TLMunchkin37

So ever since I got my TL back from the body shop with her new bumper, I've been realizing how sad my headlights look. Decided on the Meguiars Headlight Restoration Kit, and I am AMAZED with the results.

I Included some pics and I know this has been done before, but if you are anything like me, I like to hear reviews from multiple sources. I highly recommend this kit if you're looking to clean up your headlights.

The Kit, comes with PlastX, a microfiber and a pad which attaches to your drill. My drill is far from a decent one and it still worked well.

IMAG0165 by colombian_mami37, on Flickr

IMAG0166 by colombian_mami37, on Flickr

IMAG0170 by colombian_mami37, on Flickr

I taped off the area around the lights in case of splatter, but there was very little anyway.

IMAG0163 by colombian_mami37, on Flickr

I used Quick Mask and Scotch Blue Painters Tape. The Quick Mask was a good product for this which I happened to have from a previous room painting

IMAG0164 by colombian_mami37, on Flickr

Apply Product to Pad, not lens

IMAG0171 by colombian_mami37, on Flickr

Before...

IMAG0167 by colombian_mami37, on Flickr

IMAG0168 by colombian_mami37, on Flickr

Driver's Side done...passenger Not done..

IMAG0172 by colombian_mami37, on Flickr

After...

IMAG0173 by colombian_mami37, on Flickr

xtcxjigga

iTrader: (1)

nice job! you should protect the headlight from the elements so you dont have to polish it again.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Looks great!

I was impressed with the headlight restoration kit, too.
I wet-sanded the headlights before applying the polish, though.



A week later, I wasn't happy because the edges of the headlights were still hazy, probably because me being so very careful not to polish something else.

I applied PlastX by hand and used a microfiber cloth which worked better - more precise around the edges =)

TLMunchkin37

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, I'm not thrilled with the edges either, tried to be very cautious even though I taped it off. I definitely think having a better drill (this one is old, bulky and heavy) and maybe an option of pad sizes would generate great results.

This was my first try with the kit, so I'll work on it again once the weather gets a little nicer. It was dark by the time I was done, so no pics of both lenses completed. Maybe tomorrow!

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

I would just work the PlastX in by hand using the microfiber cloth

Nothing gets the edges as precise as our hand

The cool thing about PlastX is that there's plenty so in about a month or two if you're still not happy you can apply it again =P

oarichard

iTrader: (3)

toothpaste
towel
elbow grease
wet towel

=

win

Bearcat94

Fixed.

oarichard

iTrader: (3)

Sore arm: Good little workout for your forearms. Can never be bad.

Nasty toothpaste: Don't be a kid and get it all over the place. A good squeeze on a clean towel will do.

2 dirty towels: Go put em in the laundry and they get good as new.

If your willing to spend money on something you can do with your daily household supplies, then by all means go get those overpriced chemicals.

Bearcat94

OK.


But mine was funnier.


:wink:

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Silly rabbit..

stiffdogg06

iTrader: (1)

I have SOS pads at home, should I wash my car with it?
I have a crusty shower towel, should I dry my car off with it?

CzarV

your going to need a uv sealer to put on now, otherwise they will turn yellow within a few months...

supposedly every plastic headlight has a clear uv film over them, when you the restoration kits it strips off the uv film...

EDIT: Looks great! just like almost new lights!

TLMunchkin37

Thanks for the tip! Anyone have suggestions on a good UV Sealer?

NCTL05

iTrader: (9)

Anything with carnuba in it will work. Mother's carnuba paste wax is what I've used on my headlights before after polishing them. It's really good on paint too.

compewterbleu

When I had my 3.2 CL I used a similar product made byTurtle Wax ; T-240KT Headlight Lens Restorer Kit. Amazing. Cost about $7 and then my brother used it on his Crown Vic....great result. After 6 months and most of the time sitting in the hot Georgia sun it didn't yellow up on me or anything.

rksokol

That looks really nice! TLMunchkin37, what year is your TL? Also, what kind of fibre is on the drill pad?

TLMunchkin37

Thanks rksokol! I have a 2004 TL and I'm the second owner. I've had my baby about three years.

I'm assuming the original owner never did the lenses because of how caked on the film was over the lens. I'm very impressed; but being the perfectionist that I am...I will give it another try in a month or two to get some of the leftover gunk that I see.

I'm not sure the exact material of the pad. But I showed a picture of it above; it's bright yellow and very soft and loosely woven. It may also be microfiber.

07tl-s6spd

iTrader: (1)

looks great!

Indy04TL

Thanks for the tip on using Carnuba as a UV sealer on the lenses!
By the way, should you use that before or after using the toothpaste! LOL!!

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

Grill looks a lot better than the stock grey. Did the body shop paint that too?

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Nice job Munchkin.


2011 National AcuraZine Meet-Kansas City-June 12, 2011-Details Here!


.

TLMunchkin37

anx1300c; Yes...apparently the body shop painted that too. I didn't even think to ask them to do it, but they did...and it looks amazing.

It's one of the first things I noticed when I got it home. I was going to post something up about it as I originally thought it may have been a different year bumper that came painted in lieu of the cheesy dark gray matte. I did some research and it seems that he just painted it. I'm loving it!

TLMunchkin37

Thank you!

Chessie724

OP - Thanks for posting up the product review and the before and after pics. Looks great and definitely something I'll do. I think I'll practice first on my wife's '01 SUV, as the other day I noticed the headlights were looking pretty sad and look pretty dim, even with Silverstars behind them.

Moderators - Please reconsider putting this back in the main forum. I'd have never seen this in wash & wax, and read it in the main forum while it was there. The amount of improvement in clarity is on par with a blackout/smoke, amber-delete, etc. mod and I think more folks would benefit.

TLMunchkin37

Thanks Chessie!! I am still very impressed with the results. I didn't get to post an "official" update yet; but the brightness of the lights while driving at night seems increased by at least 30-40%.

Last night I took a familiar route down a very dark side exit ramp of the Expressway, in which I ALWAYS used my high beams. Didn't need them AT ALL! I put them on for a minute just to see how bright they were, and the shine against the "Exit Sign" actually hurt my eyes. Can't imagine what it would look like to oncoming traffic!


Good luck with both yours and the wife's SUV!

exceldetail

Any OTC product, wax or sealant, is NOT going to give you substantial protection from U.V.'s. If you want UV protection, consider a PPF film by 3M or one of the other known name manufacturers.
Dont kid yourself with a wax (Nubas dont generally have UV prohibitors in them anyway). Some sealants do, but they just dont last that long. You'd be better off using 303.

ParaSurfer1979

I don't know how old you are but must of us don't have weak forearms for certain reasons...ha ha ha!!!

NCTL05

iTrader: (9)

Yeah. I forgot to mention that using the carnuba wax isn't permanent. You have to reaplly it per the instructions on the product. Once a month is ideal, but I've gone awhile since I've done mine.

Anyways, what is 303?

The BEST way to seal the headlights for UV protection is to get a body shop to spray a couple coats of clear with UV protection in it. That is permanent. Pricey though. Depends on how much of a baller you are.

CzarV

http://www.lamin-x.com/8oz-Lamin-x-U...nt-p/303-8.htm

Never used this, but saw this while searching for headlight films... sounds like this will be the best product for uv protection.

Anyone ever use this stuff???