One of my headlights is basically scratched and completely fogged over. How much should it cost to call one of those headlight restoration people to fix 1 of the headlights.

Anyone from Miami know how to do it?

 

its pretty easy to do, get some high grit sandpaper (1500, 2000 and 3000) and some plastic polish.

Soak all the sheets in water for about 30 minutes. Fill a spray bottle with some soap and water. Sand back and forth in one direction with 1500 grit, spray solution to provide lubricant. Then wipe and check progress. Then use 2000 grit and sand in the other direction (if you went up to down before now go left to right) and spray solution. Follow up with 3000 grit and then with some plastic polish. I'll advise you that it'll be back in a month or so, so buy some of those headlight films (clear) and put those over right after polishing so the light will be protected.

 

Thanks, but the key is I don't want it back after a month. And don't want to put headlight films on. You can still see them even though they are clear. These guys tend to think it doesnt. http://drheadlight.com/default.aspx

 

...........and the "after" picture really doesnt do it justice.....Total time was about 10 minutes each, with a 3M Headlight Restoration Kit for around $21.00. Grab a headlight film kit, and not only will you never need to repair them again, but they will be protected from rock chips, which in and of themselves is very destructive. Kits run about $50.00 for headlight and fog/driving lights. So for about 1/2 of what that "DR." is going to charge you, you can have both lights done, and "protected" forever......
Im currently offering this to my clients as well, for about $150.00 out the door.....(which is less then one light assembly for TL) and it lasts F O R E V E R.

 

Just curious ..is there any sealant that you can buy instead of the clear vinyl overlays? Trying to find clear ones for my CL has not yielded any great results..

 

Nothing other then your standard hi grade polymer protectant, which runs about $30.00 or more. BUt you get limited U.V. protection, and no rock or stone guard protection.

 

will keep this in mind for future.

 

any thoughts about the meguiars plast x??

 

I thought that it worked well....definitely for mild to moderate jobs. Plus you may need to use several applications.

 

Im tellin ya, the kit from 3M is awesome and has everything you need (except a drill) for $20.00. CHEAP repair, and you will have leftovers for a friends as well. Invest in a light protection kit for another $50.00 and your good forever.

 

Where can you get 2000 and 3000 grit sandpaper?

I went to Advance Autoparts today and grabbed some 1000 grit (finest they had) and tried sanding my headlights. Now they're all foggy even after applying PlastX and Mothers Carnauba cleaner wax.

 

Yeah your going to need 1500 at a minimum to bring the gloss back.....1500 will help clear up some of the clouding you introduced. Take it a step further for more clarity. i have never had to go to 3k though.

 

Try a hardware store.. Ace, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc..

 

You can certainly find them at any auto paint store.

 

I found 2000 grit today at NAPA. It only looks slightly better than before even after using a polishing compound.

I'm kinda bummed out about it. My headlights were more clear before I ever did any sanding or polishing. They're smoother now, but that doesn't make them look any better.