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DIY: Headlight restoration

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Old 07-16-2014, 08:21 PM
  #16  
Gio37
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Originally Posted by portagepaws
Gio, excellent diy thank you!

Does anyone have feedback on how long and how clear the headlights stay? Guy I work with said he did a "similar" process to his Honda civic and they yellowed within two months. I am not sure what if any uv protection he used.

Thanks
Thanks.

I did this about 7 months ago and they still look very nice.

g/l
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Old 07-16-2014, 10:41 PM
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g37man29
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I am extremely afraid of doing this and ruining my headlights. Do you guys really feel comfortable that you won't sand this down to a like ruining level? Anyway to tell when to stop sanding?
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Old 07-17-2014, 01:51 AM
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Originally Posted by g37man29
I am extremely afraid of doing this and ruining my headlights. Do you guys really feel comfortable that you won't sand this down to a like ruining level? Anyway to tell when to stop sanding?
I highly doubt you ruining the headlights. Just keep the surface wet and you'll be fine.
Keep in mind that they'll be very white and hazy before you do the final polishing.

g/l
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Old 08-16-2014, 04:00 PM
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Finished this DIY this morning and am very happy with the results. I couldn't find a "4500 polishing compound" and instead used TurtleWax T-417. Very easy DIY to complete, just take the time to tape around the headlights and you can't go wrong. The one thing I would mention, that I didn't see mentioned in the DIY is to sand in one direction as to not create swirls or criss-crossed scratches.
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Old 08-16-2014, 06:00 PM
  #20  
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Very cool
Any pictures ?



Originally Posted by RavensMinded00
....The one thing I would mention, that I didn't see mentioned in the DIY is to sand in one direction as to not create swirls or criss-crossed scratches.
Actually this was mentioned by BB post #7

Originally Posted by Black Betty
Wet sand in one direction. Then the opposite direction with the next finer grit. "
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Old 08-17-2014, 04:23 AM
  #21  
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Where to find the 4500 grit polishing compound?
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Old 08-17-2014, 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Presto
Where to find the 4500 grit polishing compound?
I use this, works great!
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Old 08-18-2014, 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by g37man29
I am extremely afraid of doing this and ruining my headlights. Do you guys really feel comfortable that you won't sand this down to a like ruining level? Anyway to tell when to stop sanding?


These instructions are spot on. Used it on the last set of headlights that I sanded a hole into, LOL. JK...if you're getting some cloud or oxidation you'll be amazed at how much better they look after doing this. Don't pay someone to do it either - you have the skills young Jedi!
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Old 08-20-2014, 12:22 PM
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Elco
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After polishing the headlights, i used Optilens on them.
GOOD STUFF!!!
It's been 3 months since i polished the lights,
The car was parked outside in the sun since then, and they are still VERY clear.
No signs of oxidation.
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Old 09-03-2014, 10:18 AM
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sLADe781
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Does anyone know where I can find the polishing kit shown being used here? I tried going to home depot but they said they don't carry it? O_o I have the chordless but don't have the pad stuff.
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Old 09-03-2014, 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by sLADe781
Does anyone know where I can find the polishing kit shown being used here? I tried going to home depot but they said they don't carry it? O_o I have the chordless but don't have the pad stuff.
I got my kit from Amazon
<b>link</b> link

g/l
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Old 09-15-2014, 08:57 PM
  #27  
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I have to agree that Blue Haze will be on my "to-do" list. Thanks for the DIY!

Anyone else know how long this lasts? My G does not need this just yet; however, my daughter's car needs a little TLC.
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Old 02-03-2015, 07:09 PM
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My headlights arent hazy but rather scratched up. A bunch of scratches. Will the 1000 and 2000 grit sandpapers suffice?
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Old 02-04-2015, 12:01 AM
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Originally Posted by tomro99
My headlights arent hazy but rather scratched up. A bunch of scratches. Will the 1000 and 2000 grit sandpapers suffice?
Depends how deep the scratches are, you might have to start w/ 600 then 1000 and finish w/ 2000 then a polish.
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Old 02-12-2015, 05:32 PM
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tomro99
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Originally Posted by blnewt
Depends how deep the scratches are, you might have to start w/ 600 then 1000 and finish w/ 2000 then a polish.
Okay cool. I'll pick up some 600 just to be safe. Also, in regards to the direction, is it okay to sand up and down. Or by direction, do you guys mean only up or only down?
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