Headlight restoration
 

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 :icon27:

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:
Attachment 149049


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


Masking tape and lubricate the lens
Attachment 149050

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
Attachment 149051

Attachment 149052

After some sanding I cleaned the lens to see if it needed any more sanding
http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3505fe7c.jpg

Moved to the 2000 grit paper
Attachment 149053

This is what is looks like after all the sanding
Attachment 149054

I then used a cordless drill with mini polishing pad using the 4500 polishing compound.
Attachment 149055

Attachment 149056

After polishing I removed the tape and cleaned the lens:

Attachment 149057

Attachment 149058

Added some blue magic lens sealer
Attachment 149059

Passenger side before & after

Attachment 149060

Attachment 149061

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.

Sick DIY!!

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?

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.

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

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.

Thanks for the write up. Very useful

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

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

Thanks BB - Great tips :biggthumpup:

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

Good work!!

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?? :dunno: :dunno:

Thanks guys

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.

How long does it last?
 

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