Headlights restoration

j@utis

Hi all, headlights on my car are starting to display UV damage and they're turning milky white quite rapidly I must say, I'm wondering here if those restoration kits are worth bothering with? Or is there's anything to slow it down and to reduce appearance of it?

Codpeas

Depending on where you are, there is a chap advertises on Facebook that restores headlights (HeadlightsRestorationDublin). I haven't used him myself but would likely go that route rather than risk making a mess of it myself. Before/after pics on his page look impressive.

j@utis

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119149342#Comment_119149342

Thanks, I'll have a look. It's an old car nothing fancy, I don't want to spend too much either.

Atlantic Dawn

I've used a kit before and the headlights came out like new. It was the Autoglym kit https://www.halfords.ie/motoring/car-cleaning/car-cleaning-kits/autoglym-headlight-restoration-complete-kit-179824.html

For an ultra cheap way you can use toothpaste but it will only stay clear for a few months before they cloud again...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXHTXdlWw1w

autoboi

I used the chap from Facebook. He was lovely to deal with - absolute gent.

Arrived on time and headlights looked new - easily recommend.

Had it done nearly a year ago and they're still perfect.

search for "Headlights Restoration Dublin" and you'll find him.

j@utis

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119150326#Comment_119150326

Have they stayed that way for long?

j@utis

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119165175#Comment_119165175

I had a look. It's looks great but I'm not sure if I want to fork out 60 quid for that...

Atlantic Dawn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119165261#Comment_119165261

Near 2 years, then sold the car.

Cass

Its very easy to do yourself and that kit will work perfectly.

A post I stuck up about a month ago in another forum.

Cass - When sanding have a basin of soapy water. Doesn't matter which soap its more for lubricant. Start with the lowest grit in the pack (say 600). Move left to right ONLY and continue until the sandpaper moves freely. Keep dipping in the soapy water as you do so, and for this reason its always a good idea to mask off the area you're intending to work on so as not to damage bodywork

When you're done with the 600 move onto the next sandpaper, say 800. Now use this in a "top to bottom" pattern. Again constantly dipping/rinsing in the soapy water.

Keep doing this and changing direction for each grain of sandpaper. Never go the same direction when changing sandpaper. You want each finer level to "cut across" the previous ones while taking out the micro abrasions caused.

Once the sandpaper is moving freely, almost gliding, and you're happy the light is done rinse the headlight off well and dry with a microfibre cloth. It took me about 35 to 40 minutes per headlight. Once dry you move onto the compounding.

At this point you're headlight will be milky white. It'll look terrible and you'll wonder if you've fecked it all up, don't worry you haven't.

The Meguiars kit uses a product called Plastic X. You apply it to the applicator pad and again work in left to right then top to bottom movements. Keep going until the compount almost goes clear. Once done wipe with a microfibre. Ifthe headlight is completely clear then move onto the sealing, if you're not happy then repeat the compound step again.

Once its done you need to seal the headlight as the sanding will have removed any UV protection the headlight lense had. Some kits have this in it. YOu spray the sealant onto the headlight. Give it about 10 seconds then wipe with clean microfibre cloth. It'll feel tacky at first but become smooth as you wipe. Keep changing the cloth so its always a clean part wiping. Don't try to use the same part as it'll leave streaks or not do it correctly.

Some people choose to use a clear spray laquer rather than a sealant. It'll last longer, but if it goes wrong you're left having to sand off all the laquer and starting again. The sealant is easier to apply, but won't last as long, however you need only re-apply the sealant every few months to maintain the clarity.

Just take your time, don't hurry the process, and it'll work out fine.

Before and after on my own headlights:

j@utis

Thanks for the write up, @Cass what sealant did you use?

Cass

I have the Meguiars and Holts kit. The Holts kit came with a spray can of sealant. I use it. I re-apply it every few months (after thoroughly cleaning the headlights of any dirt/fouling first).

As said above you can use clear laquer, from a spray can, but you need to be good and confident of your abilities otherwise you'll get a poor result and have to start all over from scratch (sanding, compounding, etc).

Alun

From having done this to my wife's car a few years ago using a 3M kit that didn't contain any sealer, this is an important step that shouldn't be omitted otherwise they'll go cloudy again after a few months.