Gio37

iTrader: (1)

So I decided to clean up my headlights…..my buddies at the SoCalVQ GMR meet were nice enough to point out some yellow oxidation and scratches on my headlights

Anywho…the material I used:

• 2000 grit sand paper
• 1000 grit sand paper
• Polishing compound 4500
• Bucket
• Water
• Spray bottle
• Cordless drill
• Mini polishing pads
• Headlight lens sealer (blue magic)
• Masking tape

Here is a picture of the before:



I started by using a bucket with water to soak the sandpaper for about 10 minutes


Masking tape and lubricate the lens


Always keeping the lens wet by either a spray bottle or dipping the sandpaper into the bucket with water.

Started with the 1000 grit sand paper for the worst damaged areas




After some sanding I cleaned the lens to see if it needed any more sanding


Moved to the 2000 grit paper


This is what is looks like after all the sanding


I then used a cordless drill with mini polishing pad using the 4500 polishing compound.




After polishing I removed the tape and cleaned the lens:





Added some blue magic lens sealer


Passenger side before & after

warped ideas

Good work. I'm starting to get some oxidation as well. I think in a month or so after I settle in from all the other things I'm doing, I'll be doing this as well. Just did this two months ago to my F150's aftermarket Halo projectors.

2fly4em

Sick DIY!!

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

Nice DIY Gio, I've done a few of these and followed the same steps except used a Random orbit buffer w/ a polishing pad & maguiars Ultimate polish. Never tried the
Blue Magic, does that restore the UV protection that's in the factory finish?

Gio37

iTrader: (1)

Thanks.

Thanks.

Thanks Brad.
This is my first attempt at restoring headlights and Im pretty pleased with the results. I also have a Porter Cable 7424XP but decided to use the smaller pads with my cordless.
The Blue Magic sealer should keep the lens clear & bright, protect lens from UV rays and prevent it from yellowing & hazing.

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

I think the Blue Magic will be on my to-do list, thanks for the heads-up.

Black Betty

iTrader: (60)

Sticky.

Great write up thanks for sharing it. I've done quite a few of these. There's some things I'd add from my experience.

Wet sand in one direction. Then the opposite direction with the next finer grit. Very important to always keep it wet and rinse away grit periodically. I use soapy water. You can use different grits, I prefer to use 1500, then 2000, then 3000. It leaves an extremely smooth surface that requires less polishing. They'll be very white and hazy but polishing fixes that.

Like blnewt I also use a random orbital polisher with 4" pads. Orange pad with a cutting polish followed by white pad with finishing polish.

Presto

Thanks for the write up. Very useful

Can the same pads be cleaned and used on paint later?

Black Betty

iTrader: (60)

Definitely. Just clean as you normally would after use and use them again on paint or whatever else you polish.

Gio37

iTrader: (1)

Thanks BB - Great tips

Bota36

iTrader: (1)

Great write up Gio. It'll be so helpful for the folks that need it. Hazy headlights are the worst!

dtran2714

iTrader: (6)

Good work!!

KaliG

Ok I want to do this myself, not afraid of the work. I am afraid of the sanding process, I don't want to f' up...so when I get to this step how often do I wet the sand paper or lenses it self?? Or do I keep water running on the headlight while doing it??

Thanks guys

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

Just keep a spray bottle w/ you and keep misting the light every 30 seconds or so as you sand. Also have a bucket handy to rinse the paper every now & then.

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