Extreme Oxidation
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,242
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From: Canada
2004 E55 AMG
Extreme Oxidation
Hello, All
My car's headlights are suffering from extreme oxidation and I tried Mother's kit to buff it out but didn't work at all. By mistake tried a product which had gasoline in it and made it worse.
Canadian Tire says it will cost 157$ to fix it but cannot guarantee how much better it would get.
Do you think I should just pony up almost $450 and get new headlights ?
Well there would be installation costs too or just take the risk and check it out how it will look first ?
something like this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/03-06-BENZ-W...47df3e&vxp=mtr
Also since the headlights are Adaptive , like they move when I start my engine, that would still work with the new ones right ?
My car's headlights are suffering from extreme oxidation and I tried Mother's kit to buff it out but didn't work at all. By mistake tried a product which had gasoline in it and made it worse.
Canadian Tire says it will cost 157$ to fix it but cannot guarantee how much better it would get.
Do you think I should just pony up almost $450 and get new headlights ?
Well there would be installation costs too or just take the risk and check it out how it will look first ?
something like this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/03-06-BENZ-W...47df3e&vxp=mtr
Also since the headlights are Adaptive , like they move when I start my engine, that would still work with the new ones right ?
Last edited by viren.89; Nov 27, 2012 at 03:34 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Canada
2004 E55 AMG
I added pictures, it might seem like that could be cleaned by some water but the return to this condition once the water dries.
Also only little is salt rest is the oxidation itself. Is it possible for this to happen inside out ? As in like oxidize from inside ?
Also only little is salt rest is the oxidation itself. Is it possible for this to happen inside out ? As in like oxidize from inside ?
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From: NOMAD
EQS AMG, E53 AMG, GLE63s
have you tried buffing it out with a machine? My dad's lexus was same way and put a buffer on around 3000RPM and cleared it right up. Just need to polish them once a month is the only problem.
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Naples Fl, Lakeland Fl
2006 e55, 2005 S55
That can be fixed real easy less than 1 hour....i can tell you how to do it yourself , or go to a good detail shop should be around $100 to make them look new......oh 99 % is on the outside.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Canada
2004 E55 AMG
I did try buffing it out, and also did the sandpaper and all too, but didn't work. Well buffing I tried only for 20-30 secs and didn't see anything happening to stopped
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From: Naples Fl, Lakeland Fl
2006 e55, 2005 S55
start with 1200 grit sandpaper wet sand till its all even then move to 1500 then finish with 2000. after that grab some megs 105 and 205 buff with them at 2200-2500 rpms and that should make them look new.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Canada
2004 E55 AMG
Okay then I'll just drop the idea of getting new headlights. I was just not sure if they were on the outside or inside.
Thanks all
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Canada
2004 E55 AMG
thanks man
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: S Florida
01 audi a4, 06 e55
I have tried many of the kits and methods and most work very well but the lights always dull out again in short time. Use the Sylvania kit, its the only kit I have found that you apply a UV protection barrier at the end to make the results last. It's been great on my audi lights.
Link to a post and pics on an audi site.
http://forums.quattroworld.com/a4/msgs/97478.phtml
Link to a post and pics on an audi site.
http://forums.quattroworld.com/a4/msgs/97478.phtml
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From: Bay Area, CA
2007 SL55 AMG
yea, you need some form of protection after you sand the headlight. I wetsanded my w210's headlight with 1500 grit then went over it with the sealant and its nice and glossy. Still a little bit of yellow but 80% improvement from before when it was just dull.
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From: Sleepy Hollow, IL
65 Chevelle Wagon w/ C5 frame, 08 ML63, 04 S600, 04 E55,(sold) 00 ML55,(sold) 98 C43-55K Swap
Wet sand and Buff is best. You are removing the mar resistant coating so afterwards they will scratch easyier however it's worth it I started with 1000 that 1500 then buffed with a high speed buffer. Treat it like paint.
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From: Chicago
03 E55 AMG, 06 Harley Road King Custom 06 Ram 2500 Cummins, 97 Firebird Race Car, 88 Cutlass Supreme
I was wondering if you could just get that protective plastic film over them after you buff them as well?
Something like this?
http://www.xpel.com/products/headlight.asp
The Lexus guys seem to like this stuff.
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/ligh...able-xpel.html
Something like this?
http://www.xpel.com/products/headlight.asp
The Lexus guys seem to like this stuff.
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/ligh...able-xpel.html
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Sleepy Hollow, IL
65 Chevelle Wagon w/ C5 frame, 08 ML63, 04 S600, 04 E55,(sold) 00 ML55,(sold) 98 C43-55K Swap
Some people like the films, clear coating them works well also. I just use a quality wax (zaino) and don't use anything harsh to wash them. The uv light from my understanding is what cracks them in the first place. A good wax will slow that process down. Kind of like the cheap clear coat on some 90's cars. Neglected ones oxidize and the clear coat fades. I treat it the same as the paint. So far so good, no haze or scratches on my polished ml lamps or my 04 s unpolished lamps but frequently waxed
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E55
I would say they are still repairable. My results are below using a 3M kit with 3000 sanding disc. Afterwards you should coat them with a uv sealant. Helmsman Spar urethane diluted with mineral spirits will do the job nicely.
From this...
to this...
From this...
to this...
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From: Southern California
E55 w/ goods, Z32 Project underway
Look it up via Google, never mind what many here have posted.
If it does not improve with cutting compound, sand it using progressive grit, this will take some time. You will also remove the UV protection. Again, google it up on how to properly apply a new UV coating. Did one set and it came out brand new but it does take a lot of time. Not a single dimple or scratch once it was done.
To be honest, I would not do it again, just buy new headlights, they are cheap.
If it does not improve with cutting compound, sand it using progressive grit, this will take some time. You will also remove the UV protection. Again, google it up on how to properly apply a new UV coating. Did one set and it came out brand new but it does take a lot of time. Not a single dimple or scratch once it was done.
To be honest, I would not do it again, just buy new headlights, they are cheap.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 7
From: Canada
2004 E55 AMG
Look it up via Google, never mind what many here have posted.
If it does not improve with cutting compound, sand it using progressive grit, this will take some time. You will also remove the UV protection. Again, google it up on how to properly apply a new UV coating. Did one set and it came out brand new but it does take a lot of time. Not a single dimple or scratch once it was done.
To be honest, I would not do it again, just buy new headlights, they are cheap.
If it does not improve with cutting compound, sand it using progressive grit, this will take some time. You will also remove the UV protection. Again, google it up on how to properly apply a new UV coating. Did one set and it came out brand new but it does take a lot of time. Not a single dimple or scratch once it was done.
To be honest, I would not do it again, just buy new headlights, they are cheap.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 618
Likes: 3
2006 CL600
The sandpaper is the best. I used the 3m kit on my wife's E430 and they look brand new. Then you MUST seal them or it will be back to crap in a month or two. Use this product:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blue-Magic-H...812#vi-content
$8.99 at O'reilly and do several coats, mine is holding up beautifully! Seals them up close to new. Great product and stops you from having to do it over and over. 4 detailing shops told me they use this as well.
And don't be afraid to use the 3M kit yourself, it's amazing and starts at 500 grit then moves up to rubbing compound in stages and then apply the above sealer.
My results:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blue-Magic-H...812#vi-content
$8.99 at O'reilly and do several coats, mine is holding up beautifully! Seals them up close to new. Great product and stops you from having to do it over and over. 4 detailing shops told me they use this as well.
And don't be afraid to use the 3M kit yourself, it's amazing and starts at 500 grit then moves up to rubbing compound in stages and then apply the above sealer.
My results:
