Headlight restoration

[junglie]

Good morning,

I would like to give my headlights a bit of TLC and have them restored.

Does anybody know of anyone around the Harpenden, Luton, Hitchin area that might be able to do them this weekend?

Alternatively, can anybody recommend a DIY kit if it is easy enough and worth it?

Thank you.

[blue_haddock]

Remove the light or mask it off and use smokers toothpaste on a cloth.

It's really not that difficult.

[jamesbilluk]

I've used this '3M' Kit before with great results.

https://www.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/p/d/b40069623/

[smithyithy]

Depending on how bad they are, and what products you have available, it's definitely something you can DIY.

Often a machine polisher and compound will do the trick (things you may already own if you're into car detailing), alternatively you can buy 'kits' such as this one from Meguiars: https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/cla...

[Ice_blue_tvr]

Sounds like snake oil but works really well..

Used it in the crv and they have started to yellow again very very slightly. But for the price and effort required it's a good product.

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/mat...

Edited by Ice_blue_tvr on Tuesday 4th January 11:59

[Gad-Westy]

The process is basically, polish and then UV protect. The latter bit often gets missed off with DIY methods and it means that your headlights will cloud very quickly afterwards.

The 3M kits works brilliantly and is very easy. I think most reputable kits are more or less the same process and potions.

If you have really deep scratches (that you can feel with your nail) you might struggle to resolve with the normal DIY approaches though.

[IAmTheWalrus]

The headlights on my old mondeo went yellow and the garage rubbed tcut on it and they went very clear afterwards. My brother did his with a little kit off amazon.

[Chubbyross]

junglie said:

Good morning,

I would like to give my headlights a bit of TLC and have them restored.

Does anybody know of anyone around the Harpenden, Luton, Hitchin area that might be able to do them this weekend?

Alternatively, can anybody recommend a DIY kit if it is easy enough and worth it?

Thank you.

Have they just yellowed over time or is there something more serious going on with them. If you could post a pic that would give us a better indication. Also, if you could wait a few weeks I’m up that way every once in a while and could bring my smaller polisher up and give them a quick whizz. If they’re just yellowed then it shouldn’t take long.

[scoey1001]

I've just used a holts kit from euro car parts £15.99. Not perfect but seems to have done a decent job.

[dontlookdown]

jamesbilluk said:

I've used this '3M' Kit before with great results.

https://www.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/p/d/b40069623/

Another vote for this. Works v well and is simple to do. Just follow the instructions and mask off surrounding paint. An hour or so to do both headlights, taking it steady. No need for power tools, hand sanding and polishing is easy and more controllable.

Bonus of the kit is that it has everything you need in it, and comes with UV sealant so they stay clear a lot longer.

[p4cks]

800, 1200, 1500 and 2000 grit sandpaper and I used got some Farecla cutting compound and sealed with Halfords PU protector spray

[ucb]

That's the same process as I used for my mR2 headlights except they have ended up not as clear as I'd hope.
Think I overdid it with the UV protection

[ChocolateFrog]

Isn't 800 grit a little severe? I usually start at 1500.

[Smint]

A decent metal polish such as Peek or Solvol does as good a job as any.

The problem is once the original coating is removed sun damage will see them go hazy again in due course, typically starting to haze within 12 months, so need spraying with a clear coat after.

[Tyre Smoke]

Yep, Solvol Autosol is great.

Never used a UV protector, it's not hard to do them again twelve months later. Takes ten minutes.

[mw88]

I had some surprising results with these https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/armorall-headlight-...

Wasn't expecting much, but needed a quick solution at MOT time. No idea how long it will last though!

Just need to sort the condensation!

[Billy_Rosewood]

The only downside to the armorall stuff is that the sealant doesn't last long so it'll need redoing every so often. A proper layer of lacquer might help.