headlght restoration, do yours yet?

[stover]

well im working on joey modding an extra set of headlights i have and i figured id try my hand at restoring the lenses before i spend the money on glass ones

i started with 1000 grit, then moved to 2000 grit (wetsanding both)
then buffed at 1500RPM with a light compound. heres the results

before


after sanding


buffed


if you have done them post your results. but this just goes to show you dont need to buy an expensive kit to do them

[Proven]

Awesome job man!

[stover]

thanks this was my first time without a kit, in the past ive used the rain-x and turtle wax kit but this time i just bought sand paper and used left over buffing compound from the turtle wax kit

[DC2.2GSR]

That looks a hell of a lot better than before. I do them at work with a 3" DA sander, starting with 400 grit dry, then 600, 800, 1000 grit 3M Trizact wet, a light scuff with 2000 wet by hand, then 3000 grit Trizact wet. I buff with regular 3M Rubbing Compound and then a plastic polish, using a 3" wool pad first and then a 3" foam polish pad to finish. Sometimes we even re-clear them with automotive clear if they want to pay extra for a permanent fix. It gets them crystal clear every time. People usually come in the next day and tell us that it's like they were driving with their headlights off at night before, and now they can actually see the road.

The VW Jetta/GTI headlights like yours are the absolute worst ones out of all makes and models. In fact, in our ad for the headlight restoration service we use Jetta headlights as an example. lol

[stover]

haha yea, i think im going to get glass lenses for mine from the R32 since i know they will just yellow again

[schaffer]

Looks good..

I did mine with the 3m kit...got at least 2 uses out of the kit,could prolly do at least 2 more sets of lights

[JankyS13]

looks good bruh, but glass ftw, yo!

[knochgoon24]

Before:
resized_DSC04022.jpg

After:
resized_DSC05126.jpg

I used the Turtle Wax Headlight Lens Restorer Kit (T-240KT). It costs about $10. I did them while they were still on the car. Cleaned right up.
(Ignore the beat front bumper...)

[httrdd]

What have you guys used on glass lenses to restore them? I am splitting my JDM projectors apart to clean them out, black out housing and restore the lense to new.

[stover]

glass lenses shouldnt need restoring, its glass... it should just need to be cleaned

[httrdd]

Ok I should of realized it would be that easy. Lol.

[Erik@R/TTuning]

I have restored a few plastic lenses in my time and they look great for about a year and then start to cloud again. I haven't tried a good professional clear though so perhaps that is the key.

[CleanNeon98]

Toothpaste works well in the early stages of oxidation, especially if it's on the outside.

[knochgoon24]

Mine have stayed clear. I cleaned them up a bit over a year ago. The kit I used included a treatment wipe that said it would seal the lens.

DSM headlights have horrible output. I have to keep them squeaky clean just so I can see at night.

[Honduh]

I've done quite a few sets on my cars and a few friends car and they always turn out great.

I do it by hand and wet sand using 800, 1500, 2000. Then I use turtle wax compound. Then turtle wax polish. Then I finish it up with Plastix Polish. Ill post pics later.

[JankyS13]

Originally Posted by httrdd

What have you guys used on glass lenses to restore them? I am splitting my JDM projectors apart to clean them out, black out housing and restore the lense to new.

[Magic Drift]

im usually use that for rear fender. . . on my 240. just bang it !!

[JankyS13]

Originally Posted by Magic Drift

im usually use that for rear fender. . . on my 240. just bang it !!

stop killing mail boxes then.

[Sublime1304]

OP, nice results!

[stover]

Originally Posted by Sublime1304

OP, nice results!

thank you. from posting the piks on my facebook i have a few "jobs" lined up