Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration

[s word]

Anything I absolutely must know before tackling my first headlight restoration. Looks 100% straight forward just don't know if there is a list of Do's and Don'ts. I think I have watched just about every video available on using this.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration

Tape, sand, 500/800/1000/2000/3000 grit.
polish with a compound.
Paint with Headlight Restore.
Yes it's very easy. Haven't had a problem yet.

[s word]

Re: Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration

Tape, sand, 500/800/1000/2000/3000 grit.
polish with a compound.
Paint with Headlight Restore.
Yes it's very easy. Haven't had a problem yet.

Was going with Megs kit which I believe has only 1000 and 3000.
Shouldn't be an issue though.

The lights I will be working on have good spots and bad spots not uniform like most lights in the video. Not sure if I should approach full light still or just issue area when it comes to sanding and polishing.
Will try to get together photos if I can.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration

Oh, ok.
well you might beable to get away with a compound. M105 is what I use for quickie/no charge jobs.
Do you have the heavy duty kit?
This should be fine.
post some pics and I'll give you my opinion.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration

Anything I absolutely must know before tackling my first headlight restoration. Looks 100% straight forward just don't know if there is a list of Do's and Don'ts. I think I have watched just about every video available on using this.

Make sure you watched this one: Meguiar's Quik Tips Video Series - Restoring Neglected Headlights

[s word]

Re: Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration

Thanks for the help guys. The vehicle owner was very satisfied with the result. The headlights were ruining a very nice car. I would feel the job incomplete without fixing them.

Below was all completed using Meguiars Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit.
Thumbs up to Megs on this one.

The oxidation was much less transparent than it appears in the photos but I think you will get the idea.

Very cloudy at the top
Thick bar running in middle
Light hazing on bottom

[IMG][/IMG]

Closeup showing hazing, you could not see the bulb with bare eye
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Thicker oxidation bar running across middle, upper light hazing
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Brand NEW!
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There is the bulb.
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Thick oxidation gone.
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Meguiars circular pad didn't fit in the corner. So I worked this area by hand.
[IMG][/IMG]

Other headlight pretty much had uniform hazing. Was also corrected.
Let me know what you think.

Also for anyone on the fence about doing this, get the masking right and this fix is easier to perform than any paint correction I have ever done. And results!

[Detailing by M]

Re: Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration

Nice job! What kind of protection did you put on it?
You really need to get some Headlight Renew Dr. if you want to do this professionally.

http://headlightrenewdoctor.com/Products.php

[s word]

Re: Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration

Nice job! What kind of protection did you put on it?
You really need to get some Headlight Renew Dr. if you want to do this professionally.
http://headlightrenewdoctor.com/Products.php

Meguiar's Heavy Duty kit comes with their own headlight protection solution. I believe it is just called Headlight Protectant.
This is my first headlight set to tackle and I know a few more customers that want it done. I appreciate the product suggestion.

For now I will wait and check the durability of the current fix. I work on this car 3-4 times a year so it will be easy for me to check up.
If I see the need for a professional kit in the future I will check out headlight renew dr.
And I am far from professional, just an enthusiast that likes to see clean cars on the road.

[Murr1525]

Re: Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration

Just including the headlights when you cleaner/polish the paint, then doing some kind of potetant after should maintain them well.

[s word]

Re: Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration

Just including the headlights when you cleaner/polish the paint, then doing some kind of potetant after should maintain them well.

Can they get the same protection as paint too ie Sealant or Wax?
Or should I use the specific item?

I know there are rumors about wax dulling the light or turning it yellow. But I think that is common misconception because to me it looked like oxidation which was then yellowed due to UV light reaction or a mixture of the two.

[Murr1525]

Re: Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration

Well, I'd use the Headlight Protectant if I had it.... or just wax if I didnt.

No idea on how actual durability compares, but just doing it regularly should keep it from being an issue.

What the light actualy had was the UV coating failing (the line that looked like clear coat failure across the middle), and then the part above without the coating oxidized. So you removed what was left of the coating, and the oxidation. Now the whole light is free to oxidize if not protected, but the regular cleaning and protecting would keep up with it.

[s word]

Re: Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration

Well, I'd use the Headlight Protectant if I had it.... or just wax if I didnt.

No idea on how actual durability compares, but just doing it regularly should keep it from being an issue.

What the light actualy had was the UV coating failing (the line that looked like clear coat failure across the middle), and then the part above without the coating oxidized. So you removed what was left of the coating, and the oxidation. Now the whole light is free to oxidize if not protected, but the regular cleaning and protecting would keep up with it.

Very well explained, thanks.

[Guiser]

Re: Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration

Anyone know if the Headlight Protectant can be used on the tail lights as well? I just applied some a few days ago and it went on and buffed off really nicely.

[Murr1525]

Re: Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration

Yeah, same idea on tail lights.

Just doesnt get as hot or take as much abuse back there, so usually the coating holds up better.

[Show 'N' Shine Car Detailing]

Re: Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration

I know a little old but those headlights came out real nice. I'm getting ready to add the HD Kit and regular resto kit from Meg's to my collection.