For headlight restoration, try 3M
#1
For headlight restoration, try 3M
Worth every penny. My headlights were fogging up. I bought this kit off Amazon (3M restoration system) but it requires a drill (any drill will do the trick). Takes about 30-45 minutes for both. A 2/10 in terms of difficulty. Useful for that yellow haze or regular old fogging up. Actually for the regular old fogging, I think any polish and drill should do the trick but I said what the hell and did these extra steps on top of that.
Here is the link:
I highly, highly recommend it.
Here is the link:
I highly, highly recommend it.
#2
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
great stuff
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#3
#4
Race Director
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good to know
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#5
Safety Car
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this stuff is very good, i've done this on my wife's honda civic a few times. after the 3rd time, i paid a local company $80 to put on clear tint after and they have a 7 year warranty against fading/hazing. if you don't do that, you'll keep repolishing it over and over every 6 mo to a year.
my headlights are starting to get hazy so i'll prob do this and get them covered like my wife's
my headlights are starting to get hazy so i'll prob do this and get them covered like my wife's
#6
Team Owner
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Nice....and only $17.50 too.
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#8
Safety Car
iTrader: (8)
You can also just pick it up at Walmart or Autozone for the same price and no waiting period ![Dunno](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
Also, for the clear tint:
Headlight, Tail Light, Fog Light & Paint Protection Products from Lamin-x=
![Dunno](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
Also, for the clear tint:
Headlight, Tail Light, Fog Light & Paint Protection Products from Lamin-x=
#9
Did the same thing with mine about 2 months ago:
https://acurazine.com/forums/photogr...-07-tl-931804/
Make sure that you use a good sealant! Clear bra is what I used on mine.
https://acurazine.com/forums/photogr...-07-tl-931804/
Make sure that you use a good sealant! Clear bra is what I used on mine.
#10
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
I've always been reluctant to put on a film on the headlights.
I've seen stress cracks way too often after removing headlight film.
I'll be using Opti-lens.
I've seen stress cracks way too often after removing headlight film.
I'll be using Opti-lens.
#11
for those who is doing this. from my experience, it better to put a clear coat over it after you sand it down, otherwise you will be doing this every 6-12months. I done it twice in past 2 years and realized that the yellowing comes back after 4months.
#15
Suzuka Master
if you are serious then here is the answer.
cleat coat can be a film apply or spray a solution and it form coating like clear coat on the paint.
Wax is a compound like wax you have to apply once a month after the initial restore, it same as you wax your car help it protect from the element.
cleat coat can be a film apply or spray a solution and it form coating like clear coat on the paint.
Wax is a compound like wax you have to apply once a month after the initial restore, it same as you wax your car help it protect from the element.
#17
Suzuka Master
^^^^^lmfao.
#18
Racer
Can you please post your results when you do? I've always been wondering about this product and if it was worth the money. All of these kits look good, and most of the reviews on here and everywhere else show the result right after cleaning. I haven't really heard anything regarding longevity of the sealants. I did hear that Sylvania's sealant that comes in their headlight kit was great though.
#21
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
Can you please post your results when you do? I've always been wondering about this product and if it was worth the money. All of these kits look good, and most of the reviews on here and everywhere else show the result right after cleaning. I haven't really heard anything regarding longevity of the sealants. I did hear that Sylvania's sealant that comes in their headlight kit was great though.
#22
Are there any recommended brands of clear coat to use? Looking to get this done while I have the lens off for black housing project.
#23
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I used the Megs product on Sunday-great results and very easy to use.
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mtfkr212 (08-18-2015)
#24
Safety Car
iTrader: (5)
i restored my wife's honda headlights a few months ago and didn't like that her car had something that looked better than mine, so this past week i restored my TL headlights. i used the 3M kit, which in my opinion is much better than the Meguiar's kit I used to use on my wife's car. it came out very well and then I got a local shop to put a clear tint on top that has a 7 year warranty against fading and yellowing.
it took me about 1 hour per side because i'm very picky and wanted it to look nice. the kit takes you through 3 sanding steps and then a polishing step. it came with sealant but i didn't use it.
30 bucks for the kit, 80 for the clear tint. i did this previously on my wife's car and it looks great.
prior to restoration:
![Name: IMG_4432_zpsnexaajjr.jpg
Views: 666
Size: 50.5 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/66598d1501408267-headlight-restoration-try-3m-img_4432_zpsnexaajjr.jpg)
after the first round of sanding:
![Name: IMG_4440_zpsrxbm7yl3.jpg
Views: 609
Size: 73.5 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/66599d1501408267-headlight-restoration-try-3m-img_4440_zpsrxbm7yl3.jpg)
final result after the clear tint was put on by a local shop:
it took me about 1 hour per side because i'm very picky and wanted it to look nice. the kit takes you through 3 sanding steps and then a polishing step. it came with sealant but i didn't use it.
30 bucks for the kit, 80 for the clear tint. i did this previously on my wife's car and it looks great.
prior to restoration:
![Name: IMG_4432_zpsnexaajjr.jpg
Views: 666
Size: 50.5 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/66598d1501408267-headlight-restoration-try-3m-img_4432_zpsnexaajjr.jpg)
after the first round of sanding:
![Name: IMG_4440_zpsrxbm7yl3.jpg
Views: 609
Size: 73.5 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/66599d1501408267-headlight-restoration-try-3m-img_4440_zpsrxbm7yl3.jpg)
final result after the clear tint was put on by a local shop:
![Name: IMG_4445_zpsgrhvaqlb.jpg
Views: 664
Size: 42.3 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/66600d1501408267-headlight-restoration-try-3m-img_4445_zpsgrhvaqlb.jpg)
#25
Race Director
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beautiful results ![Smile](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
From what I've read also, the 3M kit is much better than Meguiars
![Smile](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
From what I've read also, the 3M kit is much better than Meguiars
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#26
Racer
#27
Safety Car
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some places may even restore your headlights for you but it isn't that hard to do and you can save some money.
#30
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Sockr, that looks really good!
The Meguiars kit I used was $15. It is one or two steps and works really well. And naturally, I forgot to take before and after pictures.....
The Meguiars kit I used was $15. It is one or two steps and works really well. And naturally, I forgot to take before and after pictures.....
#31
Safety Car
iTrader: (5)
hopefully i don't have to use any kits on our two cars now that I have them clear tinted
#32
Racer
iTrader: (1)
I wasn't impressed with the LaminX precut, when I added yellow film to my fog lights. The cut was way too small.
And 60$ is steep for one set of HL's esp when i have to do 3 sets.. So I went with a huge roll of clear tint off Ebay for like 13$. They had over 500+ rolls sold and not many complains. I figured I would try that first.
#35
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Thanks Steven! I used the Meguiar's twice on my wife's honda civic and it did the job well enough, but when I went to use it on my TL lights I had to step it up to the 3M kit since the Meguiar's didn't restore the TL ones at all. The 3M kit blew Meguiar's away!
hopefully i don't have to use any kits on our two cars now that I have them clear tinted
hopefully i don't have to use any kits on our two cars now that I have them clear tinted
Interesting, buddy. I only did one headlight. I had to put some elbow grease into it. I'll check out the 3M kit.
#36
Racer
iTrader: (1)
Well, i was able to make new 2 sets of headlights with the 3M kit.. I failed tho at installing the clear bra film. I even tried installing it wet. I just couldn't get it perfect so I kept taking pulling it up and the install wound up looking like crap. Maybe i'll just have someone else install it for me.
#37
Suzuka Master
just got mine done with the M105 and M205 recently, I will show the result later tho.
#38
Racer
Well, i was able to make new 2 sets of headlights with the 3M kit.. I failed tho at installing the clear bra film. I even tried installing it wet. I just couldn't get it perfect so I kept taking pulling it up and the install wound up looking like crap. Maybe i'll just have someone else install it for me.
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Just a heads up for anyone looking to buy, amazon has a $5 dollar off clip & save coupon and also qualifies for $5 mfg rebate. I picked up this one to try:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o01_s00
Last edited by Will1688; 09-10-2015 at 04:02 PM.
#39
Racer
iTrader: (1)
What method did you try? Soapy water mixture, squeegee, and heat gun?
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Just a heads up for anyone looking to buy, amazon has a $5 dollar off clip & save coupon and also qualifies for $5 mfg rebate. I picked up this one to try:
Amazon.com: 3M 39045 Headlight Renewal Kit with Protectant: Automotive
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Just a heads up for anyone looking to buy, amazon has a $5 dollar off clip & save coupon and also qualifies for $5 mfg rebate. I picked up this one to try:
Amazon.com: 3M 39045 Headlight Renewal Kit with Protectant: Automotive
#40
Registered Bunny
Squeegee also necessity, soapy water in a spray bottle and hairdryer and you're good to go. Wet both sides, wet the headlight (after cleaning it!), position and don't be scared to slide it around a bit. Stretch it out with the hair dryer while using the squeegee/fingers and don't forget to keep it wet.