08-17-2020, 03:28 PM
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#1
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Best current headlight plastic polish
been meaning to attack this issue. typical hazing on the front clear headlamp housings. would love for them to look like new. what products and techniques are people using
thx!
Last edited by rwh963; 08-17-2020 at 10:02 PM.
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08-17-2020, 06:27 PM
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#2
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Join Date: Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwh963
been meaning to attack this issue. typical hazing on the front cleat headlamp housings. would love for them to look like new. what products and techniques are people using
thx!
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This one
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08-17-2020, 06:50 PM
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#3
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Rude, Spartacus . I used Mothers with great results. Did not have to seal afterwards since results are great and I don't mind polishing again in a year or two.
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08-17-2020, 06:50 PM
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#4
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Real Name: Howard J. Turkstra
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I used this kit. It only comes with one wipe, but I did one headlight on my 4Runner (the other headlight was much newer) and a few months later did both headlights on a Corolla. I put the wipe back in its package after using it on my 4R, and it was still good to use a few months later. I forget if I bought it at Walmart or on Amazon.
After a year or so, it was getting cloudy again, so I bought a new aftermarket headlight.
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08-22-2020, 03:07 PM
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#5
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thx for the tips so far. how about using some fine polish with a random orbital polisher?
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08-22-2020, 06:24 PM
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#6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwh963
been meaning to attack this issue. typical hazing on the front clear headlamp housings. would love for them to look like new. what products and techniques are people using
thx!
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I use Meguires Compound. Clears them up, and takes away the yellow. It slowly comes back though after time...
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08-24-2020, 06:47 PM
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#8
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Yesterday, I used the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System, part number 39008 as well as the 3M Quick Headlight Clear Coat, part number 39173.
The results exceeded all of my expectations. The plastic housing lenses are crystal clear, probably more so than when they were new. It took me about two hours to complete the job using all of the abrasive disks in the package and stopping every few minutes to wipe the dust off the lenses. If I had to do it again, I'll probably be able to do it in an hour.
Of course, the question now is, how long will it last. I'll know eventually, but I have lots of confidence in that 3M clear coat product, and I don't expect to have to do this again for at least a few years.
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08-29-2020, 08:49 AM
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#9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seymore Butts
Yesterday, I used the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System, part number 39008 as well as the 3M Quick Headlight Clear Coat, part number 39173.
The results exceeded all of my expectations. The plastic housing lenses are crystal clear, probably more so than when they were new. It took me about two hours to complete the job using all of the abrasive disks in the package and stopping every few minutes to wipe the dust off the lenses. If I had to do it again, I'll probably be able to do it in an hour.
Of course, the question now is, how long will it last. I'll know eventually, but I have lots of confidence in that 3M clear coat product, and I don't expect to have to do this again for at least a few years.
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3M is usually a safe bet. sounds like you have to "sand" the lenses to some degree?
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08-29-2020, 01:02 PM
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#10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwh963
3M is usually a safe bet. sounds like you have to "sand" the lenses to some degree?
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The kit I posted, also 3M, has a disc you put in a drill, removable pads, and UV coat wipes. You just sand/polish with the pads at 3 levels, then wipe on the UV coat. Quick and worked great.
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09-01-2020, 01:07 PM
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#11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwh963
sounds like you have to "sand" the lenses to some degree?
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Not just to some degree. You have to sand and sand and sand. There are three levels of abrasives and a buffing paste in the 3M kit.
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09-01-2020, 07:13 PM
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#12
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so, the majority of my hazing was on the top of the lenses (where the sun would hit most). decided to get out my porter cable random orbital polisher, an orange compound pad, and some Meguiar's ultimate compound. a minute or two on each lens and they look great! took the brown haze right off.
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09-01-2020, 11:59 PM
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#13
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Nice! Just make sure you put a UV coating of some sort as the polishing removes the protective layer. Otherwise they'll yellow/haze up again in months rather than years (or weeks rather than months, depending on where you park).
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2006 4Runner Sport Edition 4WD V6
Dobinsons 2.5"/1.5" - C59-302, GS59-221, C59-505, GS59-705 | General Grabber ATX 265/70R17 | TPMS Bypass Mod
Custom Storage Box/Sleeping Platform Build | Dedicated Transmission Cooler (Derale D13503) | Demello Offroad Sliders
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09-02-2020, 08:49 AM
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#14
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uv coating: would that be a wipe on or spray on?
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