Headlight cleaning kits

funkey_monkey

Hi,

I need to restore the headlights on my 15 year old car for the winter as they are terrible, bordering on dangerous.

I've been looking online at the 3M kit. Is it as good as the reviews make it out to be? Has anyone on here tried it? I see from the reviews that there is no UV sealant either.

Also, related to this, I was also going to upgrade the bulbs - are there any recommended brands etc that I should be looking at? I had a set before, but the lifetime on them was terrible.

Advice appreciated.

Magic ]=)

I did my headlights with waterproof sandpaper, polishing paste and bit of wax.
400/800/1200/2000 / polishing paste / wax.
Exactly in this order. Next time I might skip the polishing paste and do another pass with 2500 grit and then wax.
Headligths looks like new. Sandpaper is cheap and most hardware stores sell it per sheet.

Can't say much about bulbs. Use stock. Plenty more light after cleaning.

funkey_monkey

Did you use an orbital or by hand?
Also, is there a special type of polishing paste you used?

Atlantic Dawn

I used the Autoglym one on mine last year, results were excellent, would recommend, they still are like new. Make sure you tape up the area around the lights with a few layers of decent brand masking tape so as no to damage the paint with the sanding.

For bulbs try Philips Xtreme Vision.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiSSEvskgHE

exaisle

Toothpaste works really well.

I sh1t you not.

funkey_monkey

Whats the lifetime like on the xtreme vision bulbs?

Also, did you put on a UV protection after cleaning the lights?

Atlantic Dawn

funkey_monkey wrote: »

Whats the lifetime like on the xtreme vision bulbs?

Also, did you put on a UV protection after cleaning the lights?

I got almost 2 years from a set but wouldn't be heavy mileage.

I just used the compound that came with the kit, didn't apply anything else.

Curran

It would be worth considering getting a detailer to do it - and it will include a UV coating (or at least it should)

EPAndlee

exaisle wrote: »

Toothpaste works really well.

I sh1t you not.

Toothpaste is only a temporary fix.

The 3M kit will do the job. Plenty of videos online to help you out. Remember to mask up around the headlight and seal the headlights after to polish them to restors some uv protection otherwise they will oxidise again in no time.

I normally start at 1200 grit and work up to 2500 grit then compound the headlights followed by a sealent. That's what works for me

funkey_monkey

Any particular sealant do you all recommend or is the de-facto choice?

EPAndlee

As Curran said a detailer might be a better option for you. Might be more cost effective

Magic ]=)

funkey_monkey wrote: »

Did you use an orbital or by hand?
Also, is there a special type of polishing paste you used?

By hand because I didn't have a orbital for wet job. Plenty of water went on the headlights during sanding and sandpaper was well soaked for the job.

Just a basic polishing compound. Something not abrasive.

There was another method. After sanding and good clean up you spray on a coat of clear lacquer. Must be UV resistant and non yellowing.
Something like this:
http://www.woodies.ie/paint/spray-paint-sprayers/spray-paint/rust-oleum-crystal-clear-protective-coat-semi-gloss-finish-400ml-1055071

I didn't try this method yet so I don't know what the results would be.