Well, I have/ had some really fooked up headlight, from rock chips, scatches, wear, and removing my eyelids. Also my passenger side lights had some weird blotches. So I decided to pick up Turtlewax headlight lens Restorer for about $9.XX. and have at it.

Now I only reccomend this if your lights are pretty beat up. If its just swirls and light scratches give the rubbing compound (included) a try first and go from there if you choose to.

The kit Includes most of what you need, but you will need to provide some materials.

- Masking tape
- Terry cloth or microfiber towels
- Something to clean the lights with. (windex, detail spray, or carwash+water)

PICS below for those people that are more visual-----

1. You need to clean your headlight first, then make sure to mask the paint around the paint. This will keep the sanding pads from scuffing the paint. (dont use the provided glove until the end when you add the protective coat...it will get dirty)
2. Use the rubbing compound on the headlight. If at this point the light still dont look good, proceed to the sanding phase.

3. Spray the headlight and the sandding pad#1 green with the provided spray lubricant. This step is importand. You will attempt to remove all the flaws at this point. Sand accross the headlight , dont switch directions. Make sure the light is plenty lubricated while doing so. Dont forget the edges of the headlight. Finish once the light is smooth. (Use only one side of the scuffing pads if you are doing both lights.)

 

4. Use the scuffing pad #2 and scuff in the opposite direction, up and down. Keep the light plenty pubricated. Scuff for only about a minute.

5. The last scuffing pad is two sided. You will only use it for about a minute on each side so its no worry of it wearing out. Make sure to scuff accross for both sides. Use the side #3 purple for a minute, followed by #4 blue. Keep the light plenty lubricated.

 

6. Spray some more of the lube (aka turtle wax detail spray) and clean all the residue from the headlight until its perfectly clean. Your headlight will look dull at this point.

7. Use the rubbing compound agian on the entire headlight. Do this process for about 5 min. The headlight will look less dull now.

***pics are a bit out of order

 

8. Finish with the lens sealing wipe. At this point you should use the gloves. This wipe contains a liquid which will cure over the headlight. This process is delicate. You will gently glide the wipe over the light untill you cover all the dullness. Dont forget the corners and edges.Its ok to go in a few deirections initially just to cover the whole light, but after that go accross in a dingle direction.

***once done put the wipe back inside its containerwhile putting it in your glove and turning it inside out. Tie a knot to prevent the wipe from drying out while you do the other light.

***The light will fully cure in 24hrs. It should be fine overnight, just dont go out drivind as soon as your done. This DIY will work best if done indoors away from the wind and elements. Dont try to take off masking tape right away or it might make dust fly onto it.

Once done, bask in the glory of your headlights!

 

On old yellowing head lights from other cars, i've just rubbed mother mag and aluminum polish into them... not nearly as detailed as this, but it was also my beater... so 2-3 minutes and I already had the polish... sure beats the cost of a new one. Took it back to looking 90% or so.

 

I have this kit and used it on my Mustangs headlights. They looked pretty bad when I finished the process. Your final product looks really clean! I may give this another try but my headlights on the 8 are not too bad right now.

On the note of issues on my Mustang lights, I used 3M polish/glaze and a high speed buffer to polish them. It was a Pita because of the angles and trying not to damage anything paint wise but came out looking amazing. I considered using the buffer on the 8's headlights as in the same manner as I did on my Mustang. Looking at your final pics makes me reconsider trying the turtle wax product again.

 

Depending on the year of your mustang it could be a quality difference due to the make up of the headlight (i.e. plastic vs glass)

 

i have used this about two times but it looks likeshit now. my kit did not come with the wipe i'll just get a new one.

 

Yea mine were plastic, not glass(2003 GT). They still looked better than the SN95 glass headlights! Those looked way crappy(stock)!

The RX8's headlights aren't glass, so it makes me nervous to use the turtle wax kit again.

 

i need to do sth like this really really soon

 

for an extra 10$, I strongly suggest "Meguiars headlight restoration kit"! i used it on my 8 the other day and they literally look brand new. i got it from oriellys for about 20 buck and it was well worth it.

i can post before and after pics if any one wants them.

kit comes with a drill attachment/ microfiber rag/ and a big bottle of polish. (good for more than 1 car)

 

+1

meguilars resto kit is very good too, I didnt have drill though.

 

If you want really good stuff, get glassylite. It costs a bit more and more likely have to order it online

http://www.modified.com/tech/sccp_08.../photo_03.html

 

can i wash my car right after i do this or should i wait a day? lol

 

I picked this up today for $8 at Target...amazing results. My 04 RX8's headlights looked terrible and after buffing they looked great. I can't say that they look brand new, but they definitely look way better than they did before. Can't beat it for $8.

 

gah. i dont know if i did anything wrong, but im guessing you need to use that polishing stuff every once in a while to keep the light looking clean, cause mine started to fog up again. lol