Restoring/Polishing head lamp lens
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 64
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W210 E55
Restoring/Polishing head lamp lens
Last week I attempted to restore my headlights. I wet sanded with 800, 1500, and then 3000 grit sand paper. I then applied Megiaurs 105 and then 205 with my Porter Cable 7424 DA polisher. Below is the result after several passes.
Can someone point out on what step that I may have goofed on?
Can someone point out on what step that I may have goofed on?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,969
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From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
If your car is a '95-'99 (pre-facelift) you can buy replacement lenses out of Latvia on Ebay for ~$130 each including shipping. I have a DIY on how to replace the lenses on this forum and the other one. These lenses will only fit through MY99. MY 2000-2002 use different lenses that are not available. Plan on rewiring the inside of the headlights as the wiring harness has most likely degraded. Purchase an extension harness for connecting trailer lights for about $25 and use that wire. Be sure to purchase *Xenon* lenses and not the halogen lenses. Very different beam patterns.
If you stick with the above, I would say you hit it hard with the 800 and then not long enough with the medium and fine grit. It's a pretty laborious process.
If you stick with the above, I would say you hit it hard with the 800 and then not long enough with the medium and fine grit. It's a pretty laborious process.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,274
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From: Hawaii
1996 E320, 2018 Ducati Panigale V4S, 2012 1199 Panigale
Check youtube for some DIYs on how to re-clear your headlights. Polishing is only a temporary fix. You will need to re-clear or buy new if you don't want to have to keep re-polishing every month.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,396
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From: Bay Area, CA
2007 SL55 AMG
I hit mine hard with 400 grit until all the yellow is gone then gradually go up to about 1500 grit and get it clear coated by a shop. It looks about 85-90% like new and it won't yellow again for like at least 5 years.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 9
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From: Pittsburgh pa
97 e320 “w210”
Normally I clean the haze/yellowing from the headlights on my vehicles with a my mini 3 inch buffer-polisher wish a pretty abrasive cutting compound and then move my way on up to lighter and lighter compounds until there clear again then I wipe them off with a 50/50 mix of lacquer thinner & water because automotive lacquer thinner will damage plastics like the lenses for instance then like some other members said give it a nice protective layer of clear. This is just another way of completing this task...... the old saying goes there’s more then one way to skin a cat I just think this way is easier on my hands after having a plate and screws from a street bike accident
