Headlight Restoration Kits...Educate me...

[Nufy]

I picked up a 206 Rav 4 for my son but the headlights are severely faded.

Anyone use one of those headlight restoration kits before.

how did it turn out ? Should I bother ?

Recommended brand ?


Thanks.

[firebane]

They mostly all do the same thing. Wet sand down and buff and polish.

The key is to ensure there is a clear coat or coating that is UV rated to help stop it.

[bjstare]

I used a generic meguiars one, it was semi-worth it; the important part is re-sealing the headlights with something after. If you only use the kit, they will haze over again (that's what happened to me). There is an old thread here somewhere with someone posting their recipe for a solution to coat the headlights with after doing the kit - basically clearcoat+mineral spirits or something like that. I never actually tried the last step since I sold that car, and my cars since have been new enough that this isn't an issue.

All that is to say, don't bother unless you plan on re-clearing them after. The last step is not a lot of work, but if you don't do it, you're wasting your time.

edit: here's a good writeup

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/443547-DIY-Headlight-restoration-walk-through

[98brg2d]

See this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDB5U4QUdD0

I used the Sylvania kit over a year ago and aside from damaging the finish by putting the power washer right up to the lens, the coating has held up pretty well with a very small amount of UV failing. My buddy used the Mothers or Meguiars at the same time and his look as bad as they did before the polish/coat.

Edit: I think the ceramic coatings do as well as the Sylvania coating, for all I know, the Sylvania coating is a ceramic coating.

[ThePenIsMightier]

ChrisFix that.

UEJbKLZ7RmM

[ExtraSlow]

I've done it. Worthwhile, but not magic.
95175

[Thaco]

sand, sand finer, sand finer, sand finer, UV clearcoat

[ThePenIsMightier]

sand, sand finer, sand finer, sand finer, UV clearcoat

*Not starting with a 40-grit

[Kloubek]

sand, sand finer, sand finer, sand finer, UV clearcoat

Pretty much this. Grits I used were 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000. You'll need to go lower than 1000 to start if they are severely yellowed.

As others have said, coating after is key. UV rays will mess up a great job in no time.

[ThePenIsMightier]

...

As others have said, coating after is key. UV rays will mess up a great job in no time.

It's amazing. Like, weeks until they look exactly like shit, again.

[dj_rice]

ChrisFix that.

UEJbKLZ7RmM

Was just about to post that. As stated above, the important key is to UV clearcoat it with automotive grade clearcoat after all the polishing. If you dont clear coat, it'll just look the same in 6 months.

[mr2mike]

On my old car first time using the mother's headlight restoration kit, it took some elbow grease but I decided not to clear it because if that faded, it becomes a massive pain to sand and fix.
Every few months I'd just give it a quick once over with the product. Like new. Lasts longer in winter than summer.
Guess it can help teach your kid some basic car care too.

[Nufy]

*Not starting with a 40-grit

I was thinking of starting with a wire wheel on an angle grinder...

Too aggressive ?

[ThePenIsMightier]

I was thinking of starting with a wire wheel on an angle grinder...

Too aggressive ?

I usually start with a thick pair of gloves and a handful of slate gravel.

[Kloubek]

It's amazing. Like, weeks until they look exactly like shit, again.

Absolutely. The first time I did a headlight restore I had no idea it had to be coated. Like you said... maybe 6-7 weeks and you could barely tell I did a thing. Pretty disappointing considering the amount of time I put into them.

[suntan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDB5U4QUdD0

[ThePenIsMightier]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDB5U4QUdD0

Like in Post#4...

[BokCh0y]

I use this one:

https://www.lowes.ca/product/car-exterior-cleaners/gator-headlight-restoration-kit-470351

I also picked up some 3m film and 3m'ed my headlights afterwards.

https://i.imgur.com/LBuY08r.jpg

[ExtraSlow]

I used this one, as I mentioned earlier, my only tip is to be more agressive than you think.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mother-s-headlight-restoration-kit-0392895p.0392895.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAhZT9BRDmARIsAN2E-J2ldgBtqv4HDG4yyt80GHZtB-1NPlpSdSeEKbAsFh25y6PsPLnG6rQaAlBUEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#store=419

[suntan]

Like in Post#4...

Oops, I'll post it again.

[mr2mike]

my only tip is to be more agressive than you think.
Ask Leo section?

[ExtraSlow]

95191

[rlim891]

Headlight restoration kits that only sands and polish will typically last about 1 year or so before it starts to oxidise again.

Ppf or ceramic coat or UV coat it.

✌️

[Kloubek]

Headlight restoration kits that only sands and polish will typically last about 1 year or so before it starts to oxidise again.

Ppf or ceramic coat or UV coat it.

✌️

I'm sure it depends on the plastic used, how clean you got it, and how much direct sun it gets. But for a typical car left in the sun, you'd be damn lucky to get a year out of it imo. As stated earlier, my original attempt clouded over in way (way) less time than that.

[sneek]

Agreed. At a minimum it is worth while to at least shoot some cheap rattle can clear over restored headlights. Even that won't protect the lenses forever.

[firebane]

Agreed. At a minimum it is worth while to at least shoot some cheap rattle can clear over restored headlights. Even that won't protect the lenses forever.

Most rattle can clears are not UV capable and will just end up fading, cracking or peeling.

[sneek]

Most rattle can clears are not UV capable and will just end up fading, cracking or peeling.

huh! Today I learned. I did my headlights ages ago with clear from Advance Auto Color and they still look good 5 years later.

That said, the car is rarely parked outside and gets washed/waxed often.

[dj_rice]

huh! Today I learned. I did my headlights ages ago with clear from Advance Auto Color and they still look good 5 years later.

That said, the car is rarely parked outside and gets washed/waxed often.

Exactly. Use automotive paint grade clear

[firebane]

huh! Today I learned. I did my headlights ages ago with clear from Advance Auto Color and they still look good 5 years later.

That said, the car is rarely parked outside and gets washed/waxed often.

Then you bought a 2k clear which is a proper clear for that purpose.

The stuff you buy at your "Canadian Tire" is not.