Awesome info dude. Thanks.

 

I have to say, amazing cleaning job. And good buy using ebay.

 

you think that putting on a clear coat of paint would help keep the clarity?

 

If you applied clear coat over scratched paint, you'd be able to see the scratches through the clear coat.

But if you wet sand the headlamps first, then polish them to a super shine, and finally applied a little varnish or clear coat.. I think it would help.

If you ask me, it would be safer to simply wet sand them again if they get cloudy.

 

Great thread and awesome results! I used the same procedure on our Mazda 626 and VW Passat with similar results. The only difference was I used a Porter Cable for the final polish (just a little easier on the hands).

To anyone putting this off, just do it! It's easier than it looks and within an hour or two you'll have new looking headlights again.

 

Yup gotta do this sometime soon, just can't look at that fogged up lens on my headlight!

 

nice post i really needed this done too

 

I am new to this fourm but already I have learned so much stuff its overwhelming to me. Lucky i havent really modded my car so I can save lots of money using this forum. Thanks everyone who has contributed hopefully one day i will be come knowledgable to contribute something

 

Guys, I've had some white residue (fog) in patchy areas on my '00 headlights for some time and it's been bothering me. It would not clean off when I rubbed on it while cleaning the car, I started to assume it was on the inside. I searched and found this post, and after reading all the pages, it seemed there was some risk to the sanding thing.

So I figure, start with the easy stuff first. I rubbed in a nice coat of Xymol wax, then rubbed off and buffed lightly. WOW - my headlights are TOTALLY FOG FREE and looking darn near like new again!!! I'd recommend this (or any other kind of wax/car polish) as the first step - sanding ought to be a last resort for really scratched lenses.

 

thanx alot, helpfull thread

 

I've done this on 3 different cars and always get great results. I use the Permatex Headlight Lens Restoration Kit that should be available at any auto parts store (I go to Autozone). It comes with 1000, 1500, 2000, and 2500 grit sandpaper, a bottle of plastic polish, a polishing cloth and gloves. The instructions seem to work pretty well. It's hard to find all of that for cheaper than the $15 this costs! Definitely takes years off of a car's appearance.

 

Has anyone tried wolfgang products?
http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-headlight-how-to.html

 

If you want to spend $50 on this, looks like it will get the job done, plus it ha sealant. Or you could get a much cheaper kit from autozone that will also get the job done. Oooor you could follow the DIY in this thread and have it cost you nothing more than sandpaper and plastic polish All I was missing to get this done was the sand paper in the specified grits

 

I have an orbital sander that I found stored away. It spins at "13000 rpm max", as stated on the label. Would this be safe to use if I find the sand paper discs for it?

What about applying wax with the orbital sander? Any pads or attachments I can use or is 13000 rpm way to fast.

 

I will post pics as soon as i am done. currently working on it now. 800 grit 1500 and then 2000 followed by meguairs polish and scratch remover with a mothers powerball

 

Old picture...

sorry this is the only one I could find...



finished product...





with hids