Turtle Wax Headlamp restorer review

[2g Talon]

OK all, since I couldnt find a place where this properly belonged (like a parts review section.. or anything similar to said title) I'll put it here :)


So for those of us who own our 10-20 year old cars and cannot afford to spend the $200+ for new headlamp units, I decided to try Turtle Wax’s Headlamp restoration kit. This kit comes with the following:

1 Bottle Restorative rubbing compound
1 Bottle of lubrication spray (similar to soapy water)
3 sanding disks (ranging in grit from heavy to very, very fine)
1 plastic disposable glove
1 packet of headlamp seal (it’s kind of like a resin, but on a wiping pad)

MSRP : about 10-12 $ at your local parts store

The instructions are on the side of the box, and are VERY easy to read! I’m pretty sure you can give this kit to your 5 year old, and with reasonable common sense even they could figure out how to use it! I’ve compiled some photo’s to go with this review and I must say, the pics speak for themselves! I would recommend anyone who is debating either wanting to clear up their headlamps or debating buying new ones!

Ben:wiggle:

[2g Talon]

Ooops.. forgot the attachments. Enjoy :):roll:

[Big_Jim]

they look pretty good. interested to see how they hold up over time.

[VETTE_50_TH]

Ive used the 3M kit on my sisters passat and it turned out ok. I was also using a air tool to use it so controlling the speed was ardious. But after a few weeks, the outside started to spider web a bit. Might have to hit it again. I even used a compound to protect too.

[jesse096]

Is there any residual hazing? Like did it only take off the top, yellow layer and leave behind a foggy layer? ( for lack of a better term)


-Jesse

[VETTE_50_TH]

Is there any residual hazing? Like did it only take off the top, yellow layer and leave behind a foggy layer? ( for lack of a better term)


-Jesse

A hazed headlight can be restored. A fogged headlight needs taken apart.

[jesse096]

I know some products that take some of the yellowing off, but leave the oxidation, so they aren't completely clear but are better than they were, if that makes any sense...


-Jesse

[schaffer]

I had great results using the 3m kit. Used a cordless drill and spent about an hour per headlight. Have to dig up pictures from my wagon.


This was my 92 subaru legacy,photo is from the previous owners add. As you can see the headlight was pretty bad. I got it back to damn near factory new and it increased my visibility a good bit.

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w498/kyschauer/fa03e04a.jpg

[2g Talon]

None at all. I had mild yellowing on the headlamps, you can see in the 2nd and 3rd picture. In the 3rd pic only the left headlamp was treated, and the right was untouched. It leaves no residual of any kind on it, as that your basically wet sanding the lense down and then re-polishing it with compound and then coating it with a clear resin to protect it in the future. This was the first time I used it, and had tried an "As seen on TV!" brand, and this one worked wonders, hands down. IMHO this is the best results you can get without physically buying a new set of head lamps. Best $10 I ever spent. I can re-post some more pics tomorrow after the resin has cured if you'd like.

[2g Talon]

I did this all by hand mind you, so for those of you using the machine polishers, just be careful about speed and friction heat as you'll end up melting the plastic lol. From what ive read about this, the sanding basically removes the oxidized portion of the front lens, you can see when you start to wet sand that the liquid quickly turns yellowish/brown as it removes the oxidation. Then you basically keep wet sanding and go down to the very fine grit block, then just use the rubbing compound they supply, wipe it off then treat it with the resin. Looks beautiful, I still cant get over a set of 17 year old head lamps look like brand new. lol

[2g Talon]

I know some products that take some of the yellowing off, but leave the oxidation, so they aren't completely clear but are better than they were, if that makes any sense...


-Jesse

I know exactly what you mean lol. I used an as seen on tv brand of headlight restorer and it got alittle of the oxidation out, but not much. I think i picked up both that one and the turtle wax from pep boys, and in all honesty the other brands are a waste of money (with exception to the 3m kit, ive heard good things from a lot of people about that) But i do know that when spending that $10 you def. get what you pay for :)

[ho1ywars]

blue magic makes a headlight "sealer" to apply after restoring headlights. i highly suggest purchasing and applying this. without sealing them they will rehaze in about a year.

[BlackBulletTSi]

I tried the mothers kit and it was Ok. Was no sanding though just a ball for a drill and some liquid to use. Maybe I'll get this and give it a try.

[MuddyREX]

I've used the Mothers kit in the past with some pretty good results.

Before

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/muddyrex/IMG_3810.jpg

After
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/muddyrex/IMG_3811.jpg

[russiankid]

I think the best bet is to wet sand it and then buff it. A lot of these kits do a light buff which removes some of the yellow haze but they also cover it up with wax so it looks good.

[2g Talon]

The turtle wax actually wet sands with different grits ( 4 of them if i'm not mistaken ) and the finisher is a resin, not a wax.

[Diablo2424]

My headlights on my 06 SER were really bad, I picked up the Meguiar's headlight restoration kit, as per a recommendation from a co-worker. This kit has a 1000 grit WET sand paper, and 3000 grit DRY sand paper... after the 1000 grit wet sanding your lights will have a white film on them, then you do the 3000 grit sanding and the white gets thicker, lol, it's kind of scary. Then you apply the PlastX with the drill and they look beautiful! I just followed the instructions that came with the kit to a T and had no problems at all. I even made sure I sanded horizontally with the 1000 grit WET and vertically with the 3000 grit dry... does it really matter? probably not, but hey, it's what the instructions said, and look at my results!

Kit Used (picked up at Autozone for ~$30):
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5151/7408803206_d07839beff_z_d.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7124/7408802404_f263958a78_z_d.jpg

Before of Driver side light (Pass side was worse but stupid me forgot a before pic!):
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7277/7408811086_e09de2aba3_z_d.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/7408809746_6151e45a4a_z_d.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7139/7408808404_ba7879030d_z_d.jpg

After of Driver side light:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7259/7408807156_71c141aa87_z_d.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/7408805400_9b91de0314_z_d.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5155/7408804426_a3fc8c3a50_z_d.jpg

Front of car after restore kit:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5156/7408838820_c74b1a346b_z_d.jpg

Sooo.. yes I definitely recommend these kits as an alternative to spending $200 on new housings...

It's been 2 months since I did this, and I'd say they look about %97 clear still... so far so good for how long doing this lasts!

[Erik@R/TTuning]

It really worked wonders on that Sentra.

[Diablo2424]

It really worked wonders on that Sentra.

:bigeek:

Who's Sentra? Mine?

[Erik@R/TTuning]

Eeer.... Altima. Sorry. :D

[Honest_Bob]

Honestly I have had the best results with cleaner wax an orbital and just kept going over it.

[SovXietday]

I'm gonna try one of these kits on my 4 doors headlights. How any lamp light gets through the lens I have no idea, so it'll be a good test lol.

[Diablo2424]

Eeer.... Altima. Sorry. :D

haha no problem, I get it alll too often. I've actually been trying to figure out a way to get "not a sentra" into the 7 char. limit of an NJ Vanity plate. Once I figured it out I would like to do that, haha.