can these headlights be saved?

[godfearingman]

Hi I'm working on pt cruiser trying to see if the headlights are salvageable with something like 3M headlight restorer etc or need to get new ones? Thanks in advance

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[Matt@Revive]

you can save those, i am becoming a fan of the Meguiars Perfect Clarity headlight kit. if you don't want to mess with coatings this is the way to go.

Meguiars Perfect Clarity Headlight Restoration Kit

you might still neet to use sand paper to remove all of the haze prior to using the kit.

 

[godfearingman]

you can save those, i am becoming a fan of the Meguiars Perfect Clarity headlight kit. if you don't want to mess with coatings this is the way to go.

Meguiars Perfect Clarity Headlight Restoration Kit

you might still neet to use sand paper to remove all of the haze prior to using the kit.

Wanting to get them clear as cheap and easily as I can whether it be with or without protective coatings

 

[Mantilgh]

They do not look too bad. Mostly cloudy but not severely oxidized and yellow. You might be able to get away with just compound and a polish.

What tools to you have to work with?

I have not tried it but people are saying to things about DP product.

Detailer’s All In One Headlight Restoring Polish, headlight restoration

They have a protectant too.

Detailer’s Headlight Protectant Spray

I have used the 3M drill kit. I think you shoukd add a couple extra sanding steps if you use that one. Just my opinion.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

They do not look too bad. Mostly cloudy but not severely oxidized.

Agree.

 

[godfearingman]

Have a buffer and DA and some rubbing compound, Plastix and polishing compound as well tried the Plastix with no result as with rubbing compound

 

[dcjredline]

DP Headlight restoring polish will kick those headlights butt!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Have a buffer and DA and some rubbing compound, Plastix and polishing compound as well tried the Plastix with no result as with rubbing compound

What kind of rubbing compound?

 

[godfearingman]

What kind of rubbing compound?

turtle wax doesn't work all that great it's in a green container the last time I used any it was in a white case with red label.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

So that could just be hazing from your Turtle Wax rubbing compound...I'd avoid that like the plague and please never use it on your paint.

How much machine polishing experience do you have? Can you try a spot with your "polishing compound"? I guess you should tell us what that is, too.

 

[godfearingman]

So that could just be hazing from your Turtle Wax rubbing compound...I'd avoid that like the plague and please never use it on your paint.

How much machine polishing experience to you have? Can you try a spot with your "polishing compound"? I guess you should tell us what that is, too.

Not much with an DA but used a buffer a few times I'll try the polishing compound and let y'all know the results.

 

[godfearingman]

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They look better in person cameras don't capture things like our eyes see but that's about 5 minutes with plastix and my DA

 

[Setec Astronomy]

PlastX is going to be a waste of time, IMO.

If I were you I'd go to a local store and get some Meg's Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish, if you're not going to order some of the suggested products from here.

 

[godfearingman]

I've used it on other vehicles I've had with keeping the lenses clean as far as the suggested products on here I need to try and get them clean by the weekend so I need to find something I can buy locally it's not my car its friends car and they wanted me to polish them before they put tags and everything on it.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I've used it (Plast-X) on other vehicles I've had with keeping the lenses clean

Well, removing hazing is a bit different than keeping them clean.

Like any polishing, you have to start with an approach aggressive enough to remove the defects, then you need to step down through less aggressive methods to remove any artifacts from the defect-removal step.

Going from rock-in-a-can Turtle Wax rubbing compound to Plast-X is too big a jump, IMO.

 

[godfearingman]

Already have ultimate polish I'll get some ultimate compound from work tonight.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Already have ultimate polish I'll get some ultimate compound from work tonight.

I would try the Ultimate Polish on a small spot right now, you may be fine.

 

[roguegeek]

They don't look bad at all. Super easy to restore, although I'm not a fan of headlight restoration kits. Wet sad 1000 grit, then 1500, then 2000. Use a good polish on it like M205. Throw on your favorite LPS. Boom! You're done.

 

[dcjredline]

Those do not need to be wet sanded. Tell your friend it will be worth the wait for the DP polish...which is on sale rt now too

 

[OnSite Details]

Easily saved, Typically the only stuff you can't fix is when the seal is broken and the damage is on the inside of the lens.

My recipe for full headlight restoration
Wash and Clay
Prep/Tape
WetSand w/following
1000 (if needed)
1500
2000
2500
Machine Polish
V36
V38- Finishing Polish
Reseal,Rewax
Drink beer