Scott Simoncic

Hello friends,

I know there are a few vendors here that do vinyl wrapping, and I do not want to step on their toes, and I do not believe I would be with this DIY.... Though you *Could* use it for vinyl wrapping... Just stay honest and use the wonderful vendors. What I would like to offer is this.... I do quite a few headlamp resto's for people, and myself, as well as tinting some taillights, side markers and headlights for friends and myself. I just restored my headlamps, and, as a general rule of thumb, I apply clear vinyl adhesive to protect, and it really does stop any future yellowing... I've tried clearcoating in the past, and, though I'm highly skilled at pain, wetsanding and buffing, the heat and road debris is hard on most available clearcoat products. So, would anyone be interested in me placing up a diy on how to properly apply clear vinyl protectant (similar to clear bra material) to your freshly restored lights, or, already perfect condition lights? The result turns out like this: And Stays that way for years!

wasp01amg

i am interested in a DIY, in fact how about a DIY on the restoration process as well.

sick430

YES!!!!! my headlights look like SH*T, but I haven't restored them as I know they will yellow again in a few months.

This would be awesome and very much appreciated.

Scott Simoncic

Ok guys.... I will work one up for you.... The resto will be a little smaller scale as mine are already done, but I still need to do the fogs.... So I will show you how to do the fogs. Those are easy to apply the film, the headlamps are a little harder due to the curves, but I will remove the film on one of mine and re-apply it so I can hopefully help others.... I will be receiving my tinted film so I will post with me applying it to the white portion of the taillamps as well as the mirror repeater lamps.... In fact, I need to restore those, and they have complex curves so I'll just do the DIY on those, and you can apply it to the headlamps too.... If anyone is in Northern CA... I will do it for you for the purpose of getting a full DIY up here, you just have to cover the cost of the film, which is about $6 bucks and the sandpaper which is another $12.

I ordered the film from this seller and it was really quick shipping, but, you can really just copy the specs search ebay for the closest seller to you and it is the perfect amount to do a W208 Fogs, Headlamps, High Beams and Mirror Lights. http://www.ebay.com/usr/automanic-us...78.m2749.l2754

By the way, mine weren't terrible, but there was some "scabbing" I like to call it starting at the top... But I've restored completely opaque lights before and it's the same, you have to take it down with 400 wet, the 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, then I use a rotary with cutting compound... I will post before and after here:

Before:


After:




These were my 430 after 2 years right before I traded it in:

Scott Simoncic

Planning a norcal trip? I'll do yours for you for just material cost. Just saying.

desired_speeds

I've sanded mine so many times and while its pretty clear, it still has a yellow hue. I really want that bright clean/clear look.

Scott Simoncic

You have to go deeper than most can stomach, and you have to sand, and buff the edges that most neglect. Most kits / whatnot won't get you where you need to be, you actually may need to go to 320 wet, then 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 then use a rotary. Most people can't stomach going down to 320, but it's necessary for some lights. I wouldn't go 320 on the edges, I'd go to 600 on the edges... It can be a process. Yours can be crystal clear without yellowing. Nice W211 BTW

sick430

Hey Scott, thanks for the offer, I was in SF three weeks ago. I might go up again after I get the tune and see that the car is running perfect with the 55.

Man shes a beast with the 55 in her now! Only wish I would have done this earlier. How do you like the 55?

Scott Simoncic

It's fantastic... No other word for it.... I absolutely love this car! I loved my 430, but the 55 was what I had originally wanted, and getting it finally has been a dream come true! Too much fun man, I can see myself getting into trouble with this thing.