CLK-Class (W208) 1998-2002: CLK 200, CLK 230K, CLK 320, CLK 430 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

Headlight restorer

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Old May 17, 2007 | 01:43 PM
  #1  
rodwilk's Avatar
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From: Bham, Al
98 CLK 320 03 ML500 04 SL 500
Headlight restorer

Is there a product that can restore/return the clarity to the head and driving lights on my CLK? Has anyone had any success? I bought the car used and now I'm upgrading and repairing the past owners neglects. I enjoy this car so much!! Thanks for any help

Rod
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Old May 17, 2007 | 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by rodwilk
Is there a product that can restore/return the clarity to the head and driving lights on my CLK? Has anyone had any success? I bought the car used and now I'm upgrading and repairing the past owners neglects. I enjoy this car so much!! Thanks for any help

Rod
whats wrong with them in particular?
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Old May 17, 2007 | 02:22 PM
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2000 CLK 430 Cabriolet
I presume you speak of the dreaded headlight 'clouding' or hazy effect.

Most of the posters here are on the lookout for new headlight sets. There are kits that can be had from your local auto store that address this issue (not sure of the name of the product though. I'll try to find out). My buddy with a 745i got a kit, used it, and although it was better, it wasn't close to new car quality. It also took a LOT of rubbing to get even that far. I have been told that brake fluid works too but also requires tons of rubbing. So it's either try the kit (or brake fluid) and take a day to rub your arm off, or save up for a new set of lights. BTW, you CAN NOT buy just the headlight lens. Hope this helps.
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Old May 17, 2007 | 03:03 PM
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Try toothpaste and buff it with a towel.
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Old May 17, 2007 | 03:07 PM
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Wet sand with....

1500 grit sand paper then buff it out with an orbital.
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Old May 17, 2007 | 03:09 PM
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There are several pastes available at parts stores that claim to remove the haze and yellowing of headlight covers. I have used Meguire's Plastix (or something like that) and it did remove some of the fine scratches and swirls...

Xenon headlights have a different and much clearer lens from the factory versus the standard halogen lamp assembly...so maybe thats why I didn't see much of an improvement. Repair shops have similar headlight restoring services available, and I think they use power tools to buff the haze out. I dont have any first hand experience with the "professional" treatment yet.
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Old May 18, 2007 | 01:38 AM
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i used 1000 grit then 1500 grit then buffed with a orbital looks like new

btw tape off your car around the lights so you dont scratch the paint
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Old May 18, 2007 | 03:46 AM
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HPF E46 M3 Turbo, LET C32 AMG
Could One Actually Make The Lens Clear Somehow?
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Old May 18, 2007 | 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by SETSEROCK
Could One Actually Make The Lens Clear Somehow?
Ummm.....Wow...
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Old May 18, 2007 | 08:58 AM
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What about this product? http://www.flitz.com/index.html
According to the ad on TV, that is one of its uses.
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Old May 21, 2007 | 02:32 AM
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CLK 430
Had the same problem with mine. Used 1500 and 2000 grit to sand them (using water), rubbed them a while with brake fluid, and then polished with rubbing compound. It did make a big difference but they will never look as clear as when new. Need to save up for new light and upgrade to HID
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Old May 21, 2007 | 10:10 AM
  #12  
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From: Bham, Al
98 CLK 320 03 ML500 04 SL 500
how do I know if I have a halogen bulb vs the HID7 bulb. I saw a a xenon system on ebay by Rikenvision. Can I just take the old bulb out and replace with this system?
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Old May 21, 2007 | 12:03 PM
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i used rubbing compound, then the flitz wheel on a makita drill...
then a buffing pad

worked pretty good...
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Old May 21, 2007 | 02:15 PM
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yo RODWILK and SETSEROCK....both ur cars look mad similiar to each otha lol
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Old May 21, 2007 | 06:33 PM
  #15  
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From: Bham, Al
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Looks like we have the same type of wheels, I have 18's, 24% window tint and I want the blue xenon lights. Our grills are different. The brother has a awesome car. MB today-MB forever.
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Old May 21, 2007 | 08:21 PM
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Hey Hersh! Hows the body work goin?
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Old May 21, 2007 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by rodwilk
how do I know if I have a halogen bulb vs the HID7 bulb. I saw a a xenon system on ebay by Rikenvision. Can I just take the old bulb out and replace with this system?
Your car left the factory with either H7 Halogen bulbs, or Xenons (HID) with D2R bulbs. If your car has factory headlight washers, it left the factory with Xenons. No washers = Halogens.
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Old May 21, 2007 | 10:28 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by MarcusF
Your car left the factory with either H7 Halogen bulbs, or Xenons (HID) with D2R bulbs. If your car has factory headlight washers, it left the factory with Xenons. No washers = Halogens.
Dumb question time. Why do the Xenon's need (or have) headlight washers?
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Old May 21, 2007 | 10:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Whodat
Hey Hersh! Hows the body work goin?
gettin her back tommorow!!...anxiously waitingggg
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Old May 21, 2007 | 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by deyainrdy4ds
gettin her back tommorow!!...anxiously waitingggg
Relax slim, your car is going to look good.
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Old May 21, 2007 | 11:01 PM
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*LOL* Freddy's str8 now so he can tell ppl to relax. I bet you were sweatin bullets when your car was in the shop! Looks hawt now doe!

Tomorrow? Wow. We're looking forward to seeing the new look!
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Old May 21, 2007 | 11:05 PM
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Originally Posted by acb3nz
Relax slim, your car is going to look good.
lol ahmad and tony got me all scared now afta reading their fitment issues at euromodder...

WhoDat - yupp..will def have pics up soon after..
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