Some recent headlight restorations

[g35_coupe]

Here's a few restorations I've done the last couple of months. Several lights had some severe pitting and some had some pretty deep scratches from previous attempts at cleaning them up, so it wasn't cost effective to address. Please excuse some pics being a tad blurry since I was rushing and just using my phone.

VW Beetle










Volvo XC90







2011 Tundra







2009 Lexus IS








Mercedes G-Class







A mid 90's Crown Vic





2009 Honda Odyssey





2007 GMC pick up





I removed the fog lights since they are recessed in the bumper quite a bit and needed to get a little aggressive from the pitting....

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Nice work. Are you putting anything on after?

 

[vtec92civic]

Looks dang good to me. Are you using a DA to sand or are you sanding by hand?

If you are spraying on a UV coating those are some dang good results. I had a spray a while back and had a hard time with it. I actually still have a few cans just sitting LoL. Would be great to know more about your process and tools used.

Nice work. Are you putting anything on after?

According to his website he has a couple different options from just polishing to polishing with a coating or just a coating.

 

[Don M]

Wow, they look awesome, indistinguishable from brand new. Care to share a few secrets?

 

[vdevan]

Now that is proper!Well Done, what are you using to Seal them?.

 

[Don M]

I just checked out your website, your results and pricing are incredible. I wish I was closer, I'm doing a full compound, polish & detail on my nephew's Grand Am and he needs his headlights done.

 

[SameGuy]

Nice! Never thought to offer mirror indicators and marker lamps. That would be a cool job for the Kompakt with "custom" interface pad and sanding discs.

Nobody has taken me up on tail lamps just yet, I guess because the scratches and haze are never as "ugly" as on headlamps.

 

[Don M]

Nice! Never thought to offer mirror indicators and marker lamps. That would be a cool job for the Kompakt with "custom" interface pad and sanding discs.

Nobody has taken me up on tail lamps just yet, I guess because the scratches and haze are never as "ugly" as on headlamps.

I've never seen tail lights that I couldn't polish out. Perhaps it's because they don't have the UV coating(?) or perhaps it's because they don't see the heat and abuse that headlights do, but headlights? I could NEVER get them like that!

 

[SameGuy]

They have a UV coating (not sure if it's the same kind as used on headlamps) but yeah, they never get as beaten up as headlamps. Up here all cars have DRLs, and many use the low or high beam lamps at reduced voltage as DRLs so we see a LOT of hazy lenses around here. Hopefully the trend toward LED DRLs mitigates it somewhat, just as it should also reduce the number of cars with burned out headlamp bulbs driving around.

 

[g35_coupe]

Now that is proper!Well Done, what are you using to Seal them?.

Thanks! I'm currently using Opti-Lens.

According to his website he has a couple different options from just polishing to polishing with a coating or just a coating.

Yeah, since not everyone needs full-blown restoration job, I can still get them cleaned with a compound/polish and it saves them quite a bit.

I just checked out your website, your results and pricing are incredible. I wish I was closer, I'm doing a full compound, polish & detail on my nephew's Grand Am and he needs his headlights done.

I'm probably at the higher end of pricing for my area but still remain competitive with dealerships and detail shops with the convenience of being 100% mobile. Swing down sometime and I'll knock 'em out for you.

Nice! Never thought to offer mirror indicators and marker lamps. That would be a cool job for the Kompakt with "custom" interface pad and sanding discs.

Nobody has taken me up on tail lamps just yet, I guess because the scratches and haze are never as "ugly" as on headlamps.

Buying a Kompakt hasn't even crossed my mind since they're overpriced and pneumatic. If you show the customer the fine scratches on taillamps in the sun's reflection they'll take notice.

I've never seen tail lights that I couldn't polish out. Perhaps it's because they don't have the UV coating(?) or perhaps it's because they don't see the heat and abuse that headlights do, but headlights? I could NEVER get them like that!

I'm sure they have a UV coating but you're right about not seeing the abuse such as sun and heat. HOWEVER, they do see more dust/dirt/mud because of the airflow and natural accumulation at the back of the vehicle. So, when it's time for them to run it through the scratch-o-matic car wash, it just grinds that stuff in. Customers rarely see it until you explain it to them. Here's a prime example....

 

[SameGuy]

Pneumatic?

 

[g35_coupe]

Pneumatic?

Forgive my brain fart. For a moment I was thinking the Kompakt was the small TA50 DA sander/polisher, which I stand on it being overpriced. I now remember the Kompakt is the electric rotary. I wouldn't mind being a test subject for using one with the smaller backing plates.