Author Topic: Headlight restorers???? (Read 232 times)

KBMWRS · « **on:** November, 02, 2011, 09:22:05 AM »

So with these plastic headlights we all have now the inevitable happens, they get opaque.

There are multiple restorers out there. Anyone have experience in using any?

Mothers
3M
Diamondite
CV Headlight restoration
Pittman's Original ALR
New Life Auto Lites

6t6red · « **Reply #1 on:** November, 02, 2011, 09:25:54 AM »

I just use rubbing compound and elbow grease.

67 evil eleanor · « **Reply #2 on:** November, 02, 2011, 09:34:35 AM »

Yeah, and if you have a buffer, a foam pad and "fine cut" compound works great. It will last where some of the purpose made "stuff" doesn't.

RustyRed · « **Reply #3 on:** November, 02, 2011, 09:55:45 AM »

Last time I was at my buddy's shop helping out I saw him lightly wet sand with very fine sand paper a set of headlight lenses on a Mercedes, then buff it worked great.

I asked him if he had ever tried any of the restore kits and he indicated to me most of those products were junk that didn't work.

cmayna · « **Reply #4 on:** November, 02, 2011, 10:55:27 AM »

And anyone who has been buffing the helmet as long as you have KBMWRS, should be able to buff out the plastic really good.

guruatbol · « **Reply #5 on:** November, 02, 2011, 06:12:08 PM »

You can use an abrasive tooth paste and a polishing ball if you want to. Here is what I have learned after several months of doing head light restoration at our shop. We use 3M at work, but you have to remember to use the UV protectant or the lights will fade again quickly.

I did the lights on my truck with the 3M and an air powered orbital polisher.

It really doesn't matter what type of compound you use as long as you realize you will be removing some of the plastic material and you need to remove as little as possible and protect it from the UV rays.

Some abrasive compounds are harsher than others, so read the labels.

Mel

JeffTepper · « **Reply #6 on:** November, 02, 2011, 07:19:14 PM »

I used the Mother's kit on Lynn's Passat and it worked great! This is the one that requires you use an electric drill/driver for all steps

tarafied1 · « **Reply #7 on:** November, 02, 2011, 07:21:10 PM »

I used a kit from Advance Auto that included various fine and finer grit sandpapers, polish, gloves etc.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Headlight-Restoration-Kit-Sylvania_10027404-P_N3312Y_T%7CGRP2074_____
I used it on the 93 LX and it worked very well
before

after

Starfury · « **Reply #8 on:** November, 02, 2011, 08:12:57 PM »

The 3M kits work very well, and you can do multiple vehicles with each kit as long as you're careful. The nice thing about the 3M kits is that they allow you to sand the plastic flat before polishing.

But yes, you do need some sort of UV protectant after the work is done to prevent future hazing.