Headlight Hazing
 

Recently had one of my headlights replaced, and now it looks like my tl has a cataract. lol, before i go about wet sanding w/ 2000 grit, any other ideas what I can do/tips besides replace it? I've been trying to find a used set around, but can't justify spending over 400 for new headlights.

3M & Meguiars both have good kits out for around $20 . 2000 sanding is going to be hard to remove unless you have a good buffer/pads/polishes.

+1

I had hazy headlights also, and I bought the Meguiar's Headlight Restoration Kit along with 1500 and 2000 grit sandpaper.

Followed this guide:
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...ad.php?t=20994

Worked out great!

Before:

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...l/DSC03954.png

After:

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...l/DSC04011.png

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...l/DSC04056.png

Mine look just like yours except the drivers side is hella ugly. I was skeptical about the meguires and 3m kits, cause I tried the blue coral stuff but it didnt work so I had a feeling it was alot deeper. I'll give it a shot, thanks guys

Meguiar's doesn't tell you this on the box, but the secret to clearing the haze is wet-sanding before applying the headlight polish to get the best result possible.

Wet-sanding gets rid of all those small rocks chips, making the whole headlight lens smooth.

You'll notice your lens become all cloudy from sanding, but that's where the headlight polish (from the kit) comes in!

The "blue coral stuff" probably isn't that good of a polish.

After sanding:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...d/DSC_0056.jpg

After polish:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...d/DSC_0069.jpg

Colgate tooth paste... will make ur lights like new again

I'll def try the meguires kit out. Thanks guitarplayer for the link. I wouldn't have found it if it wasnt for you lol

Never heard of it until I searched it on YouTube, and it actually does work.

I still recommend Meguiar's headlight restoration kit because by the way he describes his headlights, they are pretty bad and need wet-sanding.

Toothpaste won't work (as well?) as the headlight polish on wet-sanded headlight lens.

No problem.

Be sure to post the results =)

Colgate or any other gritty tooth paste... the grit acts lie a mild sand paper/polish. Used this method on scratched cd's & dvd's all the time.

+1. You can also just use a rubbing compound i.e TurtleWax; if it's only oxidization. Using a rubbing compound omits any sanding.

i have alot of rock chips on my headlights but they are not too bad, can i wet sand it(how much grit?) then apply PlastiX?

Yup, wet sand then use Plastx.
You could start with 1500 grit then 2000 grit.
You could finish with 2500 grit.

Check out the link to the guide I posted earlier.

^ thanks alot!

I just used Plastix solely and had amazing results. I used an old tooth brush to do the polishing- you have lots of control and the compound doesn't get absorbed so much so a little goes a long way.

I then waxed the headlights with some Mequairs Tech 2.0 that supposedly has a UV blocker. We'll see how long the results last but the car lights look new today.

I've had positive results with the 3M kit.
 

My car is a 2004 model I purchased used, and I have every reason to believe this is the first time the lenses were ever restored. I used . You need a power drill to use it. My results are below.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...90cb335602.jpg
Before

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...9176c4da0a.jpg
After

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...fff3b8861e.jpg
Comparison

How to guide:

Another vote for the 3m kit. After I used the kit, I apply the cell phone screen protector from extremeguards to protect it.

IS THAT DUCT TAPE You used to tape off your headlights?!?! Holy crap.


:doh:

Duct tape. LOL

I used the 3M on my Toyota too... Another happy customer here.

Well you know, that stupid painter tape sometimes unsticks when it's wet. Duct tape doesn't.



On topic, the Sylvania kit is one of the most touted kit when it comes to headlight restoration. What it trades in ease of use (no drill unlike the 3M kit, all hand done) it gets back in clarity. Sylvania goes as far as offer a lifetime warranty if the kit is used properly. It takes time, around 2 hours, but you can expect perfect results. Comes with UV coating too which is the most important part if you don't want to do the same job in 6 months.

Is there a reason why I should spend $ on masking tape when I already have rolls of duct tape?

Because duct tape depending on what kind (HVAC, gaffing, etc...) can be 10x more difficult to get off and can damage your paint during removal.

:snicker:

I'm going to be doing this soon with a combo of the Meg's Kit along with some Blue Magic headlight lens sealer to combat the haze from reappearing. I used the Sylvania kit and the headlights yellowed again after 2 years of Florida Sun for a few hours a day.

Any chance on using automotive clear-coat over wet-sanded lenses to make sure that the haze doesn't come back?

Some members have used clear-coat-- there are a couple of different formulations mentioned in the other "clearing headlight" threads.
Others have applied a clear protective film, which is probably easier to apply than the clear coat.