How to glass headlight restore
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: L.A., Moscow, NYC, San Diego, Baja
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1998 E320 Wagon, 2003 W211 E500, 2003 W211 E500, 1999 W210 E55 AMG
How to glass headlight restore
210 E55 with glass headlamps needs restoration. Different from restoring plastic?
#3
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#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Use a DIY product called "wipe new headlight restore". Inexpensive and does an excellent job. Used them on the outside, and the inside of my w210 headlights (when I disassembled it). Also took away all the old fine-line cracking on the surface of the clear cover - both sides.
#5
Super Member
Wipe New will not last. Restore it properly if you'd like it to look good. If it's real oxidated, start by WET sanding (cross-pattern) with a 1500. It'll have a yellow hue when sanding, this is the oxidation being removed. Continue until the sanding is uniform & the residue has more clear/white appearance. It should start to look clear when wet, but when it dries it'll still be foggy.
Continue by refining the 1500 grit sanding scratches with a 2500-3000 grit wet sandpaper basically following the previous steps.
After this is complete, it'll be ready for polishing. I'd typically start with a heavy cut or medium cut polish & if there are very faint scratches & swirls after this, follow up with a finishing polish.
The most important step after this is to get those headlights protected. You can use a clear coat or something like a ceramic coating if you want superior longevity. If you don't seal the headlights, they'll look like **** rather quickly again.
Enjoy your fresh looking headlights
Continue by refining the 1500 grit sanding scratches with a 2500-3000 grit wet sandpaper basically following the previous steps.
After this is complete, it'll be ready for polishing. I'd typically start with a heavy cut or medium cut polish & if there are very faint scratches & swirls after this, follow up with a finishing polish.
The most important step after this is to get those headlights protected. You can use a clear coat or something like a ceramic coating if you want superior longevity. If you don't seal the headlights, they'll look like **** rather quickly again.
Enjoy your fresh looking headlights
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Applied the Wipe New inside and out 2 years ago. Sealed the headlights and car with chemical guys jetseal (claybar the car annually) once a year.
Never had a degradation issue on the lenses since.
imo, inexpen$ive solution.
We agree to disagree.
#7
Super Member
Originally Posted by khomer2
Applied the Wipe New inside and out 2 years ago. Sealed the headlights and car with chemical guys jetseal (claybar the car annually) once a year.
Never had a degradation issue on the lenses since.
imo, inexpen$ive solution.
We agree to disagree.
Never had a degradation issue on the lenses since.
imo, inexpen$ive solution.
We agree to disagree.
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#8
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Richmond, CA
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2001 E320 Wagon, 2006 LBZ Silverado, 2007 E63 (sold), 2001 E55 (sold)
It's very possible that eFifty5AMG's car faces rougher conditions than yours so the product did not last as well.
#9
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Mine are always garaged and in our climate (like Seattle), we dont have the humidity or heat/sun intensity like many other mb owners.
#10
Super Member
Valid point. However, my cars are garaged & don't see harsh weather daily.
It is worth noting that I used Wipe New as a standalone product. Did not use a sealant or coating over the top of it.
It is worth noting that I used Wipe New as a standalone product. Did not use a sealant or coating over the top of it.
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
Does what it claims and works wonders on the other exterior parts such as the rear C-pillars on the ML and on the black door pillar portion too. It's kept them pristine and has prevented any peeling of the oem clear coat (a common problem as it ages) when exposed to the elements. No special application needed, just wipe in on with a microfibre cloth and a quick buff.
#12
Super Member
Yeah, Jetseal isn't bad stuff. My go-to right now for sealant is Menzerna Power Lock & Adams Sealant. For coatings, I'm liking CeramicPro 9H & CarPro Cquartz. Will be trying some other ones soon.