I got this Headlight Restorer from Wal-Mart called Crystal View Headlight restoration. I didn't think it would be a good product, but it definitely was. I saw it and held on to it, thinking that I might get it if I can't find the list of things from the DIY. Well I couldn't find sand paper that was finer than 400 so just bought this crystal view product.

I got home and tried it out. It comes with detailed instructions, and works amazingly well. I didn't take any before and after pics( I guess I can still take after pics) but the headlights look brand new.

It basically contains all the stuff that you would get if you followed the DIY instructions on this forum. 1000 grit Sandpaper, another sandpaper that's even finer then that, some type of polish and then a clear coat type thing.

I would recommend this to anyone who has fucked up/hazy headlights.

The cost was only 20 and is worth way more. It's in the automotive section at wal-mart and is in a foil type bag. I'll post pics later.

 

Awesome!!! they look like new? Did it help as far as the clarity of light on the ground at night? Or is it strictly aesthetic?

 

Yeah they look like I just went and bought some brand new lights. I was so happy with the results, I called my wife in the garage and showed her......... she wasn't as impressed cause she didn't notice how bad they were, however she did say they look like glass.

And as far as clarity goes, I think it's much clearer. I did one light first and turned the headlights on, the one that I did looked very clear, and the light seemed really bright. And on the other headlight it seemed like there was a yellow film or tint covering the light.

 

yea i saw that shit but i figured it was BS, i bought that headlight restorer things that come in pack up 5 circles where u put on drill, they work like shit really. ey murky didnt know u were married, prertyty young, congrats, but anyways u going to the meguiars meet? i think one spot left man.

 

I thoguht it was BS also but I thoguht I would give it a try. I am really impressed with it, I want to shout it from the top of a mountain, but I'll just stick to posting on here.

Yeah I've been married for about 3 years now, definitely too young, but its been fun.

No I don't think that I am going to go to the Meguiars thing, I'll go to a meet, but dont really care to much for school. I thought that we were going to have a meet soon for 818, what happened with that........ oh and I'm still working on that DIY for changing a bulb with 30 people.

 

lol. i think youre the only one in acurazine history to have the whole meet come to a house and install something. lol. i need shocks and spring install, you think you can help me round up another 30 and pull it off at hadookens again?

 

hell yeah. maybe his mom will really make us dinner

 

Wanna see pics of what it will look like in a few months? The headlights on the 2002/2003 TL's are plastic with a polymer coating. I had a little scuff on one of mine. So... I bought ye' ole headlight polish. Once that polymer coating is sanded off the plastic your headlight lense is done. It looked awesome when I was done polishing it. But then it went to shit quickly after.

I ordered a new headlight and will never try a "miracle" solution again.

...Well, unless I see somebody else do it first.

Same with those Lexan foglamp lenses.

 

so uncald4, you're saying that you've tried this and it ruined your headlights after a few months?

 

do the 99-01's have a protective film we should worry about removing as well?

 

I've read a number of Acura TL lens polishing threads and that's the first mention I've seen of a "poylmer coating" on the lens. Where did you get that information?

Did you attempt to polish the lens again?

Did you use the same "Crystal View" product?

Based on some of the earlier polishing threads, I've purchased a couple of 3M plastic polishing products but I haven't used them yet.

How much does a replacement lens cost?

Thanks,

Bob

 

man ur married.. CONGRATs! thats the first thing that went through my head when u said "ur wife" ... i'm like 'hmm 24, i'm 25" wow... 3 years too.. .wicked... i lived with my girl for a while. it was fun... but i think i'll wait til i'm married to do that again....

 

This is all you need

I used it and it works like a charm. Too bad I have some condensation in my passenger headlight!

 

can i see pics of ur messed up headlights?

 

Did you use sandpaper before that or any kind of special cloth? You don't happen to have pics do you?

 

Hey thanks man, yeah it was kinda a spur of the moment thing. But it's been working out. Got one kid and one on the way...... but anyway, back to the headlight stuff. Still haven't gotten around to take a pic but it's been a couple of days and still looks amazing.

 

Wow. That's a good list of questions. I used the Crystal View first. It turned out great. Then after driving the car for a few rainy days it started to haze. So I bought a similar product from a body shop made by Meguires. After I polished it out the second time it looked brand new. The Meguires product was definately better. But this is what my passenger headlight looks like now, after a month. It's very hazey and the light output is not good. I bought a new headlamp assembly for that one side for $160.00.

 

uncald4,

Thanks for all the information!

Bob

 

I went around to a few different wal-marts with no luck on finding the crystal view restoration . I finally went to the autozone close by and found it there. I was thinking maybe the autozone was probably going to be alittle more $$ but it was still $20. Anyways, i'll be trying this out tomorrow and i'll let you know if i have the same results

 

Well i'm here to back you up man. I purchased the same stuff from walmart about 4-5 months ago and hell yes that stuff works. Ever since i used it i have had no problems with any hazing since. Awesome product for an awesome price!

Chris

 

Thanks for the info. That's good to read.

Bob

 

I wonder if it's the weather or salted roads that cause the hazing...but you ar in MO Tophstls, so I assume you get similar wetaher treatment?

 

Yeah we get the same road treatment here man, especially this winter. We had very nasty storms here and they go OVERBOARD with the salt and sand on the roads.

 

I finally got a chance to put this stuff on my headlights this past weekend and damn it looks great! Thanks for the heads up MurkyRiversTL . My headlights look good as new!

 

hey no prob. Its been almost a month now, they still look brand new and that's after rain, and several washings.

 

Alrighty then... I'm off to wal-mart now. I will do before and after pics so people can get an idea of what it does. My headlights are kinda crappy and its a nice day to try it. I will post lata.

 

Alright, I finally found it after passing it up. I didn't think it would be in that foil bag. But here it goes I did it in about 20 mins taking my time.
Before Right Side

After Right Side

Before Left Side

After Right Side

Pic of Bag

Hope this help anyone who wants to decide. Works pretty good I think. Hope it lasts too.

 

^wow, good results, they look like brand new..... but im still a little worried about the long lasting effect

 

Yea I missed that part. But I remember someone saying that the 02/03 has some other kind of coating that the 99/01 dont have on the headlight. So maybe im safe.

 

Wow! They look great! Thanks for taking the time to take and post the photos. And thanks for posting a photo of the actual product.

How long did it take you to complete the process? Do you have any tips or lessons learned based on your experience?

Bob

 

No prob. Yea I do have some advice. Use the painters tape to mask it off. Take your time. And when you put the CV-2 packet on. Do it Fast, Light handed, and Don't let it dry while your doing. It will leave streak marks.

 

Thanks for the advice. I might just give that a shot.

Based on some other TL lens cleaning threads, I did buy some 3M plastic polishing compunds for this. Now I'm wondering which method I should try first.

Bob

 

Well since you already have some stuff. go with that. No reason to buy more stuff.

 

Thanks for that great information.

 

Well if it does that I will be sure to let you all know.

 

After no luck using that permatex headlight restoration, I want to try the crystal view. Where in wal-mart did you find it? I have been to 3-4 wal-marts in the automotive where the waxes, sandpaper, bondo stuff, cleaners, etc. are. I cannot find this. I have also gone to auto zone and advance auto parts with no luck. I may have to order it online, but it's a little more...and i want to fix it this weekend....may try to seafoam the car as well and see how that goes.

 

I think there's no telling where it would be in a particular Wal-Mart. In my local Wal-Mart I found it on a low shelf near all the car stereo stuff. It was in a small cardboard display and it's pretty easy to miss. I saw it while I was looking for an automotive wiring connector.

I would just give the name of the product to a Wal-Mart employee and ask if they can help you find it. It should be listed in their inventory system.

Bob

 

I saw it in Wal-Mart by the headlights. I haven't done it yet but I will this weekend. Since everyone has had such good luck with it, I decided to buy it. We'll see!

 

Found the stuff at Advance Auto Parts...not only did it fix the "screw-up" with the Permatex, but it made it look a LOT better. They look as close to new as you can possibly get for a 7 yr old car. They will not look perfect or brand new as the lens and chrome trim have been UV exposed for 7 years so there may be a very slight haze (I'm a perfectionist) and when you look at it from the top at an angle you can tell a small bit....however, it's a significant improvement for little $.

Most people won't be able to tell you did the wet sand repair. Try this for a way out of spending $160. I only did the passenger side because the driver side was ok. I will post pics if I have time tonight.

 

Thanks for the first hand report!

I bought this product but I haven't had a chance to apply it yet.

lokee99 wrote above: Use the painters tape to mask it off. Take your time. And when you put the CV-2 packet on. Do it Fast, Light handed, and Don't let it dry while your doing. It will leave streak marks.

Do you have any other tips or suggestions based on your application experience?

Bob