Headlamp polish..

crash2 · Dec 29, 2012

So what has anybody tried to revive there cloudy headlamp lenses?

I know there are a few products out there specifically made but was wondering input on any of them...

War-Jeeper · Dec 29, 2012

The 3M kit does an awesome job its like 30 bucks at most auto parts stores, all you need is a drill motor. Used it several times usually looks better than new

psychodelicdan · Dec 29, 2012

I have have had great luck with 3m plastic and lens cleaner. Got it at napa works good with a rag. Better with a slow speed buffer on a drill. View attachment 53558

zukkev · Dec 29, 2012

3M's pro kit is tits IMHO...Used it a few yrs ago on my rig, and later on the wife's GC, AMAZING difference!!! Mine were so bad they were almost yellow, and the wife's weren't much better, now they look almost new......It's more expensive, but comes with two orbital sanders/4 different grit sanding discs (down to 1000grit IIRC)/compounds/polish and such...
Using multiple different grit will get the bad rot (yes rot, UV rays kills plastic) off quickly, while fine sanding and polishing will get the shine back on the plastic...lasts for yrs...

messix · Dec 29, 2012

i've used just regular maguires cleaner polish for paint and it work just fine. :awesomework:

unimogken · Dec 29, 2012

I first used toothpaste on a road trip because people recommended it because it is a mild abrasive. It helped out a bit and made more light but it took forever.

When I got home I finished the job with a 3M kit and I followed it up with a Lamin-x film kit with their UV spray stuff. It has kept the headlight super clear for over a year now.

crash2 · Dec 29, 2012

Cool beans--I have heard allot about the 3M stuff....

Now that I have good light again I need to get the lens all cleaned up.

War-Jeeper · Dec 29, 2012

crash said:
Cool beans--I have heard allot about the 3M stuff....

Now that I have good light again I need to get the lens all cleaned up.

Kevin mentioned the 3M pro kit, that ones spendy but they make one thats like 30 bucks with the same stuff just less quantitys and no ordbital sanders is all, but basically the same thing :awesomework:

zukkev · Dec 29, 2012

War-Jeeper said:
Kevin mentioned the 3M pro kit, that ones spendy but they make one thats like 30 bucks with the same stuff just less quantitys and no ordbital sanders is all, but basically the same thing :awesomework:

yep...same cleaner/polisher...you provide the power tools!:redneck:

Jacob · Dec 30, 2012

Plain old cheap turtle wax paste polish for paint. Works wonders on your windshield too. Better than having rainx on it.

skinny_pedal · Dec 30, 2012

We had the 3m pro kit at my last job. Kit worked amazing!

JACKED944RUNNER · Jan 3, 2013

I sell the hell out of the 3M kit. The police here use it in the light bars.

skinny_pedal · Jan 22, 2013

Stopped bye my old shop today and used the 3m pro kit on my Dodge headlights and fogs. It was much needed. You can see the difference. I started wih 500g, not 320g.

Avanteone · Jan 22, 2013

The pro kit is dramatically different than the DIY kits you can buy at the auto parts stores. If yours are just a little hazy, the DIY kits may work.... if they're bad, nothing is going to restore them that costs $20.

LiftedZuki · Jan 22, 2013

I want to try sanding then a buffing wheel.

JOOP · Jan 22, 2013

Avanteone said:
The pro kit is dramatically different than the DIY kits you can buy at the auto parts stores. If yours are just a little hazy, the DIY kits may work.... if they're bad, nothing is going to restore them that costs $20.

I don't know. I've seen the pro-kits turn some horrible, I mean horrible lenses to like new again. You ever seen how bad the lens on a G35 or just about any Nissan? I've been amazed and thought for sure the kit wouldn't work but it saved them and was worth the $100 my old shop would charge to save them hundreds on new headlamps and the kits only cost us as an independent shop $20 per kit.

Lucky Jeff · Jan 23, 2013

might want to re-read John's post, Joop

Unless you're claiming the pro kit only cost you 20 bucks.

Avanteone · Jan 23, 2013

JOOP said:
I don't know. I've seen the pro-kits turn some horrible, I mean horrible lenses to like new again. You ever seen how bad the lens on a G35 or just about any Nissan? I've been amazed and thought for sure the kit wouldn't work but it saved them and was worth the $100 my old shop would charge to save them hundreds on new headlamps and the kits only cost us as an independent shop $20 per kit.

Are you disagreeing or agreeing with me? :eeek:

War-Jeeper · Jan 23, 2013

Avanteone said:
The pro kit is dramatically different than the DIY kits you can buy at the auto parts stores. If yours are just a little hazy, the DIY kits may work.... if they're bad, nothing is going to restore them that costs $20.

I use to sell and demo both kits, they work pretty damn close to the same. You can barely tell which kit you used in a side by side test really in my opinion anyway