Fix Oxidized Headlights

[JesusArTorres]

While I wait on getting new headlights, I wish to fix/clean the current ones up a bit. What is the best way to do this?

I tried looking for a thread but had no success.

 

[Big Buttons]

Sand them down with 2000 grit sand paper then spray clear coat over them. I have done that on many vehicles and still look good over 2 years later.

 

[NathanJax]

Sand them down with 2000 grit sand paper then spray clear coat over them. I have done that on many vehicles and still look good over 2 years later.

If they're not too far gone...

 

[ezdaar]

i also, wetsand then extensivly untill all of the oem clearcoat is removed.
as you wetsand them (use alot of water) dry them off from time to time so you can see if the oem clear is removed completely.

Once its removed grab your buffer, start with a heavy scratch remover. work the lenses until all of the 2k marks are removed and you have a glass smooth even finish.
Follow up with a polish. this will turn them crystal clear.

Takes aprox 30 mins per light.
This will give you time to find you a set of denali projectors, PM inc on where to find them.
After the 2k wetsand

After polishing

After polish, as you can see the blinker need alil more wetsanding.



Clear turns

 

[Gzes]

What he said. Dont get cheap clear coat it Will yellow fast

 

[JesusArTorres]

Is there an alternative to a buffer. I don't have one of those...

Or what's a good decent-priced one? I don't want to invest in one that will cost as much as the new headlights.

 

[ezdaar]

Obviously clear coat them after polishing them.
But don't clear them after just 2k wetsand, you will see thousands of micro scratches in the lens and the light will flare like HIDs in halogen housings.
When you wetsand them, go length wise. DONOT, I Repeat DONOT change directions or use circular patterns, it will leave scratches in it that will never get out.
Tip, put some painters tape ofer the holes the bulbs go in. the silver inside the housings do not like water.

To be honest, Anyone that mods vehicles needs a good buffer. It will pay foritself in a year of use. heck I use mine for all kinds of stuff, from polishing counter tops, sinks, knives, etc. change the head and now you have a grinder...

I started with this kit
And expanded from there.
You can get a cheap buffer but it will break and not do the job half as good and take 3x as long.

Cheap buffer for small jobs. never used it. but its cheap and will probably get the job done.

 

[yates ™]

I would spray a quality automotive clear over the lights after doing the steps ezdaar mentioned.

 

[ezdaar]

Correction compound for after the 2k wetsand

After the correction compound.

These two gets what you see in the pics above, with lil to no effort.
I use this stuff on everything from plastic, tile, counter tops, to glass.
While I do have other more fine tuned chems, those are the getter done quick and cheap out of the bunch.

 

[Pockets]

Just try a kit and see what it dose

 

[ezdaar]

Those kits are good for wheels, they suck ass on headlights.

 

[Yukongk]

If it hasn't been mentioned, I restored lights that were worse off than yours with a 3m Kit from auto zone. It attaches to a drill and comes w all the sandpaper you will need.
I would coat them with a permanent coating like Opticoat (the headlight coating, not the regular paint coating) and you will never have to redo them.

 

[CHUBBFRESH]

I just read somewhere that they used toothpaste n two rags and brought their headlights back to life...I'll try and find the link

 

[SLCHOE]

True Brand headlight restoration kit #t601

This is by far the best kit out there. I have probably done over 300 vehicles myself with this product. (Used car department of a Honda Dealership).

The buffing and clearcoat method is flawed. It will look good for a while but the will yellow again.

This stuff is basically a wetsand and clearcoat process but replaces the UV coating you remove when sanding with a superior UV coating in the clearcoat you apply afterwards.

It will make yellow oxidized headlights look just like new again if done correctly.

The shop I work at now was doing the buffing method and it really doesnt even compare. I showed them the method I used and it was night and day. Crystal clear clarity.

 

[JesusArTorres]

Thanks for the help and suggestions. I went ahead and got a Megiuar's kit and I was happy with how it came out.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

---------- Post added at 05:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:05 PM ----------

Should I still clear coat it though or leave it like this?

 

[nickbaldwin86]

I just used this on all my cars, they look brand new

http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g3000-heavy-duty-headlight-restoration-kit/