What Do You Use For This?

"desertdog5051" (desertdog5051) 07/27/2014 at 21:49 • Filed to: None

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In this brief survey, I ask you to tell me what products or procedures you use to a). Initially clean a headlight lens. And b) What do you use to maintain it.

This will go directly to a friend who is not sure of what to do and thinks he has to take it to a "professional"

claramag, Mustaco Master > desertdog5051 07/27/2014 at 21:50

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*awaits a good answer because their headlights are worse than the 'before' listed above*

Bandit > desertdog5051 07/27/2014 at 21:52

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I polished my tail lights with tooth paste and followed with a layer of wax.

heliochrome85 > desertdog5051 07/27/2014 at 21:53

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meguires and 3m both make kits for this exact issue.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Bandit 07/27/2014 at 21:54

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does that really work?

Milky > desertdog5051 07/27/2014 at 21:56

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I used a bunch of sandpaper I had laying around and went from 500-3000 grit and then clear coated so it will stay nice forever. Its had to of been a month now and they still are like new.

EDIT: Also because I already had sand paper and clear coat laying around this cost me ZERO dollars. I'm a fan of zero dollar mods.

ttyymmnn > desertdog5051 07/27/2014 at 21:57

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I have used a product from 3M that you can get at Walmart. You have to ask because it's locked in a case. You will need some masking tape and a drill. It comes with a buffing disk that fits into the drill, two different grits of sandpaper and a polishing head with a tube of polishing compound. The two grits of sandpaper remove the yellowed layers and the polishing compound finishes the job. It looks worse before it gets better, but the results are great. It takes about an hour-and-a-half for both lenses. The kit is about $15-20. I posted about polishing my van lenses a year ago. If I can find it, I'll let you know.

lonestranger > desertdog5051 07/27/2014 at 22:01

1

As a former "professional" myself, I can't give a very good answer.

I've never tried any of the consumer headlight repair kits. I use my trusty Makita 9227C + wool pad + Farecla G3 + patience + experience, often followed up with a more mild polish & wax. If its really fubar'd, it needs a wet sand before the cut polish.

Bandit > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 07/27/2014 at 22:03

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Before and after. You can't tell the difference on the red parts but it made quite a change on the clear reverse lights.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Bandit 07/27/2014 at 22:06

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Ive heard that it works somewhat well, but its alot of work, my dads van needs it on the headlights and ive been hesitant to use toothpaste because I didnt know If it would work and I didnt want to put the time into an improbability.

ttyymmnn > desertdog5051 07/27/2014 at 22:06

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Here's my old post. Somebody added in the comments that you should follow with a sealant. I did not, and a year later they still look good, though not quite as good as when I finished.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/todays-project…

thebigbossyboss > desertdog5051 07/27/2014 at 22:06

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I am actually just about to do this (couldn't today was kinda raining) but I got a pack that came with some sand paper for wet sanding and then a polish for when it's done.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > desertdog5051 07/27/2014 at 22:09

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Back in my Mil Spec days, we would use Novus plastic polish on the windscreens of the helicopters, as well as the visors on motorcycle helmets. Stuff is pretty cheap as well! Pick up a cheapo harbor freight mandrel with the 3" foam pad attached and use the Novus. They have the 3 grades and you can give them a try. I did use the #1 on my headlights recently and it got rid of the buildup I was starting to get quite nicely.

Bandit > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 07/27/2014 at 22:11

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It took probably 10 minutes to do both of them. First wash the lens with water to get them clean. The. Put toothpaste onto a rag and polish the lens by running the rag it in little circles (like brushing your teeth lol). Once you feel like you polished enough, wash the lens again and dry it. If it isn't as clear as you want, polish again. If it is good, take some wax and use it just like you would for a car body.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > desertdog5051 07/27/2014 at 22:12

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Some asshole smashed my car's headlights a few years back, I don't remember how bad they were, but I got new ones for free anyways so I didn't really use anything to clean them up.

I'll see what advice pops up though, for when mine really do need to be cleaned.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Bandit 07/27/2014 at 22:12

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thanks for the tip, I guess its not as hard as I thought

Bandit > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 07/27/2014 at 22:12

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Oh, and use shitty toothpaste that has all that gritty stuff in it. The grit is what polishes.

desertdog5051 > ttyymmnn 07/27/2014 at 22:13

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Seems to have done a good job. I will probably have to hold his hand through the process so he does not get scared. I do mine monthly with just a drill and pad and some polish I get from a friend who does body work. Less than 5 minutes each side and good as new. But I have always attacked it sooner than later. I used to drive long distances at night and it became a necessity to keep them clear. Thanks for the tip.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Bandit 07/27/2014 at 22:13

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got it, like dollar store stuff then, right?

cabarne4 > desertdog5051 07/27/2014 at 22:14

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Agree with Milky, and Heliochrome85.

Either buy 3M's or Meguiar's kits. They cost about $20. Follow the instructions.

Or, do it yourself. All the kit is is a couple different grades of sand paper and some spray on wax. As Helio said, mask off around the light (so you don't accidentally sand your paint). Then wet sand starting at 500 grit, and working towards 3000 (just step down to the next finer grit of sand paper. 500, 800, 1000... etc). Make sure you keep the surface wet (spray bottle) as well as the sand paper (have a cup of water handy). For best results, alternate directions. So, up and down with one grit, left to right with the next, etc.

When you're done sanding, either wax or clear coat. Or clear coat then wax, but never wax then clear coat. You can get a spray can of automotive clear coat (and also sand paper and everything else) at just about any auto parts stores.

Milky > ttyymmnn 07/27/2014 at 22:15

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Bahaha, I went from 500 to 3000 grit just by guessing. Good to know thats what the kits are too!

hike > ttyymmnn 07/27/2014 at 22:16

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I use a similar product, but it's by Meguiars I believe. Used it on the Previa and it helped a bit and lasted too. Also used it on my dad's old Avalon, which we sold, so I guess it looked pretty darn good!

jariten1781 > desertdog5051 07/27/2014 at 22:20

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Removing the lights makes it way easier...otherwise mask it well.

I go 800, 1200, 2000 W&D. 800 wet, the others dry. Follow with Brasso then toothpaste. Same procedure I used on airplane canopies when I used to build plastic models.

Will make it as good or better than new as long as you're even and patient.

ttyymmnn > desertdog5051 07/27/2014 at 22:26

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My pleasure. First time I did it I was terrified I would screw it up. But the directions are clear, and the worst you can do is scratch the car. It's also easy to fling the polishing compound around. Depending on the car, I'd recommend popping the hood so there's less to mask off.

VeeKaChu > desertdog5051 07/27/2014 at 23:01

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Sand and buff . that's what I did.

120/220/500/1000/1500/(higher if ya got 'em.) Wet is best.

Then buff!

desertdog5051 > VeeKaChu 07/28/2014 at 00:15

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His are about that bad. Good to know. Thanks.

Buick Mackane > desertdog5051 07/28/2014 at 02:24

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There are many products out there to polish and remove the haze from headlights. The mistake most people make is that they don't know the headlight must be sealed after it is polished or the haze will come back, very quickly I might add.

Übel > desertdog5051 07/28/2014 at 10:46

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After trying a couple different products, I got the best results with the turtle wax kit.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits 07/28/2014 at 11:02

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Would that stuff work on instrument panels? Mine get pretty dirty, but every time I ever clean them they get scratched so I'm paranoid to touch them.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 07/28/2014 at 11:25

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To be honest, I don't know. I'm in the same boat as you are, those panels terrify me! Totally irrational, but I know what you mean. I can't see any reason why it wouldn't, but I would try it out on a junkyard first.

desertdog5051 > Buick Mackane 07/29/2014 at 18:09

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Good to know. (I did not know that). What do you use to seal it?

desertdog5051 > Übel 07/29/2014 at 18:12

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Good to know. I have been using Meguiars (sp). Perhaps I should try the TW. Thanks.

Übel > desertdog5051 07/29/2014 at 18:15

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The key for me was to really get forceful with the sandpaper and use copious amounts of the lubricant. I used the entire bottle to do both headlights.

desertdog5051 > Übel 07/29/2014 at 18:27

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Thanks.

Buick Mackane > desertdog5051 07/30/2014 at 01:21

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I was just at Walmart, saw a headlight restoration kit that included the pads, polish and sealer. Not sure but I think it is similar to clear coat sealer. The sealer will prevent the haze returning after you have polished the lights.

desertdog5051 > Buick Mackane 07/30/2014 at 18:31

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Thanks.