stemags

Does anyone have an effective application for removing the dull film that covers older headlite lenses? My 9yr old needs something that will last.I know wd40 is a qik fix but with all the choices out there I thought I would ask the experts.

RichardM98

I got really good results with a polishing kit from a co. called Micro-Surface (www.micro-surface.com). They make two kits for acrylic headlights. I prefer the manual one. No risk of creating a flat spot as with a power buffer.

I did mine over two years ago now and they still look good. Took about a half an hour per side.

saintz

You can start soft and work your way up (least damaging) or just go to the big stuff (cheaper than trying multiple):

1) Meguiars Plast-X will remove light hazing from plastic
2) Mr Clean Magic Eraser with Plast-X on it will remove more
3) Headlight kit with sandpaper will remove more serious issues
3) Headlight kit with drill attachment

Kits are available from Meguiars, Mothers, 3M, and others. I would wax after you sand, because you are taking the protective layer off the light.

stemags

Thanks Richard and Saintz for the responses,,I actually do have some Scratch-X that I bought some time ago,,but Im going to look into the items you mentioned,,,not afraid of using a drill/buffer because I think its gonna take something like that to get them nice and clear.

RichardM98

This is what mine look like 2 years after doing them. Prior they were so cloudy and yellow you couldn't see any detail inside.

https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...eadlight01.jpg

The Archman

Mothers Headlight restoration kit has ingredients for 2 methods. First use the liquid and the drill applicator for the easy fix. Then it also contains 4 grades of sandpaper used with the liquid to really get the oxidiation off. You still need to repeat the process periodically since the original oxidation has broken that outside original seal. I am in the same boat, but I am thinking of replacing the headlights with HIDs. The original headlights on my E 430 are just the halogens, and with todays technology, I would like to get more light out of my headlights. I just haven't found a good source for HIDs that will give me 4000 to 6000 ( I don not want blue lights, but want good white diamonds)

ohlord

the diy on www.benzworld.org w210 diy section.
before and after
then toss in some 65watt rally H7 bulbs and go night driving

stemags

Thats what Im lookin for Rich,,,I'd be thrilled to get em that nice...I looked into 3M and amazon is selling the whole thing for <$15 ....real reasonable I think. Meanwhile to Arch,,I dont blame you for wanting Xenons,,when the lense is clean they look good in 6000k,,,not too blue not too white

stemags

3 M restoration kit,,,$15 from amazon.com shipped with the pads and rubbing compound,,,thanks for the ideas and advice,,as usual this forum is terrific.

Musikmann

Those look great! Do you have any photos before you cleaned them up?

stemags

LOL nah,,,and its too bad too cause i got a new cybershot,,wunnerful camera.Thanks BTW ,,,I couldnt believe how well it worked.

kanana

my car has a transmission slip had oil gear oil change it stopped on the road and had to be carried to my house. the abs indicator also keeps popping up after we changed the shock what would be the cause as the launch machine of today indicates code P2503 gear is implausible and impermissible transmission ratio

RichardM98

Try starting a new post since your topic is different.

Ungarisch

no magical potion required, just gradually sand with 800, 1500, 2500 sandpaper then wetsand with 3000.. works the best and last the longest, I tired every method, and my OEM Xenons look brand new..

they used look like the non-xenon fluted before because they were so foggy, now they looks like this:

tikun

Check out my business Partner Jason Chan. He specializes in Headlight Restoration for Luxury Vehicles.
http://windshieldwonderllc.com

VARam1500

My in-laws recently gave me an '03 E500. The lens covers were so bad that there were some places that they were pitted like rusting metal. There was a scale that had developed on the drivers side light. Although the plastic was still stuck on tight, it looked like there were clear corn flakes glued on the lenses.

I bought a Meguiars kit that came with a little bottle of Plastix, the buffing head, sealant, and two polishing pads (1000 and 3000 grit). I also bought a pack of assorted wet/dry paper. I had to start down at 320 to get the scale off, but progressing through 400, 600, 800, 1000, 2000, and 3000....then using the Plastix...I got great results. I wet sanded with all grades.

91LTI

I just had a go with Meguires PlastX..... needs another go, or something else...

Came up much better however... Though still faded compared to some of the pics above!!

BEFORE




AFTER

Musikmann

PlastX is a good product but only if there is very little oxidation. 91LTI, as you stated, you need something more aggressive.

stemags

Yes that needs some cutting with abrasives,,the 3M system took 1 hr per side.Very impressed with it.

ravennexus

sorry for bringing up an old thread. only had my W210 3 weeks.

this is 2min a side with autosol metal polish by hand, not bad for a quick blast, need to do a bit of drill mopping with it to get them perfect.

siopaolover

looks good

Doolittle

+1 on the 3M product. I cleaned my headlights this past weekend and and very pleased with the results.

a_gulbs

this is going to sound really random but i got the idea from mighty car mods. if you use the outside skin of an avocado and buff your headlight with it, it eliminates the film and restores your headlight. it actually works ive tried it

pod210

Polishing is a losing battle - best to just replace the lenses if there is heavy oxidation.

PolarGlade

Listen to Ungarisch on this. I have used the wet sand paper method on six different cars. Including the E320. It is cheap and gets the results you are looking for. Any true hardware store will have at least the 1500 and 2000 grit. They go from yelllow to showroom. I did use the plast-x for the final polish.

Just keep your paper wet and do it by hand. Nothing like doing it right and seeing these kind of results.