above but it was much better than before, but like you said it faded fast. Almost like some protective coating is removed causing them to age faster.
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08-09-2011, 01:22 PM | #4 |
Suck it up! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arkansas
Posts: 11,652
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I used the 3m kit and had great results. After nearly a year they are still nice and clear.
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08-09-2011, 01:22 PM | #5 |
~THE SCALE SHOP~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: KILLEEN TX
Posts: 10,056
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sad part is it only last 6 months
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08-09-2011, 01:50 PM | #6 |
RCC Addict Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 1,594
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If cars were washed at least once a month and waxed before every season change, we wouldn't have this issue lol This method lasts for a long time too. Especially if you take care of your car. |
08-09-2011, 02:01 PM | #7 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 16,952
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08-09-2011, 02:11 PM | #8 |
MODERATOR™ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ohio
Posts: 18,928
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Nicely done. That came out sparkly clear! I've been meaning to get the meguir's or mother's powerball kit and do mine but I is lazy. |
08-09-2011, 02:41 PM | #9 | |
RCC Addict Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tyler, TX
Posts: 1,619
| Quote:
Don't know why the other guys didn't have the same result. | |
08-09-2011, 08:38 PM | #10 |
Rock Crawler Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Alvin,Texas
Posts: 820
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08-09-2011, 08:52 PM | #11 |
Rock Crawler Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Piedmont, SC
Posts: 551
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Works on tail lights too |
08-09-2011, 08:58 PM | #12 |
www.ottsix.com Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
Posts: 2,050
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I have some (well, a lot) of pitting from heavy oxidation on my covers. I don't think either hand sanding or power buffing are going to work...any ideas?
Last edited by crawl-o-matic; 08-09-2011 at 09:01 PM. |
08-09-2011, 09:18 PM | #13 |
Rock Crawler Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Piedmont, SC
Posts: 551
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You can still use steps above just start with a little more aggressive sand paper...one of the big company's sell a "extreme damage" kit. Meguiars I think....
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08-10-2011, 05:38 PM | #14 |
www.ottsix.com Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
Posts: 2,050
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I'll give it a go then
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08-10-2011, 06:19 PM | #15 |
I'm a stupid C U N T! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In the Garage!
Posts: 4,307
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Several of the local guys here have resorted to clear coating their lenses, something in the ice melt chemicals they use tears them up in a hurry here
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08-10-2011, 06:32 PM | #16 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Detroit
Posts: 3,583
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Waxing headlights and other plastics will greatly increase the new life and restored life. People often overlook wax's ability to not just be shiny but also protect against chemicals and UV wear.
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08-10-2011, 06:49 PM | #17 |
RCC Addict Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 1,594
| 100% correct. Like I said, if people just took care of their stuff we wouldn't have this issue.
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08-10-2011, 09:19 PM | #18 |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Calabash, NC
Posts: 348
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1997 4Runner - glass lenses FTW! But yeah, I used to wax the lenses on my ex's Rav4 all the time! No probs. |
08-13-2011, 12:02 PM | #19 |
Pebble Pounder Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kalispell
Posts: 119
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All my rigs have glass lenses except for my subaru and the lights on it are horrible........ What has two thumbs and doesn't give a crap?? This guy!!! As long as the lights turn on so the coppers leave me along I couldn't care less what the lenses look like. |
08-13-2011, 12:17 PM | #20 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 16,952
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