[demetri90]

So I attempted to clean up the headlights a bit due to yellowness, but ended up making it worse. I'm wet sanding using 1000-grit sandpaper, and Meguires Plastix. Seems like I need a higher grit sandpaper as I still see scratches.

What are you guys doing to clean up these huge headlights?

 

[cyclehead]

Use 600 grit, then spray with this UV coat.
link

 

[kaustein]

Again I had them done by my body shop friend. Turned out very nice. The key is the UV coating that needs to be done.

 

[Pomonified]

Try glassylite it worked pretty well for me. ^_^

 

[pelinors714]

from what i remember in the 3m kit... its 500 grit DRY sanding, then 800 grit DRY sanding... then a 3000 grit WET sanding. Heres a link to the 3m restoration kit instructions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t1RBw0IGXA

 

[kaustein]

Mine were so bad, running your fingernail across them would make that area clearer. Here are some pics. The last one is the best, but you get the idea. I think he charged me $35 for it

 

[cosmin]

Get a 3M headlight restoration kit. I think it's about 35 or 40 bucks. The first couple of polishing pads are rough and it looks like the pictures you posted. Work your way through the pads and they'll come out like the picture above my post.

 

[iwannabswiss]

Wet sand 1000 grit, wet sand 3000 grit, polish with Meguiars Plastx, then treat with Meguiars headlight protectant. Just buy this it has it all together.

 

[ThangCu35]

I'm not really a big fan of the restoration kit. They tend to haze up again after a couple of months. I like the UV spray method. That's perma fix.

 

[kaustein]

I'm not really a big fan of the restoration kit. They tend to haze up again after a couple of months. I like the UV spray method. That's perma fix.

You have to restore them to a clear condition before you UV them. It's a liquid coating that is applied and hardens under UV light. Same type of coating that it put on poly lens after the scrip is generated and polished.

 

[titleist]

They can be cleaned with toothpaste and a rag with very little effort. $1.99

 

[NitroMidgets]

Do you know anybody who paints cars? Have them remove the haze and then spare them with clearcoat. Problem solved.

 

[kaustein]

They can be cleaned with toothpaste and a rag with very little effort. $1.99

Agreed. And it gives them the nice minty smell we all desire!

 

[sh4branze]

I use Blue Magic.It cost about $5 and works good but I have to re do them every 3-4 months on my daily driver.It only takes me 15 minutes to do both sides so it's not a big deal to me.The $5 bottle will last you years.

 

[cyclehead]

....What are you guys doing to clean up these huge headlights...

hahaha. Ten posts, ten different opinions.

 

[DaSpyda]

Yep, the key is the three-four grits of sandpaper.

 

[SuperWhiteGT4]

I used a few different headlight restoration kits, and even tried to have mine professionally cleared once.

Then I just ponied up the $130/ea and replaced the headlights.

 

[plebian]

hahaha. Ten posts, ten different opinions.

Yah, now if only someone knew how to fix stress cracks in 'em...

 

[southerneditor]

If my headlight covers were clouded and so forth, I'd buy new ones. It appears to be the case that you can remove the problem lights, bake them in the oven, separate the covers, sand them and so forth with all kinds of grit paper and do this and that and then put them back together and some people have reported good results from that.

The fix, such as it is, doesn't seem to hold up all that long.

Instead, I'd replace the entire housings and go with new. Regularly apply Tung oil and try to keep the car out of sunlight as much as possible. Garage it, park under trees, whatever, but avoid letting the sun beat down on them when you can. (My '01s are showroom new and look great.)

 

[Zduece]

^ Why would he crack the headlights open to fix the hazing when it is the outside of the lens that's the issue? Regardless I have had good success with most the various name brand headlight kits on various cars I have done.