LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) Discussion topics related to the flagship Lexus LS430

Headlight Restoration on the budget.

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Old 05-09-10, 10:59 AM
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yuri.ber
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Default Headlight Restoration on the budget.

This Sunday afternoon I decided to restore my yellowed headlights. I was sick and tired of them being so nasty but didn't have time to get to it. So I bought this: http://www.turtlewax.com/main.taf?p=2,1,4,32
which was $24.99 at my local autozone.
Before:



After:




About an hour of work and $25 can make miracles. Everything was really straight forward - follow instructions and you'll be ok.
P.S. Shop quoted me $100 to restore both headlights.
Old 05-09-10, 11:02 AM
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yuri.ber
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After continued:
Old 05-09-10, 11:06 AM
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VegasIS300
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Wow! Good work! I heard if you put some 3m headlight film on it, it prevents clouding/yellowing again.
Old 05-09-10, 11:11 AM
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yuri.ber
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Originally Posted by VegasIS300
Wow! Good work! I heard if you put some 3m headlight film on it, it prevents clouding/yellowing again.
Thanks for the kind words. The TurtleWax kit comes with the special wet cloth with a soaked special liquid that prevents yellowing and clouding.
Old 05-09-10, 11:50 AM
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bonafyd
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It looks good but you could've gotten the same results for even cheaper.
5000grit sandpaper + water + Rubbing compound =done
Dip the sandpaper in water get it wet wetsand the lense,dry it off,apply rubbing compound & buff to shine.....for the nextime

Last edited by bonafyd; 05-09-10 at 11:54 AM.
Old 05-09-10, 11:54 AM
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Akito san
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Whoa looks great nice job!!!



>which kind or rubbing compound??? where to get it?

thanx
Old 05-09-10, 11:59 AM
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I use 3M rubbing compound but you can use any compound with a fine cut.
Old 05-09-10, 12:10 PM
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yuri.ber
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Originally Posted by bonafyd
It looks good but you could've gotten the same results for even cheaper.
5000grit sandpaper + water + Rubbing compound =done
Dip the sandpaper in water get it wet wetsand the lense,dry it off,apply rubbing compound & buff to shine.....for the nextime
I'm not cheap but the difference between $10-15 and $25 in your case and $100 and $25 in mine is pretty big, plus TurtleWax guarantees satisfaction. If I don't like it I can get money back. For me is better to buy specialty products for whatever I need to do and get less chance to screw it up.
Thanks for advice though
Old 05-09-10, 12:43 PM
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GLIDESUL
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yeah that look good, i think i need to do the same.
Old 05-09-10, 02:46 PM
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nice work - looks like new!
Old 05-09-10, 03:37 PM
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bonafyd
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Originally Posted by yuri.ber
I'm not cheap but the difference between $10-15 and $25 in your case and $100 and $25 in mine is pretty big, plus TurtleWax guarantees satisfaction. If I don't like it I can get money back. For me is better to buy specialty products for whatever I need to do and get less chance to screw it up.
Thanks for advice though
Did'nt mean to offend you just trying to help you & others save a few bucks in the future...the title does say "Restoration on a budget"
Old 05-09-10, 04:04 PM
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yuri.ber
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Originally Posted by bonafyd
Did'nt mean to offend you just trying to help you & others save a few bucks in the future...the title does say "Restoration on a budget"
In no way I got offended. I just think saving $75 off $100 plus getting some kind of guarantee is better than saving $5-$10 not knowing the outcome.
Old 05-09-10, 07:17 PM
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TJW98LS
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Wet sand it with 1500 grit... then wet sand it with 2000 Grit... then polish it with that stuff

Mine look like crystals because I wet sand and buff them about 6-8 months
Old 05-09-10, 07:49 PM
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Did you not mask the car before doing the work?
Old 05-10-10, 07:09 AM
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yuri.ber
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Originally Posted by airtime
Did you not mask the car before doing the work?
No, I didn't mask up the car. That nasty hole you see in the bumper will be gone soon with repaint of the bumper. What's the reason to protect the bumper if you gonna repaint it?


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