50 cent - 10 minute Headlight Restoration

Bates Detailing

Bates Detailing

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Ok, I keep thinking to myself that maybe there is something better about headlight restoration kits than what I have been doing.


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Would they come out better than this with a kit?

I've done 6 cars/trucks using an aggressive compound (gritty) by hand and following up with a finishing polish - it uses next to nothing in product and has worked everytime.

Does a kit provide better results or protection?
 
Kit's are a waste IMO. just get some sand paper, and the pads and polish you already have and you're set. The kits are marked up alot and you don't get much product. just my .02
 
This was just a friends car that I was finally tired of looking at the headlights - so into my truck I go... a dab, a scrub, a buff, a wala - 10 minutes and at the very most .50 (probably more like .10) ....

I was wondering why the restore kits cost so much :dunno:
 
The restore kits are more for a DIYer instead of someone doing it for profit. they are good if you don't want to keep a whole bunch of sand paper and crap. But if you detail for a living usually you have all the stuff you need already.
 
Spicy McHaggis said:
The restore kits are more for a DIYer instead of someone doing it for profit. they are good if you don't want to keep a whole bunch of sand paper and crap. But if you detail for a living usually you have all the stuff you need already.
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LOL - Maybe cause it is late and I'm tired.... but it took me like 2 minutes starring at DIYer to figure out what that stood for LOL! Well thanx for telling me man - Cause I would have thrown down the money for a kit and been highly disappointed.
 
LOL no worries. Just go out and get some good sandpaper from a local store and you should be good.
 
Just make sure it's the right grit too, haha. Obviously though.
 
PAR Detailing said:
B&B are you using a machine at all or doing it all by hand?
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Ive been doing them by hand only because I always felt weary about using a machine on them cause of heat build up on plastic - but I noticed from researching it that apparently it is ok to use a machine. Was taking no time by hand though... so why even bust out the machine?
 
B&B Tennessee said:
Ive been doing them by hand only because I always felt weary about using a machine on them cause of heat build up on plastic - but I noticed from researching it that apparently it is ok to use a machine. Was taking no time by hand though... so why even bust out the machine?
Click to expand...

I was just reading how others have mentioned sand paper, if you use sand paper you might have to use a machine to get those out. Maybe, maybe not. I was just looking out.

I use a rotary and 4in pads to do mine. It takes no time either(unless they are just trashed and need more sanding). You do have to tape around the lights with a machine though.
 
I have done some headlights that will not just buff out - they have to have a multi-stage sanding before they will clear up.

Since the sanding does take more time, you can always try the buff it out only approach first, then get more aggressive, just like with paint.

However, the 3M kit puts together the grits you need and a nice little "backing plate" for the sanding discs. You can buy the bigger kits for pros, or replacement sanding pads.

This is a third brake light I did with the kit that couldn't be buffed out - it required sanding:
3m-headlight-kit-before-after.jpg


I also have some headlight photos, but they are on a different computer.

DLB
 
DLB said:
I have done some headlights that will not just buff out - they have to have a multi-stage sanding before they will clear up.

Since the sanding does take more time, you can always try the buff it out only approach first, then get more aggressive, just like with paint.

However, the 3M kit puts together the grits you need and a nice little "backing plate" for the sanding discs. You can buy the bigger kits for pros, or replacement sanding pads.

This is a third brake light I did with the kit that couldn't be buffed out - it required sanding:
3m-headlight-kit-before-after.jpg


I also have some headlight photos, but they are on a different computer.

DLB
Click to expand...


Nice - I may have just been lucky with the few that I have done. Sounds like I should get some sandpaper, sure my luck will run out soon!
 
I've done a million of these headlight restores. I used to do it the way you do it now.

They definitely will come out better with the kit. BUT, don't buy the kit...it's a rip off. I just go online and buy the sanding discs. Hook them up to my air drill, and start with the appropriate grit. Sometimes I start with 500, sometimes I go straight to wet sanding with the 1000.

The grits I have are 500, 800, 1000, and 3000. Wet sand with 1000, and 3000. THEN compound, and polish.

Another awesome trick. Is to use Minwax clear gloss urethane mixed 50/50 with mineral spirits. Mix them in a cup, and dab a shop towel in and wipe it cleanly on to the lens. They'll look awesome!!!
 
B&B Tennessee said:
Nice - I may have just been lucky with the few that I have done. Sounds like I should get some sandpaper, sure my luck will run out soon!
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Yeah, luck will run out. You'll run into the ones that need to have the acrylic protectant completely taken off. Doing that by hand will definitely suck. The sandpaper will fly right through it. But, you're not doing anything wrong. Sometimes a little compound is all you need. Nice job man, the ones you did look good :props:
 
Kristopher1129 said:
I've done a million of these headlight restores. I used to do it the way you do it now.

They definitely will come out better with the kit. BUT, don't buy the kit...it's a rip off. I just go online and buy the sanding discs. Hook them up to my air drill, and start with the appropriate grit. Sometimes I start with 500, sometimes I go straight to wet sanding with the 1000.

The grits I have are 500, 800, 1000, and 3000. Wet sand with 1000, and 3000. THEN compound, and polish.

Another awesome trick. Is to use Minwax clear gloss urethane mixed 50/50 with mineral spirits. Mix them in a cup, and dab a shop towel in and wipe it cleanly on to the lens. They'll look awesome!!!
Click to expand...

Sweet - gonna try it out!
 
I'll go ahead and tell you that I used Nuvite C grade - a much sandier grit to it then other compounds that I've used. That's why I initially tried it out - works, but yeah - think the sand paper is still going down - thanx guys!
 
B&B Tennessee said:
I'll go ahead and tell you that I used Nuvite C grade - a much sandier grit to it then other compounds that I've used. That's why I initially tried it out - works, but yeah - think the sand paper is still going down - thanx guys!
Click to expand...

You'll still use both methods. I still just use compound sometimes. But that's only when they are just slightly oxidized.
I'm pretty sure they sell all the grits you'll need right on autogeek. I didn't know that till a couple weeks ago. I always had a hard time finding all the grits I needed in one place. Now it's easy!:buffing:
 
B&B Tennessee said:
I'll go ahead and tell you that I used Nuvite C grade - a much sandier grit to it then other compounds that I've used. That's why I initially tried it out - works, but yeah - think the sand paper is still going down - thanx guys!
Click to expand...

Here ya go buddy. Everything on this page is all you need. There's enough sanding discs here to make your money back plus a ton more. I charge $50 for one set of headlights. Another $20 to do rear lights or additional lenses.

Headlight restore products
 
ironically I fixed my headlights last night. They were only slightly oxidized so I just used megs 105, LC orange and griots da. After finishing I realized they were a lot more oxidized than I thought.
 
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