When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
This is what I did on mine. Maybe you can just give it a try yourself. Its not hard at all and the outcome is worth it.
Headlights repair. You need wet/dry sand paper to start (800, 1000, 1500, 2000 grit.), 2 spray bottles one with a little dish detergent and one with just plain water. Tape around the headlight (painters tape), and using the dish detergent spray bottle, spray the 800 grit sandpaper and headlight, begin sanding. Sand in a vertical motion and you will see this milky residue coming off the headlight. You want to sanding and spraying dish detergent water to keep the area wet. When you feel like all the yellowish residue is off, spray regular water on the headlight, and use a 100% terry cloth to wipe away the area. The headlight should look very dull and faded. If the headlight still needs work continue with 800. Next bring out the 1000 grit and do the same process but this time if you started horizontally then go vertically, each sand paper change switching to back and fourth. When sanding with 1000, 1500 and 2000 you will noticed the surface becomes really smooth. Ones that occurs you can move to the next sand paper size. When you are finished wipe the headlight dry and again the headlight will look super foggy. Take out the polish that you have ( I used Chemical Guys V36 cutting polish and V38 final polish, with a Porter Cable 7424 Orbital buffer using two different pads (Orange and Black). Use the V36 or whatever cutting polish you have (Meguairs and mothers will work fine), and start polishing (either hand or buffer. Once that is done you will notice the headlight will look brand new. Wipe away the rest when done with a 100% terry cloth. Next use your V38 or Final Polish, and do the same thing. (both of these do not need to be any particular direction on both these steps I use a circular motion on my orbital buffer. When complete wipe away the access once again an d get out your wax. I used Meguiars Gold Class Carnuba Plus Premium Wax Paste. Carnuba is the best for UV rays and the only kind I use. A really nice one to get by Chemical Guys is called Butter Wet Wax, but mine doesnt come in until Monday. Wipe off the headlight using a 100% terry cloth, and inspect your work. You should see a brand new headlight! Sorry I know this is long but that was the steps to take for this from start to completion. Took me roughly 1.5 hours for one headlight lol.
If you wanted to go one more step at the end off all of this dont use wax and you can either buy 2K Clear Coat in a Aerosol can or take them to a paint shop and have them clear coat the headlights. They will stay clear for as long as you have that vehicle.
Where is UV coating removal solution? (First step)
Wax before UV coating (required) solution?? (final.step)
Where is UV coating removal solution? (First step)
Wax before UV coating (required) solution?? (final.step)
Check out the Sylvania Headlight Restoration kit.
Avoid piecemeal guesswork....
. Update The installer contacted me and is willing to redo the entire job. Must remove the clear coat and buff out the swirls. He's been doing headlights for over 10 years and I'm sure he doesn't want any negative press. The real question is will the 2nd try be the charm? Is he capable of doing better work and if so why not get it right the first time or am I expecting too much for a headlight restoration? Am I being too particular and or/OCD? I just like things right.
another vote for the sylvania kit. I used in months ago on my LX470 with very good results. Is it perfectionist? doubt it, but it looks great from up close and from a distance, and based on the engineering in the kit should last quite a while. think it was 20 bucks or so and a good hour of labor.
another vote for the sylvania kit. I used in months ago on my LX470 with very good results. Is it perfectionist? doubt it, but it looks great from up close and from a distance, and based on the engineering in the kit should last quite a while. think it was 20 bucks or so and a good hour of labor.
. Takes the professionals between 1.5-2hrs of a fair amount of elbow grease I prefer to pay someone at this point but thanks for the suggestion.
It looks like he forgot to do the final buffing/polishing stage to remove the fine swirl marks, before he applied UV protectant / clear coat, the final stage.
As the OP of this thread I decided to do a closer inspection of the headlights at different angles of the sun. I was standing right on top of each headlight. Not only are their various swirl and scuff marks, but in addition there are many foggy patterns that can be seen like pieces of a puzzle. Some of the patterns are extremely similar on both headlights in the same areas. Now that the covers are so clear I can see everything! I know these headlights are not completely sealed (to allow venting of heat and moisture) so I should expect over 16 years some outside elements will get in and adhere to the inside of the headlight cover. I have a feeling this is what I'm seeing in addition to any kind of imperfection from age as well as the restoration process. As previously mentioned from another member, it is quite difficult if not impossible to restore an optical lense cover to perfection and now that my headlights are so clear I am able to see additional flaws that were probably always there as well as those of the tech. The tech never came down to see my complaint in person, but is willing to do so. My feeling at this point is this...Is it really worth redoing what appears to be only part of the flaws in my headlights and maybe not the majority either? (There is always a risk of incidental damage). Many flaws will probably remain which are inside do to aging, condensation, etc. This is not a new headlight cover, just a reconditioned one to make clearer for appearance as well as function. It is so clear now it's almost like a microscope! I would never be able to post all the pictures showing everything I have discussed as many do not show in pics. In the shade and even in sunlight a few feet back the headlights look new. The difference from before the restoration process is quite dramatic. What do you guys think? Should I leave well enough alone?
This is your personal preference, and whether you are satisfied. You described swirl and scuff marks on the outside surface of the lamp lens, which typically is removed in a headlight resto process. Anything on the inside surface is, of course, not something that is the responsibility of the restorer. Surely, the yellow, cloudy outside surface has been eliminated.
If its bad enough that every time you go out to your car you think about it or notice it because it bothers you I would have them attempt to fix it. If you can live with it I would leave it alone. I think based on the post to begin with you aren't fully satisfied with the job, so I think you should have the tech come out and see if what you see can be fixed. You have nothing to loose and I know if I were you it would at least make me feel better knowing that it is something that can or cant be fixed. I'm sure the guy wants you to be happy.
If its bad enough that every time you go out to your car you think about it or notice it because it bothers you I would have them attempt to fix it. If you can live with it I would leave it alone. I think based on the post to begin with you aren't fully satisfied with the job, so I think you should have the tech come out and see if what you see can be fixed. You have nothing to loose and I know if I were you it would at least make me feel better knowing that it is something that can or cant be fixed. I'm sure the guy wants you to be happy.
Thanks for the feedback. I can only see the flaws by standing right over the headlights and looking in the direct sunlight. Yes, the tech did agree (without seeing the car) to come back and redo. I'll decide this week if I will dedicate a few hours and make the appt to have it done Thanks again for all the great responses. .
Guy came out. Not happy about redoing. Not sure I've made right decision to let him do it. Tells me that the scuff marks keeps the clear coat on....????? He doesn't want to guarantee the job from peeling in 2 or 3 years. Originally came with 5 year warranty. Never heard this in my life. Scuff marks are scuff marks and should be polished out. Not a professional for customer service, but he does a zillion cars. I'll cross my fingers he doesn't make them worse!
09-11-16, 09:33 PM
