Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Andy663 on 18 August 2013, 00:49:00

Title: Headlight cleaning
Post by: Andy663 on 18 August 2013, 00:49:00
Is there a way to clean behind the glass of headlights, mine are a little misty?
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 18 August 2013, 01:09:57
I highly recommend this product. If its not condensation behind the lens that your talking about ?

3M Headlight Restoration Kit to Restore Dull/ Faded/ Discoloured Headlights
http://amazon.co.uk/dp/B0078IHJ1K

This is how my headlights looked after doing them,.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=114643.msg1452527#msg1452527
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: Andy663 on 19 August 2013, 07:41:19
Thanks, I'll give it a go!
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 19 August 2013, 15:10:07
Is there a way to clean behind the glass of headlights, mine are a little misty?

needs to be washed with detergent from inside also..  :-\
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: TheBoy on 19 August 2013, 18:11:57
You sometimes get a little moisture behind the glass. Removing bulbs and using a hairdryer normally gets rid, or even just driving with headlights on.

However, most of what you normally see is on the front, even though it doesn't look like it is.
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: JamesT on 19 August 2013, 22:55:04
My headlights were very dull and failed the MOT.
I rubbed them all over with very  fine grade steel wool. This made them worse but got rid of all the crud on them
I then used T-Cut with a cloth which brought them up shining like new.
But you have to be careful with the bodywork.
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: SandBoy on 21 August 2013, 11:23:09
As above but used Jiffy then TCut....sorted!
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: Bob G on 21 August 2013, 15:08:20
followed the "how to" on here worked a treat just a bit of hard work. :y
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: robson on 22 August 2013, 08:21:03
what is jiffy
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: omega3000 on 22 August 2013, 11:48:28
what is jiffy


Jiffy (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=jiffy%20cloth&source=web&cd=14&cad=rja&ved=0CHcQFjAN&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.westmerciasupplies.co.uk%2Fjiffy-cloth-pack-of-10&ei=2usVUoDdJqiX0AWQ_4GwAg&usg=AFQjCNGlbtDBjJ-KotMKnY_aSuqjMwAQ6Q&bvm=bv.51156542,d.d2k)   :y
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: SandBoy on 22 August 2013, 12:39:27
what is jiffy

Jiffy (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=jiffy%20cloth&source=web&cd=14&cad=rja&ved=0CHcQFjAN&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.westmerciasupplies.co.uk%2Fjiffy-cloth-pack-of-10&ei=2usVUoDdJqiX0AWQ_4GwAg&usg=AFQjCNGlbtDBjJ-KotMKnY_aSuqjMwAQ6Q&bvm=bv.51156542,d.d2k)   :y
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Used to be called Jif (Still is in Oz ,I think? Years ago always known as Jiffy) now known as CIF......so I suppose it's now CIFFY :D
Anyway that bathroom cream cleaner stuff. :y
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: robson on 22 August 2013, 13:46:56
Thanks now I know what Jiffy is however I have purchased the 3M kit I will let you know how it goes :y
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: Andy663 on 23 August 2013, 07:43:08
I've had a go with Carplan's Rubbing Compound on a small area, which seems to work. Does any know what grit sandpaper this is comparable to?
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: SandBoy on 23 August 2013, 09:03:44
This maybe  ::)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grit-2500-P2500-Sandpaper-Paper/dp/B0030HQU0Y/ref=pd_bxgy_diy_text_z

Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: robson on 23 August 2013, 13:11:01
The final sand/emery is P3000
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: robson on 23 August 2013, 13:48:39
Sorry forgot to say that the final sand/emery in the 3Ms polishing kit is P3000 then a polishing paste.
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 23 August 2013, 13:54:05
Don't forget if you don't like the 3M kit for whatever reason tell Amazon and send it back mate Amazon are very reasonable like that its free returns also... Take your time doing it they will look a hell of a lot worse before they look better  :y
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: Mr Gav on 23 August 2013, 20:43:51
I`ve used the 3M kit and it`s really good, well worth the money  :y
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: SandBoy on 24 August 2013, 09:13:07
Hiya
Can someone enlighten me?
What does the 3M kit do that using other cheaper products doesn't or to put it better what's in the kit?
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: robson on 24 August 2013, 09:28:15
The kit has a foam pad to fit into a power drill discs of P500, P800, P3000 masking tape  and a polishing paste. See video 3M.eu/carcare.
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: SandBoy on 24 August 2013, 11:23:57
 :y :)
Think we need to get an Oof headlight cleaning kit on sale ;) :y

I think I will stick to her stuff that's under the kitchen sink though ;)
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: Mr Gav on 25 August 2013, 18:52:11
Here`s my before and after pictures, I doubt cleaning products under the kitchen sink will get rid of the scratches that cause the headlights to be less effective, which is what the 3M kit or wet and dry and t-cut will do.
(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w75/Gav24v/d475dd86-c862-4857-8252-060a03be9f39_zps56f52f6b.jpg)
(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w75/Gav24v/os2_zps8f874da5.jpg)

With winter coming I think it`s £20 well spent, I did mine with the lights off the car and replaced the bulbs while I was at it. The difference was amazing  :y
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: tunnie on 25 August 2013, 20:21:12
OmegaMan did a nice little right up, I think I'm going to have to invest in a set myself
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: SandBoy on 26 August 2013, 10:32:34
Here`s my before and after pictures, I doubt cleaning products under the kitchen sink will get rid of the scratches that cause the headlights to be less effective, which is what the 3M kit or wet and dry and t-cut will do.
(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w75/Gav24v/d475dd86-c862-4857-8252-060a03be9f39_zps56f52f6b.jpg)
(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w75/Gav24v/os2_zps8f874da5.jpg)

With winter coming I think it`s £20 well spent, I did mine with the lights off the car and replaced the bulbs while I was at it. The difference was amazing  :y

Looking good :y,didnt take pics of mine,but they came up very similar :y
I used one of those spongy things with the course green bit on and jif Cif  :),bit of wrist ache but done the job :y
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: Mr Gav on 26 August 2013, 14:02:54
Looking good :y,didnt take pics of mine,but they came up very similar :y
I used one of those spongy things with the course green bit on and jif Cif  :),bit of wrist ache but done the job :y

Thanks  :y the 3M kit makes it easy, no wrist ache...well not from polishing  ;D
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 26 August 2013, 14:54:39
Looking good :y,didnt take pics of mine,but they came up very similar :y
I used one of those spongy things with the course green bit on and jif Cif  :),bit of wrist ache but done the job :y

Thanks  :y the 3M kit makes it easy, no wrist ache...well not from polishing  ;D

+1 Makes the job much easier  :y

Can't comment on how long the result lasts but so far on the 2.2 I'd say 6 months / 3.2 was done some 3/4 months ago and they both still looks like I just did them, Although I've put plastic protectant products on them to help every month or so  :)
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: robson on 26 August 2013, 19:23:39
What are these plastic protective products
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 26 August 2013, 19:57:23
What are these plastic protective products

Depends what i have, But normally stuff like this.. They help with UV damage and repel water so kinda seals them. HTH  :)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-Ultimate-Protectant-Dash-Restorer/dp/B0044090GC/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1377543262&sr=1-1&keywords=plastic+protectant

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Armor-All-10500EN-Finish-Protectant/dp/B00518H608/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1377543262&sr=1-2&keywords=plastic+protectant

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001151E5I/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Title: Re: Headlight cleaning
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 26 August 2013, 23:23:07
What are these plastic protective products

Depends what i have, But normally stuff like this.. They help with UV damage and repel water so kinda seals them. HTH  :)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-Ultimate-Protectant-Dash-Restorer/dp/B0044090GC/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1377543262&sr=1-1&keywords=plastic+protectant

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Armor-All-10500EN-Finish-Protectant/dp/B00518H608/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1377543262&sr=1-2&keywords=plastic+protectant

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001151E5I/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is highly recommended on other forums for this sort of thing  :y

http://www.amazon.co.uk/303-Aerospace-Protectant-Trigger-protector/dp/B0004ELKC4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377555677&sr=8-1&keywords=303+aerospace

Hmmm might have to buy one myself  :-X ;D