Restoring fogged headlamps
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 51
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From: Phoenix
'99 CLK 320 Cabriolet
Restoring fogged headlamps
One of the simpler and more cost effective projects for my CLK that I've been able to accomplish since I bought it 2 months ago is restoring the faded headlights. I looked online and saw diy ways to accomplish it using regular wet sanding and rubbing compound. In Walmart the other day I saw a headlamp restore kit from Turtle Wax for $8 so I decided to spring for it, figuring by the time I went and bought sand paper and rubbing compound it would be about that much.
So I put it to the test and I love the results. A simple job that anyone can do. It didn't restore them to "new" but light years better!
So I put it to the test and I love the results. A simple job that anyone can do. It didn't restore them to "new" but light years better!
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Nebraska
99CLK320,
FWIW. I did the wet paper thingie and got them in pretty good shape too however, I bought Aristocrat High Gloss Epoxy for about $10 + shipping. You can find it online. Mix a small amount and use a VERY fine paint brush(avoids small bubbles)to apply it and it's almost better than new.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1
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From: SF BAY AREA
2002 CLK-430
Hey dlberhns,
Do you have pictures to show :P i just wanna compare. Because I heard when you do the wet sand paper rubbing technique your scratching off some UV protective layer. And I also heard, some people use toothpaste, i.e youtube. I would appreciate it and have a good thxgiving. Thanks
Do you have pictures to show :P i just wanna compare. Because I heard when you do the wet sand paper rubbing technique your scratching off some UV protective layer. And I also heard, some people use toothpaste, i.e youtube. I would appreciate it and have a good thxgiving. Thanks
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Nebraska
99CLK320,
hvn, I don't have any before an after pics but I can tell you that after, they look better than new with the epoxy clear coat. as far as a UV protective coating(?) if there was one there oem then why did the lense turn gray in the first place? after working down from coarse to fine paper I buffed them with rubbing compound and then put the epoxy. Tootpaste is abrasive, some more than others, most have sugar in them so I wouldn't go there.
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 51
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From: Phoenix
'99 CLK 320 Cabriolet
The Turtlewax kit I used came with wet sanding pads, lubricant (probably just water), rubbing compound, and a sealer to throw on after all is said and done. I'm sure other off-the-shelf kits would have similar pieces. Just easier for me b/c it all came in one kit, and there's enough left to do it again on another car if needed
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Isleworth Nr London UK of A
W208 CLK55
hvn, I don't have any before an after pics but I can tell you that after, they look better than new with the epoxy clear coat. as far as a UV protective coating(?) if there was one there oem then why did the lense turn gray in the first place? after working down from coarse to fine paper I buffed them with rubbing compound and then put the epoxy. Tootpaste is abrasive, some more than others, most have sugar in them so I wouldn't go there.
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Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 179
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From: Isleworth Nr London UK of A
W208 CLK55
