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So, i just got this G and it badly needs a headlight restoration. Any tips on how to approach this one? Yes, i know the bumper is thrashed lol. In due time my friends.
So, i just got this G and it badly needs a headlight restoration. Any tips on how to approach this one? Yes, i know the bumper is thrashed lol. In due time my friends.
Use a multi-grit sanding kit and finish with a UV protecting clear-coat. This was halfway through my restoration a few years ago.
The 3M 39175 headlight restoration kit that you use with a drill works great, just tape off the paint around the headlight so you don't get the sanding pads into it. (EDIT: Don't get the 39195 which has it's own proprietary headlight sealant, use the SprayMAX)
The trick is to use the first sanding disc (the aggressive one) until you see the YELLOW gone from the headlight, then switch to the finer grit to remove sanding marks. USE WATER WHEN SANDING!!! It will clear the gunk out of the sanding disc and keep it cool, if you go too high of rpm and too fast you will scorch the headlight. Keep the drill on low speed, get a spray bottle of water, be liberal with the water.
Once it's all sparkly clear again, rinse, dry, tape off the surrounding area, and use SprayMAX 2k 368 4068 (2 in 1 headlight clear coat) for about 5 years of perfectly clear headlights.
They will start to yellow again eventually but the 368 4068 does provide a SIGNIFICANT amount of UV protection for a good long while.
I used basically the same 3M kit Cleric mentioned, it just wasn't bundled with the clearcoat. I didn't wet sand until getting to the (3rd?) disk where the instructions called for it. For the clearcoat I went with a 2-step from Sylvania. I got about 3 years before it started slightly yellowing again. If I ever have to do them again I think I'll try that SprayMax.
I'll just note that I've now had two sets clearcoated with auto body clear coat, and after four years for one and five years for the other (the current coupe), there hasn't been any yellowing at all. Still crystal clear. If you have a connection with an auto body shop, they are always spraying clear, and it shouldn't be too much trouble to get it done. But the best way to do it is to remove the headlights and just carry them to the shop.
I'll just note that I've now had two sets clearcoated with auto body clear coat, and after four years for one and five years for the other (the current coupe), there hasn't been any yellowing at all. Still crystal clear. If you have a connection with an auto body shop, they are always spraying clear, and it shouldn't be too much trouble to get it done. But the best way to do it is to remove the headlights and just carry them to the shop.
Do they want you to do any prep? Or do you just wet sand to the max, don’t polish, and then have them sprayed?
I bet if you did all the prep including taping it off they probably wouldn't even charge you for spraying. It's literally 5 seconds of work at that point since they're already spraying cars and there is always clear left over.
Do they want you to do any prep? Or do you just wet sand to the max, don’t polish, and then have them sprayed?
In my case, I had them do the prep/polishing. I did both cars right after I got them; the front bumpers needed resprays, and they were taking the bumpers off the car to paint anyway, so the headlights were easy.
I finally got around to restoring the headlights to a much more acceptable clarity. I used the simoniz heavy duty headlight restoration kit. It was on sale and said heavy duty so, i said to myslef why not. Turned out as ok but not as good as i wanted. I think i will be giving it another attempt sometime in the next few months.
