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[gbh]

Hi everyone,I've noticed my headlights seem dulled when looking at them not switched on.I thought about a restoration kit or newer headlights any thoughts?? MOT'S coming up!!

[minifreek]

The Meguires restoration kit is very good, expensive TBH but very good....

You can also get the same result from using increasing grade wet and dry paper, used wet with a touch of washing up liquid, then use T-Cut to bring back the clearcote

[zirk]

Yep both of above and 3M do a Kit. 

All of which is hard work tbh.

[Vicar]

I have just done mine. Spent 90 mins doing them both using 1500 & 2000 grit paper with water. Then I used moggies step 2 paint cleaner. I did start to use auto gym glass polish but that started to fog up again so I resorted back to meggies again. Tough work but worth it.

[Broomies Mate]

No such thing as lacquer or clear-coat on the plastic lenses, but good advise has been given.

Depending on how bad they are, start with 600 (if really bad) or 1200 grit paper with a drop (and I mean a drop) of washing up liquid in a litre or two of water.  Move onto 2000 grit paper and then 3000 grit.  Finish off with a cutting paste, something like G3 will do a good job, then move onto a decent polish.  They will be crystal clear.

You will help yourself immensely if you have a machine polisher or mop.  If not, expect sore arms!! 

[flyer 0712]

I have today used a ...scratch doctor...headlight scratch repair,polish.and protector for plastic lenses....and i am amazed at the result in no time at all ....total cost with postage was £12.60......even done mobile phone screen that was realy dull and the same results...I am very happy with it.

[iansoutham]

No such thing as lacquer or clear-coat on the plastic lenses, but good advise has been given.

Depending on how bad they are, start with 600 (if really bad) or 1200 grit paper with a drop (and I mean a drop) of washing up liquid in a litre or two of water.  Move onto 2000 grit paper and then 3000 grit.  Finish off with a cutting paste, something like G3 will do a good job, then move onto a decent polish.  They will be crystal clear.

You will help yourself immensely if you have a machine polisher or mop.  If not, expect sore arms!! 

OE spec lamps from most manufacturers actually do have a UV coating on them to prevent the plastic cracking and dulling quickly. When I worked in my Vauxhall Main Dealer Bodyshop, we used to have to repair headlamps for the insurance companies if lightly scratched and, once repaired, the final stage was a UV lacquer coating. You can tell if the UV coating is there as you will "burn through" the same as a normal lacquer and get this outline. If that happens, you need to sand it all back and recoat it.

If you look at pattern headlamps, especially DEPO, they do not have this coating and they will get stress-cracks on the curves of the lamp within a year normally.

[idwal]

Flyer 0712.   Can u tell me where u got you headlight repair kit
And was it expensive?

Ta

[gbh]

Thanks for all the advice,i can say by feeling the light there would seem to be a lacquer which has come off making them feel rough and dulled!!! Its not all over so you can feel a ridge,when using the kit do you rub all over good and bad or just the bad area?

[brian36]

i used the 3m kit was great stuff and easy bought online sure it was about £19 

[gbh]

Well i bought some "Tcut headlamp restoration kit" and i tried my best and some considerable time and i would have to say the improvement was marginal.Certainly smoother to the touch but the dullness is still there,i would say you need a machine to have any real affect.I still have some product left so if it fails mot i could try the sandpaper technique or new lights of course.Thanks for all your replies!!!!

[mickyboy123]

yes i once tried a t cut headlight restorer totaly useless lots of hard work hardly made any difrence .you def need to go the wet and dry route.

[tigers_gonads]

No such thing as lacquer or clear-coat on the plastic lenses, but good advise has been given.

Depending on how bad they are, start with 600 (if really bad) or 1200 grit paper with a drop (and I mean a drop) of washing up liquid in a litre or two of water.  Move onto 2000 grit paper and then 3000 grit.  Finish off with a cutting paste, something like G3 will do a good job, then move onto a decent polish.  They will be crystal clear.

You will help yourself immensely if you have a machine polisher or mop.  If not, expect sore arms!! 

This 

[Keith ABS]

  i did the 1200 grit and then the 2000 grit (superfine) sand and G3 polish on mine. Took about 15 minutes a lamp. SWMBO has a Hyundai that was bad as well, used same method on that with same good results. Just take your time and dont panic when you see the lens completly white after sanding, the polish will bring it back to clear quite quickly
keith B

[Nick W]

  i did the 1200 grit and then the 2000 grit (superfine) sand and G3 polish on mine. Took about 15 minutes a lamp. SWMBO has a Hyundai that was bad as well, used same method on that with same good results. Just take your time and dont panic when you see the lens completly white after sanding, the polish will bring it back to clear quite quickly
keith B

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that didn't make a meal out of it!
Mine were very bad, dark yellow and very rough. A few minutes each with G3 brought them back to a nice clear finish. I was going to finish with some G10, but the finish was plenty good enough and I couldn't find it.

They're such a small area that using a mop isn't worth the hassle(making a mess, trying not to burn the surface or the edges of the paint on the wings and bumper), although anybody who knows enough to use one probably doesn't need any advice on doing this job.