headlights

[johnkarl]

spent a few hours today trying to get the headlights clean, not a fantastic job, but still a massive improvement to what they were, used G3 and a rag, fingers sore now he he he

[markypicks]

i used tooth paste with bicarbonate soda cleaned a little but then some one told me to use autosol metal polish,bits at a time in little circles and they come up a treat the autosol has some kind of ingredient in that cleans hope this helps rgds mark

[rab60bit]

Originally Posted by johnkarl

spent a few hours today trying to get the headlights clean, not a fantastic job, but still a massive improvement to what they were, used G3 and a rag, fingers sore now he he he

There is plenty of advice here but just spend £8-9 on a kit off e-bay, apart from appropriate abrasives some kits have a portable drill adaptable polishing mop, grinding paste and polycarbonate sealant included - this is far more effective and will give you clear headlights for much much longer.

[macafee2]

not used this but it looks similar to the 3m kit which is good.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Headlight-R...8342094&chn=ps

macafee2

[COLVERT]

What do you put on them once they are clean to stop more future oxidization ??

[T-Cut]

Originally Posted by COLVERT

What do you put on them once they are clean to stop more future oxidization ??

It certainly needs something. The proper stuff contains antioxidant/uv stabiliser and costs around for £40 a small bottle. Not many people will go that far so the polycarbonate will definitely be back to a fogged state in a year or so. Mine have. It's caused by sunlight.


EDIT: Just found this on Utube. Interesting UV protection film.

Click: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG54xt56uZo

TC

[T16]

Oh god not the plethora of old wives tales about how someone used crushed paracetamol and spinach leaves to polish their headlights.

Its very simple, all the headlights are sprayed with UV resistant 2Pack clear coat from the factory. To fix, this must be sanded off, and re-applied and polished to restore it to full function.

If you sand off the clear, you are left with plastic so soft, that you only have to give it a sideways look, and it scratches itself.

A German company does a two-aerosol kit with a plastic primer and 2-pack top coat, SprayMax. If you do the job right they look brand new. Practice on a spare headlight first you dont mind chucking in the bin.

The best technique is to mask off just the front, spray, polish, then rub down any lip between the new coat and the original at the corner edges, then its seamlessly clear and smooth and just as good as new if not better actually, as you get to apply a thicker, harder, and more modern coat than the factory back in neolithic times.

Trying to evenly spray the intricacies of the entire front lens is doomed to failure mostly, unless you dont mind a cr4p finish. The 2k clear is quite forgiving, and you can rub it down until the finish is as smooth as glass and indistinguishable from a brand new unit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0msGcb1Mbjg

[Arctic]

Hi Ian.
I used the above kit very good, use the pads as a wet & dry to clean of the clear coat, then finish off with the cream, use a drill to start then finally use your hand, once clear wash light and dry them off.

When the lights are dry you can add the little packet of UN clear coating, be very careful with this as you only get one chance at it long straight strokes across the light cover it all, do this with lights off the car in the shed or garage as the coating takes up to 4 hours minimum to dry so you do not want flies and dust sticking to it.

1

[rab60bit]

Originally Posted by Arctic

Hi Ian.
I used the above kit very good, use the pads as a wet & dry to clean of the clear coat, then finish off with the cream, use a drill to start then finally use your hand, once clear wash light and dry them off.

When the lights are dry you can add the little packet of UN clear coating, be very careful with this as you only get one chance at it long straight strokes across the light cover it all, do this with lights off the car in the shed or garage as the coating takes up to 4 hours minimum to dry so you do not want flies and dust sticking to it.

1

I used the Sealey kit (identical, just different packaging) - everything you need and quite reasonable price....but exactly what's in the little coating sachet?

[Kerthan23]

Aldi is doing a headlight restoration kit the now £5.99 I think and it does have sealer in it? Don't know if it's upto much or worth it but at that price maybe worth a gamble