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DIY: Headlight Restoration

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Old Nov 10, 2010 | 11:56 AM
  #1  
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Wink DIY: Headlight Restoration

[IMG]file:///Users/paulwright/Desktop/2010-11-09_22-15-38_888.jpg[/IMG]My head light were really foggy and looked really bad. I invested $20 and about 20 mins of my time to make them look like new.

This is a photo of how my headlights looked when I started, I taped up the edges to protect my paint from both the drill and the solution.
DIY: Headlight Restoration-before-headlight.jpg

I followed the instructions and added a nickel size amount of the solution to the pad which is connected to my drill.
DIY: Headlight Restoration-drill-pad.jpg

Then spent about 2-3 mins applying an even coat to the entire headlight with the drill starting slowly and building up the speed. Once all the solution was completely rubbed in I repeated the whole process for the other headlight.
DIY: Headlight Restoration-polishing-headlight.jpg

I then repeated the process for the both headlights, (Not required but I didn't take long so I want to make sure i had done a good job). Once complete a quick rub with the lint free cloth.
DIY: Headlight Restoration-wipe-off-dust-fiber.jpg

The finished product looks amazing
DIY: Headlight Restoration-good-new.jpg

Thanks for reading and hope this helps
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Old Nov 10, 2010 | 12:02 PM
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Headlight restoration extra pics

Here is a picture of the equipment used
DIY: Headlight Restoration-equipment-used.jpg

This is the other headlight
DIY: Headlight Restoration-passenger-light-looking-good.jpg
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 04:56 AM
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would this take out all the scratches on the head light too ?
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 06:34 AM
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Mine was just cloudy and had no deep scratches, I think it we will remove small scuff type scratches but not deep ones. All you can do is try it
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 06:37 AM
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From: Between Cones
Used the same kit on my friends g35. He had some tiny surface scratches and a yellow lens. This thing cleared it up and helped to blend in the scratches real nice. Remember to use the tape, the compound is a cutter and will cut away at the paint (which isn't a big deal, but you might notice when you wash your car that the area around the headlights is shinier lol.)
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Old Dec 1, 2010 | 06:41 PM
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The passenger side lens still looks cloudy in the close up but the scratches are gone. Big improvement from it's original condition.
How long do you expect it to last before it has to be redone?
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Old Dec 1, 2010 | 06:54 PM
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does this stuff work on glass pitting as well ?
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Old Dec 1, 2010 | 08:06 PM
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The lens was not cloudy when I had finished it was just the photo, I think the flash and the reflection made it look that way. It really looks great, not sure how long till it needs doing again but it still looks like new now.
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Old Dec 1, 2010 | 08:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Brettus
does this stuff work on glass pitting as well ?
I don't think it works on glass there is a list of about ten uses on th the side and they are all types of plastic
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Old Dec 1, 2010 | 08:12 PM
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i'll remember this thread! SAVED :D
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Old Dec 1, 2010 | 09:47 PM
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The pad comes in the box too??
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Old Dec 1, 2010 | 09:54 PM
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Originally Posted by 12A-13B
The pad comes in the box too??
Yes you get the liquid the pad that attaches to your drill and the lint free cloth
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Old Dec 1, 2010 | 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted by wrightcomputing
Yes you get the liquid the pad that attaches to your drill and the lint free cloth
Is this One Step new from Meguiars? or has it been around?
I am familiar with another product by the same name but a different company.
Meguiars have been experimenting with headlight cleaners for a while.
They have an assortment of kits for different levels of skill.
Some of the kits cost close to$500.00.
They probably have a kit designed to take out the deep scratches and pits in the lens.
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Old Dec 2, 2010 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by wrightcomputing
Yes you get the liquid the pad that attaches to your drill and the lint free cloth
This is good to know and thank you, I will try it on my car.
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Old Dec 2, 2010 | 06:53 PM
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I used the same kit and had similar results. Would definitely recommend!
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Old Jun 11, 2011 | 03:10 PM
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Just a quick note for everyone. My headlights on my 8 were 10 times worse then his, and tho this kit works extremely well, you can get it done with stuff you have on hand. Simple rubbing compound/polish will substitute the "Restoration Cream" and a foam pad on a drill was what I found worked the best. Follow all the same instructions as above. Why buy a $20 kit when you can get it done for $5! Simple DIY.
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Old Jun 11, 2011 | 03:30 PM
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it does work good...but to get it back to that new look, you will need to sand it down left + right with 1000 grit sand paper...do up and down with 3000, use plastix, sit back and enjoy the shine

Last edited by ejeetology; Jun 11, 2011 at 03:33 PM.
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Old Jun 11, 2011 | 09:52 PM
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I just thought I would follow up with this since it is about 10 months since I originally posted this DIY post and my headlights still look great. I wax them once a month when I do my car and they still look like new. I do agree that you could do this with rubbing compound and a buffing cloth or buffing drill bit.

Last edited by wrightcomputing; Oct 20, 2011 at 12:41 PM.
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Old Jun 24, 2011 | 01:16 PM
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On the cheapo, I use "Fast Orange" hand cleaner and a similar buffing wheel... works very well.
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Old Jun 25, 2011 | 03:44 AM
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Originally Posted by gabrod72
On the cheapo, I use "Fast Orange" hand cleaner and a similar buffing wheel... works very well.

That is headlight restoration on a budget if iv ever seen it !
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Old Jun 25, 2011 | 11:41 AM
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I'll look into this, I used Turtle Wax and it cleared it up, just not as good as yours did.
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Old Jun 26, 2011 | 05:12 AM
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Bought it today, but haven't got to use it. My brother has a Jetta with some serious yellow headlights, ill takes some pictures if i remember of before and after on his and mine. Put it to the real test.
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Old Jun 26, 2011 | 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by slvrmzdrx8
That is headlight restoration on a budget if iv ever seen it !
Just a well known shop and jeeper trick. I have 5 vehicles so I don't drop coin on anything involving cars if I can find an equally effective method of solving the problem on the cheap. I also try to avoid re-branded stuff that found a new use and sells for 10x more.... that's not for me, sorry.
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Old Jul 8, 2011 | 12:24 AM
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my oxidation was on the interior of the lens.. maybe im the only on though
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Old Sep 28, 2011 | 09:28 AM
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Just wanted to follow up on this post. My headlight lenses are starting to cloud up again so I will be doing the process again soon.
Meaning this fix is good for about 1 year and the car has done about 25K so plenty of use.
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