How far can you restore headlights?

B

backwoods_lex

New member
It is one of the areas that I would really like to improve on. There are a variety of damage levels out there, and I was wondering how much luck you guys have with bringing back trashed and heavily oxidized headlights? Anyone get it 100%?



To clarify, I mean the headlights that require 400 grit (and sometimes lower) sanding. Deep oxidation. Thanks guys.
 
IMG_3766.JPG
 
Thanks! Some of the worst that I've seen in person. They actually seemed worse in person than in the pictures. They came out perfect and still appear that way.
 
A pure polish or polish without abrasives is the first thing I go to and that usually works wonders. I use it on my motorcycle wind screen and it comes out great.
 
SpoiledMan said:
IMG_3766.JPG
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Wow that is amazing!!!



Danase what kind of polish would your recomend? I have been using Megs PlastX but it only does so much. I still have a small haze spot on my light that I would like to make crystal clear.
 
You can use brass or Silver polish . It sounds of the deep end but it works incredible well.



Give it a try and you will very very impresed .





Cheers , Jean Paul
 
I've got a friend with a Civic with badly hazed and yellowed headlights. I'd love to know if Menzerna /Optimum Compound and the like with a UDM can be used, and to have suggested process.
 
I got started doing headlights using this headlight kit and training from Rightlook:

ClearLights Kit - DA2150



Sure, it is a little on the expensive side, but their oxidation remover is excellent.

First, clean with a solvent. Then, wet sand starting at 600 -> 1000 -> 1500 -> 2000.

You will notice while you are wet sanding that the water coming off the headlight is yellow. Keep sanding with the 600 grit until the water turns white. Then finish off with a medium to light polish (The RL Oxidation Remover, but I now use HT Medium Cut) staring with an aggressive cutting pad working to a finishing pad. I use small 3" pads on my DeWalt cordless drill. Protect with some sort of plastic protectant (The RL Shine Restorer & Protectant is also excellent).



This works for the worst headlights that I have seen. Some cars just need light polishing and no wet sanding. This also works great for faded tail lights, cyclops lights, etc.
 
Thanks for all the compliments guys!



I'm out of town at the moment and posting from my Treo. I did post this car in the C&B in July of last year with all the details(I think).
 
MDRX8 said:
Nice pics but what is lacking is HOW did you restore the headlights??????????
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Multiple wetsanding steps(4000, 8000, and 12000 i think) and polishing with the rotary.



Also, some headlights are not restorable, an example would be the passenger headlight on my girlfriend's Rav4, where the damage was actually IN the plastic, rather than on it.
 
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