Headlight restoration kits.

[motoman]

Just curious, anyone used those do it yourself headlight restoration kits that you can get at Autozone and such? Are the results really that good?

[JC316]

Just curious, anyone used those do it yourself headlight restoration kits that you can get at Autozone and such? Are the results really that good?

I did on my old 98 Cadillac. It was WELL worth it.

Before:


After:

[TENGRAM]

I've always used metal polish with great results and I've heard that toothpaste works very well. Any light abrasive should do the trick. The metal polish I use is made by Turtle Wax.

[motoman]

Did you guys do it by hand or drill attachment? Do you have to use fine grit sandpaper after or what?

[TENGRAM]

Did you guys do it by hand or drill attachment? Do you have to use fine grit sandpaper after or what?

I've done it with just the polish and some paper towels and I've done it with a buffer. Either way works fine. Depending on the size of your lights and the extent of the haziness, just using paper towels or a rag might be quicker since the buffer tends to sling polish all over everything.

[joes01bullitt]

Did you guys do it by hand or drill attachment? Do you have to use fine grit sandpaper after or what?

I used a buffer. Its still a pain in the ass to do though.

[TENGRAM]

I used a buffer. Its still a pain in the ass to do though.

really? Mine was so easy I went around and did all of my family members' headlights for fun. Seriously. There are times when I wish I had it with me to secretly do some random person's headlights while they're away from their car . Foggy headlights bug the shit out of me.

[racrguy]

You can DIY a kit yourself for possibly cheaper than they charge. 1k grit sandpaper to start, 2k next, then polishing compound. I've done it numerous times. FYI, Dodge truck headlights are hard as shit and I don't think I've ever gotten a pair to come out ok.

[95DRGT]

The 3M kit that they sell at NAPA does the trick-it has various pads to fit on your cordless drill. Works like a charm- I think it is about $15

[UserX]

The 3M kit that they sell at NAPA does the trick-it has various pads to fit on your cordless drill. Works like a charm- I think it is about $15

X2. WalMart sells them as well.

[Smeghead]

Meguiar's kit is polish with a buffing wheel for your drill. It's easy and works really well when the lens is not too far gone.
The 3M kit has you progressively sanding the lens and then polishing. You use the pad in the kit on your drill. This has worked on even the worst ones I have seen. I had to use it on my Jag that came with a UV coating (clearcoat I guess) and now I just polish a little when they need it.

[351Coupe]

I tried that 25$ 3m kit with the drill with shitty results, but I don't know maybe I didn't use it right.

However, the 8.99 Turtle Wax kit that you do by hand is fucking outstanding if you're willing to put the work into it. I bought 2 kits and did 2 sets of new edge Mustang headlights with them and they looked like new. I did a set of bright 99-00 lights and set of stock dark 01-04 lights. I have pics of the bright 99-00 set before and after if you want to see. It's a lot of work to do it by hand but well worth it, and for me it looked better than the drill kit, but maybe I wasn't using that one right.

[Darren M]

I'm refurbing a couple of 99-04 headlights right now using the 3m kit with GREAT success. I'm also pulling the amber out of the headlights to give it a cleaner look. Like this.. Let me know if you want a pair.

[sdun]

You can go to a paint supply store and get the Presta kit. It is the best of all the kits. It comes w/ the buffing pad for the drill, compound, cleaner for after the compound, and a sealer for the lens after you buff. The sealer is a uv cured product so the sun needs to be shining when you apply it. I have done several sets including my 01 Dodge truck lights and they all look like new.

[motoman]

Thanks fellas, I'll be looking into some of these. I checked out a few videos on youtube showing some of the kits and them some with just toothpaste and a polish and it seems that you get the same results for the most part. It looks like using a drill with buff pad or an actual buffer makes the most difference.