by "Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
Published 01/23/2017 at 22:04
by "Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
Published 01/23/2017 at 22:04
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STARS: 4
While I flip you all off in these pictures, please enjoy the restoration of my wife’s headlights. That’s right, in these before, during and after pictures, you can see something we all want; Barry Meguiar having something to do with my wife’s headlights. And, a drill is required...
This is accomplished using the Meguiar’s headlight restoration kit. $19 at Wall-Marts. (Pronounced like any sensible person who grew up in mid-Missouri)
The directions are simple. Tape the headlights so the sand paper and compounds don’t mar the paint. Here’s the beginning. Driver’s right headlight:
There’s a hand-held knob type of thing. It’s black too. You hold it in your palm and by the magic of semi-velcro attachment, you put 1,000 grit sanding disc on the bottom and go to work wet-sanding. Afterward, you get this:
Now, replace with a 3,000 grit pad and do the same. So far, we see the results below. A foggy mess of gritty dust-water and damp, peeling tape:
After some drying and re-taping we now got on to the polishing compound with the buffing disc mounted to the drill. Going to high speed right away makes for many yellow fabric strands flinging all over the place until the cutting compound works in.:
With one done, I was pretty amazed. Continuing on, we get the finished product:
Total time invested? more than you really want to spend unless it’s a nice day with nothing to do but decompress after a bunch of crap in your daily life, where it’s not a bad time. It all ends with a “UV protectant coating” applied that does nothing that I can tell the difference with, but you’ve now got some freakishly new looking headlights. We’ll see how long my wife’s shiny and new headlights last.
(puns and jokes wherever found are intended)
Now, later when the weather is more consistent, I’ll work at removing the baked on sap drops the a**hole tree next door pissed all over our cars. (Thank god it was cut down this past fall)
If you don’t like the $19 and the time consuming multi-step process, you could just apply lacquer thinner thinly and lightly with a shop rag for nearly the same effect and save a ton of money. That’s what the pros do at the used car lots.
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
01/23/2017 at 22:11, STARS: 0
that is an awesome oppo post, (and my folks have RAV4 just like that, but blue and their headlights are getting a bit foggy..)
"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
01/23/2017 at 22:13, STARS: 0
The best part of this product is it lasts multiple uses. It’s honestly a really good result. much better than the turtle wax cheaper product and it’s tiny sanding pads.
"area man" (hurrburgring)
01/23/2017 at 22:15, STARS: 1
I enjoyed this review. More please.
“Pronounced like any sensible person who grew up in mid-Missouri”
Meh-gweye-err?
"DrScientist" (DrScientist)
01/23/2017 at 22:20, STARS: 0
how messy is this procedure? my headlights may require this and the entire units are easily removed with the pop of one holding bracket. so, will i need drop cloths if i want to do this in the warmth of my home? or can i just do it on the kitchen counter and clean up with some paper towels?
"facw" (facw)
01/23/2017 at 22:20, STARS: 0
UV protectant is pretty important. The lights fog because of UV light, and so without a protectant, they will cloud up again quickly (especially since the polishing will have removed any of the original UV protection left).
"Rico" (ricorich)
01/23/2017 at 22:27, STARS: 0
http://jalopnik.com/why-do-we-always-blur-license-plates-on-the-internet-1691298199
"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
01/23/2017 at 22:48, STARS: 0
Kitchen counter, over some newspapers oughtta be fine. The drill polishing might have a bit of fibers.
"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
01/23/2017 at 22:50, STARS: 0
Muh-gwy-err
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
01/23/2017 at 22:52, STARS: 0
Good oppo!
"area man" (hurrburgring)
01/23/2017 at 23:14, STARS: 0
I enjoy regional spellings
"Deal Killer - Powered by Focus" (dealkiller-ii)
01/23/2017 at 23:39, STARS: 0
I may have to try this on my wifes Chrysler T & C. I had to replace a headlight unit that was cracked, and the one I pulled from the junk yard was actually in nicer condition than the good one that remained on her van. Now, there is one clear and one cloudy headlight. Looks kinda weird.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
01/24/2017 at 00:20, STARS: 0
I like the kit, I’ve used mine on 3 or 4 cars with great results. As for the sap, rubbing alcohol should wipe it right up. You need to let it soften it up a bit, but then it comes right off. Nicely done btw.
"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
01/24/2017 at 00:34, STARS: 0
Thanks.
I’ll have to wait till summer mid-day for the alcohol removal of it. It’s been baking a few years. The tree was relentless. Spent a bunch today on care products so I’m ready after I remove the junk for the wash, compound, polish, wax steps and it might look really good again....someday...