Hello,
Has anyone had any success using lens restoration compounds to
make front driving headlight clear.


Thanks.

for example

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-1-H...item4a9cf69776



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PLAST...item20a99f1b8b

 

I used 1000 and 2000 sandpaper then used toothpaste.
It works and like new.

 

i use white toothpaste not the gel kind one and protect the lens with wax. i read on one of the lens restoration compound that for best results use it every 3 months but toothpaste works fine for me.

 

depending on how bad- the kits that attach a buffer to power drill = awesome results
By hand works if you are patient and have a few grades of sandpaper

Protect the plastic when done by applying synthetic car wax to the lens

note- it always looks worse before it gets better when polishing them
Protect surrounding car paint with blue painters tape

 

3m makes a headlight restoration kit. I recommend pulling the headlights and using air da sander. That will help...

 

i used this kit and it worked great
Meguiar's G1900K Headlight and Clear Plastic Restoration Kit

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G1900.../dp/B001O7I7FS

i liked how i did not go through all the included polish so i have plenty for future work.
it does everything in one step and you can apply it without the drill (on a sock) attachment if you want
if you go this route, de-fluf the head thing as mine lost some bristles when i first started and it made a mess

 

Wet sand, meguirs scratch x worked for me. Oh yeah and a whole lotta elbow grease.

 

My detail shop used the 3M kit (I believe) on mine with great results, at least for a while. I am a regular customer so I pretty much got it free but I think normally it would've been maybe $30-50.

 

resealing the lens plastic with car wax is the missed step
- synthetic last longer- has higher melt point than carnuba. and will make your car look `wet` all the time~

maintain with claybar same as you would the paint before its big polish and wax
polish is a scrubbing effect, polishing out sanding marks with higher grade- less grit, in steps.
10 bucks harbor freight!! ball buffer for drill, and compounds


walmart gets 50 bucks for this job and doesnt reseal the lens!

 

Walmart puts lead in dogfood, what do you expect?

 

Hello,
I heard a few folks mentioned to use regular white toothpaste.
do you just rub with a cloth.

then aftewards, use off the shelf commercial was from Walmart or Target stores.

Thanks.

 

Did mine a few months ago.
Wetsand, wetsand, wetsand, until the water isn't a milky color anymore (makes sure to keep the paper wet! I used a sponge & put the paper around it, keeps from getting pressure points on the paper.)
Then took a buffer & some buffing compound (I think). They look great now!

 

I've actually had great luck with one of those 3M kits.

 

I wet sanded mine with the following grits: 600, 800, 1000, 2000, 3000, 5000. At the end you want to polish them with a polishing compound and cloth. The lens turned out brand new.
But they will haze again if you don't protect them with a coating. I used a clear coat spray with UV protection. I put on 3 coats.

 

i just use a professional buffer with plastic polish, takes less than a minute to buff clear, only thing is it only lasts about 4 months, then you gotta repolish it

 

The wet sanding and white toothbrush is the cheapest way to go, and it really works, ive done it to 3 cars including my own.. just have to be patient, they deffinitely get worse before they clear up during the process.. Unfortunetly my driver side headlight came out brand new, & the passenger side looks horrrrrrrrible lol i think the condensation is on the inside or something =( Anyways, wetsand, and toothpaste... it works and its cheap.. (then wax them after)

 

if you don't seal, they will look like crap again in a few months. Anyone can polish and make them look clear...but to permanently fix them, I've been researching.

There's a package with multiple steps, last of which is a chemical bonding sealant that claims to be a lifetime warranty and will never come back to yellow.

They have it at advance auto. Called CRYSTAL VIEW.

 

Mine look crapped up on the inside as well, and it's having serious affect on my nighttime comfort.

I'm even considering the $84 each aftermarket headlight assemblies.

Anyone else have discoloration on the inside?

 

Well, if you're building up condensation inside, it's probably mold/water stains from being exposed to it over time.
$84/side ain't bad...but I'd rather spend 20 bucks.
Bake the headlights, open them up and wipe down the inside, seal back up with some extra butyl rubber and then do the crystal view on the outside. BRAND NEW lookin!

 

It sure sounds easier doing the buffing in the shop, on the big wheel, rather than at the car,
moving the lens across the buff, rather than the buff across the lens.

So, the inside would not normally require buffing, but rather, cleaning only?

 

You would think. Technically, the suns rays couldn't have gotten to the inside lense and deteriorated it or made it hazy. You'd be surprised how clear the outside will make them though. When they are wet, do they look clear?

Also, I agree...buffing off the car is nice...but it's dangerous...most of those wheels can burn the plastic very quickly. Look into youtube... crystal view. It's a product you can apply by hand (it's a 4 step process) and supposedly it chemically seals the lights clear forever.

 

I gave up on the four-step, as the inside was as bad or worse as the outside.

But if it is only spots, maybe I'll crack one open and check it out.

 

Keep us posted...check with JNC if it's above your comfort level...that guy can work miracles and make your oem lights looks absolutely perfect.