Anyone had any luck with those different cleaner packages? I have 1 faded headlight on my recently purchased car, and if I can save the cost of a new OEM xenon housing ($500+) then I'd be most happy.


This is how they look right now.

Right one is looking allright:


Left one is faded and need cleaning:


Sorry for making another topic, but the only post I found on this was from 2005.

 

There are kits you can buy that should bring it back or you can pay someone to do it. there was a post a few months ago about this and which kit they used i will see if i can find it.

 

Thanks, I've seen so many different kits so I just wanted to hear if any of them work, and if so, which one is recommened.

 

alot of people like meguiars restoration kit. But what me and my friends do at the paint shop is wet sand the headlight with a high grit like a 1000-1500, then with a buffer/polisher I use rubbing compound on the headlight, after that I use high gloss polish to clear it up and last use a glaze to finish it up. Takes about 15 minutes to both headlights, it takes a little a bit longer if your picky about how they look like I do, so I'll make sure all the scuffs are gone.

 

All of those cleaner kits, and high speed buff & polishing processes, only work for a short time until your stuck doing them again a year or two down the road.
A better way to clear them up ......that will last the life of the car....

Sand the Headlights down well enough to get all of the oxidation (Yellowed clear coat) off with 400 grit, then go up to 800 grit, Then a few passes with 1000 grit.
blow off the headlights with compressed air, then clean them with Windex and a lint free cloth.
Now just one to two passes with PPG or any brand automotive clear coat in a controlled environment, and your set.

I've personally done this to 7 sets of headlights and the outcome every time is Perfection.
Usually your local body shop will do this for between $40 to $100 a pair.

 

use 3m headlight restoration kit. It works very well. It comes with the drill adapter and all the various sandpapers needed. You can also find a video with instructions on youtube.

 

I had success with the 3m restore.. I'm not a fan of the sand paper method.. But like the other guy post if you can find a place that will professionally do it for 40-100 dollars I would recommend doing that instead. The last thing you want to do is have ****ed up headlamps.. as least if they screw up they are responsible to an extend of course

 

the 3m is the same method as sandpaper, just with a drill attachment. Here's the video 3m headlight restoration

 

Its any easy job phister said everything you need to do. There are many kits out there

 

Thanks for all the replies, I'll definitely try some of the suggestions.

On a different note: God I hate birds. Can't they go to the ocean to take a dump or something? (yeah I know, missing letters, replacements on their way in the mail)

 

after cleaning... try some 3M headlight protection film. I put them on my bixenons the same week I installed them. Its been 4 years and no fading... Hopefully it'll never happen

 

Cintoman posted a good thread on on cleaning up lenses DIY.

 

Honestly, try your local dealer. Mine were less than $100 to do both, and got the loaner while they did it. It really wasn't worth the effort and time I spent with it and a kit before I just had it done.

 

That's interesting. It's a job our dealers in SA won't take on. Do you know what product/kit the dealer used?

 

my local dealer offers this service too.

not sure what they use or how much they charge though...

I need to look into it as my euro bi-xenons are fading as well.

I'm a dumb ***, since when I got them from Steve, I also bought the x-pel protectors but never installed them. (this going way back to 2003)
it's still sitting in my closet.... now my headlights are faded.

 

I'd suspect the car had been in a front end collision on that side.

 

Mine are still as new but the car lives in a garage when not out in the African sun.

 

Tried a turtlewax kit from the local walmart for like $7. Helped a tiny bit, but not much.

 

The only way to really remedy the problem is to sand it down in stages and buff the shine back. It's how the professionals do it. It's actually very easy to do, and IMO not worth paying for.

 

+1 i still have a kit in the garage from doing my friends car

 

Any advice on stopping it from happening. Are their polishes with sunscreens that will stop or delay it from happening?

 

I've read of some plastic sealants that will help protect it, but I've been having trouble finding some. Instead, I just wax it occasionally and it seems to be working out well for me. My brother found a headlight restoration kit that came with a plastic sealant but I can't recall which one it was. Maybe Turtle Wax?

 

Yeah it comes with a sealant, and 4 stages of sanding pads. Maybe I'll give it another round as I see the first one helped a little bit.

 

Thanks - I'd like to seal mine before it even starts.

 

If that kit isn't really working to well for you, You should try the 3m kit instead. The sanding is more aggressive.