1st Headlight Restoration

R

Rodger Johnson

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My 1st write up! Share comments!

Items used:
-Cordless Drill 1400 rpms
-3m Headlight Restoration System
-Water
-Microfiber Cloths
-Hand Wax
-Painter's Tape

Steps:
-Precleaned the headlamps with soap, water, and then an APC.
-Taped around the headlamps with 2 layers of painter's tape.

Taped hazed over headlight without headlamp on:
238_399_csupload_25641047.jpg


Hazed over headlight with headlamp on:
238_399_csupload_25641078.jpg


I do not have the camera shots of progress in between.
-Performed 500 grit sanding. Made sure there were not any clear or glossy areas after a quick MF cloth wipe. Did about 6 passes over the whole lens.
-Performed 800 grit sanding. Made sure the sanding marks were much smoother after a quick MF wipe. Did about 6 - 8 passes over the whole lens.
-Performed 3000 grit wet-sanding. Did about 6 - 8 passes or until the 800 grit marks were removed.
-Compounded with the 3" foam pad. Made sure to spread the compound around the whole headlamp before turning it on!!! :) Made sure the wet-sanding marks were removed or not noticeable.
-Hand polished the headlamp with a hand wax.
-Checked for clarity in the lens and that the sanding marks were not noticeable.
-Cleaned spatter and sanding slurry off of the vehicle with water and an MF cloth. It was basically around the headlamp and a little on the hood.
-Picture time!

After the work was done...

Headlamp after the restoration with the headlamp off:
479_286_csupload_25641102.jpg


Headlamp after the restoration with the headlamp on:
479_286_csupload_25641125.jpg


As you can see I have a little dust or airborne particles on the inside of the headlamp, but the headlamp looks like I replaced it.

Yay!
 
Used the same kit when I had my 2002 Civic EX and it worked beautifully. You may want to pick up Meguiar's PlastX to use on your headlights though because they will cloud up very quickly again since there's no more UV protection on them. I ended up using PlastX on mine maybe once a month after I used the 3M kit.
 
That is nice, I wonder if one of the high duration sealants that claim UV protection would help on the durability
 
That really did come out nice.

Did my first one last night as well. Not nearly as bad starting out as yours though. It was just to the point where I had everything else on my wife's car looking so much better the headlights became the biggest eyesore.

It was kind of a last minute project using whatever I had on my shelf.

MDX Headlight Polish - a set on Flickr
 
I used the 3M kit as well.

Had to dedicate some time but was well worth it....
 
Looks great. It's always fun to see such big differences with before after.

Oh and welcome to AG posting!!
 
GTPpilot said:
That really did come out nice.

Did my first one last night as well. Not nearly as bad starting out as yours though. It was just to the point where I had everything else on my wife's car looking so much better the headlights became the biggest eyesore.

It was kind of a last minute project using whatever I had on my shelf.

MDX Headlight Polish - a set on Flickr
Click to expand...

I agree. I really can't stand detailing the paint on a car, and then you see this hazed and cloudy eyesore lenses just jumping out at you screaming "Help me!"
 
very nice. i've never done this before. when you talk about the grit sanding, is that all included in the kit? is it just sandpaper?
 
swat ss said:
very nice. i've never done this before. when you talk about the grit sanding, is that all included in the kit? is it just sandpaper?
Click to expand...

There's sandpaper in the kit, with different grits (500, 800, and 3000), but it's made for the drill interface plate, from the 3M Hookit system.
 
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