auto headlight restoration

[Meadow Skipper]

So, has anyone ever used any of those products for clearing up scratches and haze from your headlight lenses? After some research I ended up looking at kits for that from Meguiars (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HCOE72/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER), 3M (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AIZ5HY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER), and Sylvania (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429NKWK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER). The reviews seem to say that either some of it works some of the time for a while, or not, or much better.

OTOH I can get replacement sets for $25 (http://www.amazon.com/TOYOTA-RUNNER-ASSEMBLY-PASSENGER-2003-2005/dp/B0023VFCMU) to $90 (http://www.partstrain.com/store/details/Toyota/4Runner/Replacement/Headlight/2003/T100114Q.html?ptc=S1171391678W45d204bec356b&ptretoyota4runner20032005replacementt100114q103he) each. The spendy ones seem to be certified. Any serious drawbacks to getting the cheapies?

Looking forward to the collective's input on this pressing issue. TIA.

[xtrmjoe]

The restore products work pretty well but there is the potential to polish off some paint surrounding the headlights. Painters tape usually does the trick.
Replacements are the best way but will take more time and some tools to install. Time varys a lot by model but some are easy 5 min jobs and some are huge pains in the ass multi hour ordeals.
On the wires subi i did restore, on my older 98 Grand cherokee I bought replacements from jcwitney for cheap.

[AustinFromSA]

In my experience, the home restoration kits aren't that great. I've seen them work allright, but never seem to last all that long and still never look quite as good as replacements. You might get a year or two out of a good kit. Full replacements have been the only lasting solution I've found.

Any chance your car is still under warranty? The lenses on my '05 CTS were starting to get faded last year, and much to my surprise, the dealer volunteered to do a full lens replacement, covering it with the warranty! Score!

[Moeghoul]

Low tech solution I used is a can of Bon Ami, a nonabrasive household cleanser that I use on just about everything around the house that costs about $1 for a can. apply with a wet rag and use some elbow grease then rinse off and maybe repeat. I found it improved the lens.

[hutash]

...or tooth paste.

[oftpiste]

or pretty much any rubbing compound type stuff?

[PNWbrit]

...or tooth paste.

Doggie dentist.


or pretty much any rubbing compound type stuff?

Does that stuff work on teeth?

[oftpiste]

Doggie dentist.
Does that stuff work on teeth?

does for me, though bon ami is really the best whitener I've found.

[Crampedon]

My Tundra lenses got all foggy too. I went at them with the buffer and compound and got them pretty clear. Then I went a wee bit too fast and scored one deeply.

Found complete light assemblies on Amazon for $35 each with free shipping. Looked on some auto part sites and the were $250 plus each. These fit great, are super clear and way brighter. Took under 5 minutes each to install.

[Kim Jong-un]

For the more anal retentive here's one way to do it...

But these headlights cost $1000 pair, so if you can buy new lenses for $25-$90 it might not be worth this trouble

-------------------------


Some pictures of how it looked before :
http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5582.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5583.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5584.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5586.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5587.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5589.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5590.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5592.jpg

Step 1:
Put 800, 1000, 3000 and 4000 grit wetsandpaper in warm water to let it soak for at least 15 minutes.

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5594.jpg

Step 2:
Sanded down the lamps with 800 grit dry paper. Used hard pressure on the flat areas, and more firm on the corners.

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5595.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5596.jpg

Step 3:
Then continue with 800 WET paper.

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5600.jpg

Step 4,5 and 6:
Went on to sanding it with 1000 WET, 3000 WET and finally 4000 WET.

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5606.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5607.jpg

Step 7:
Then dry and polish it with 3M Perfect-it III Fast Cut PLUS and 3M green pad (1500-3000RPM)

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5617.jpg

Step 8:
Continue polishing it with 3M Perfect-it III Extra Fine Compound and 3M yellow pad (1000-2500rpm)

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5618.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5619.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5620.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5622.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5623.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5624.jpg

Step 9:
Finished off polishing it with 3M Perfect-it III Ultra Fina SE and 3M blue pad (1000-2500rpm)

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5625.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5626.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5627.jpg

Step 10:
Final step was to wax and protect the work using Zymöl Concours wax

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5631.jpg

Step 11:
Fitted back on to the car:

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5634.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5641.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5637.jpg
http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5646.jpg

Compared to the right side before :
http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5645.jpg

http://www.skotner.net/rrs/gfx/lamps/IMG_5635.jpg

[Meadow Skipper]

Replacements are the best way but will take more time and some tools to install. Time varys a lot by model but some are easy 5 min jobs and some are huge pains in the ass multi hour ordeals.
You make a good point there. I remember when I was going to change the plugs on my engine. "How hard can it be?" I thought. Took me an hour just to fucking find them - Toyota 1GR-FE. I'll have to research the replacement procedure.


IAny chance your car is still under warranty?
2003, so...no. But nice score on your part.


Low tech solution I used is a can of Bon Ami, ... I found it improved the lens.
Hmm, I got a can of Bar Keepers Friend that we use on stainless steel in the kitchen because it doesn't scratch. Test time - thanks for the tip.


My Tundra lenses got all foggy too...Found complete light assemblies on Amazon for $35 each with free shipping. Looked on some auto part sites and the were $250 plus each. These fit great, are super clear and way brighter. Took under 5 minutes each to install.
Best news yet about the 5 minute install. My rig is a 4Runner so...how hard can it be? :wink: If that soft scrub shit doesn't work, I'm just going to replace the assemblies.

Kim Jong-un - I was going to say TL;DR...but I did read it. Nice work, but I really hope my project goes easier/faster. My 4Runner is a little bit more of a beater than your RR.

Thanks everyone.

[Mustonen]

I had a fender bender a couple years ago. The other guys insurance bought me one new headlight assembly out of the deal and the contrast between old and new was sharp enough that I bought another assembly to even it out.

Non-certified Assemblies were cheap for my car - but I found the fit wasn't quite spot on. Close enough that you don't notice unless you look, but maybe something to watch out for. Install on my Toyota Camry wasn't too bad, even though I had to remove the bumper. Once I got over the mental hurdle of "wtf? Remove the bumper for a headlight?" it wasn't actually too bad and went pretty smooth. Made my tired old car look 100% better.

[Meadow Skipper]

...Non-certified Assemblies were cheap for my car - but I found the fit wasn't quite spot on. Close enough that you don't notice unless you look, but maybe something to watch out for...
That's what I was wondering about. Thanks for that.

[AustinFromSA]

Made my tired old car look 100% better.

The difference of simply having new headlight assemblies really is remarkable. Made me feel almost like I had a new car again!

[hutash]

I just keep a layer of good wax on my lights and have never had an issue.

[AustinFromSA]

I just keep a layer of good wax on my lights and have never had an issue.

Good point. Very important, and I've seen that to be true. The only problem is when you buy a used car that nobody's waxed for 3+ years. You may not be able to see it, but the fading process has already begun by that point. So remember everyone, if you buy a new car, make sure you wax the headlights right off the bat. When I worked at a Porsche dealership long ago, they made us wax the headlights on every car sold. They'd also make us wax the plastic rear window on the convertibles (inside and out). That would make them last forever. People who failed to do that had windows that would fade something fierce.

[Meadow Skipper]

I just keep a layer of good wax on my lights and have never had an issue.
Like real wax like carnuba? I use Nu Finish (http://nufinish.com/products/car-polish) on my car's body - would that work?

[AustinFromSA]

Like real wax like carnuba? I use Nu Finish (http://nufinish.com/products/car-polish) on my car's body - would that work?

Yes. Not sure I would use Nu Finish.

[PNWbrit]

I thought Land Rover headlights were designed to collect rain water inside them and thus be useless as headlights anyway?

Only point in polishing them would be to use them as an aquarium?

[hutash]

I thought Land Rover headlights were designed to collect rain water inside them and thus be useless as headlights anyway?

Only point in polishing them would be to use them as an aquarium?

Diet coke in keyboard and nose now, damn it.

[jfost]

I thought Land Rover headlights were designed to collect rain water inside them and thus be useless as headlights anyway?

Only point in polishing them would be to use them as an aquarium?

the purpose of collecting water in the headlights is to facilitate a short in the main harness which is located underneath the dash in a concrete box with steel cladding and no removal screws.

[flipsRscary]

I used the 3m kit last weekend. Did every step wet, otherwise I followed the directions. Took about an hour, including removal and re-install.

The reason they go off again sooner is that the uv protective coating is now sanded off. Super OCD car nut co-worker recommends 3m “clear bra“ (which I have to admit turned me on until I learned what it was).

I'll see how it holds up, but for the moment it looks like new (seriously).

$16 for the kit (enough for two cars for me) $40 for the tape. vs. $560 for two new lenses on my car.

[unitofstuff]

A friend just used a Turtle Wax branded kit on his headlights. Final product looked good, and the kit included some finishing wipes that they included latex gloves to use with. Not sure how well it'll hold up over time though.

[Sinecure]

I used the thick clear bra stuff on my last car and it lasted about 9 years. No broken lenses, no hazing. A little grazing (very light scratches) from scrubbing off dead bugs, but I was amazed. Current car, I bought used. One headlight is all faded/hazy. I've been thinking of doing this. Now I'm inclined to look on Amazon/Ebay for a replacement.

[Jamespio]

I just did my 8 year old Honda headlight with a buffing wheel mounted in a cordless drill and some jeweller's polisht that I keep around for various purposes (in fact I keep finding new uses like fixing scratched CDs). It's the stuff that comes in big waxy bars. For my headlight I used the white compound. Took 15 minutes. Followed it up with Turtle Wax. Don't overthink this stuff unless youa re doing car shows or something.