Headlight polishing

[DeLaMano]

Hey everybody!I got a 2003 M&T a few weeks ago. It is in great shape inside and out, but the headlights were definitely showing their age. So I went to KMart and got a headlight polishing kit for $20 (plus there's a $3 rebate going on right now). After working up the nerve to purposely scratch up the lenses, I followed the directions and got some pretty good results. It is definitely better, but they're not crystal clear. I would recommend taking your time. Allow at least 2 hours from start to finish (masking to cleanup) for a good job.Here are the befores and afterses:

[MotoAce51]

Pics not working. I tried this but got impatient and stopped. Now it wont stop raining and I cant start again.

[joatmon]

Apparently the forum software doesn't like https:// in IMG links, seems to auto rewrite it to be http://https://... anyway, the pic links work on http:// so here they are:Quote, originally posted by DeLaMano »

[DeLaMano]

@joatmon Thanks for getting my images up! I'll try rewriting the link without https...

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by DeLaMano » Did I do something wrong in my post? nope, I'd blame it on the forum software. Your links were https, and apparently the forum software doesn't recognize that as the beginning for an image URL, so it put http in front of it, in a failed attempt to "correct" the link. Thats my theory anyway.

[DeLaMano]

Okay, I guess that works. But now they're only showing up in your quoted post, and not in the original post even though that has been http'd. I'm confused.

[joatmon]

right now the image links are showing up as http://https//lh6.googleusercontent.com ... 008.jpgyou would need to edit your post to make them look likehttp://lh6.googleusercontent.com/__ijbLU8p_B4/TahF03T2ZAI/AAAAAAAAAic/FlhqA_uvhQg/s400/IMAG0008.jpg(I'm only a user here, can't edit it for you)or you could get creative, glob them into a single image and upload it to the forumbtw, looks like the polishing made a strikingly effective change in the clarity of the plastic

Attached files

[silverbullet]

Hey thanks for posting this up. Mine look just like your first picture. I wasn't sure if this would be the right solution because they don't look hazed over like my older cars I have done this too, just always look dirty. Now ill have to get around to this sometime

[rAERRK]

whats the cause of this? my cars almost 7 years old and the headlights still look new

[MotoAce51]

I have no idea what causes this. One side of mine is perfect and looks new, and the other side looks like crap. Its smoked and blurry. I need to get back out and do it again. There are so many products out there and I have no idea which works and which dont....

[silverbullet]

3m makes a good kit ive used on other cars with nice results, you could try that one. ive always thought it was caused by sunlight damage. i heard a story that one guy wanted to protect the lens before that happened. put regular old sunblock on the lenses........ it melted them.

[cptnsolo77]

Looks better! I used the Turtle Wax Headlight Kit. It comes with 3 pads, compound and lubericant. It comes out great, but you have to maintain it afterwards. Has anyone used the mothers powerball for thier headlights? I was thinking about using it with some lens compound to keep it clear ( like once a month ) Any users?

[DeLaMano]

I used the 3M kit. They have refill kits, too. Again, TAKE YOUR TIME! I wish I would have not been so impatient. Someday I'll hit it again, but have more important things to focus on right now... Like aftermarket radio install.

[(Double D)]

Mine were hazed over horribly, They were pretty much yellow. So I busted out some 600, 1000, and 1500 grit wet/dry sand paper. Then broke out the Mcguires plast-x kit. They buffed out pretty much like new. As far as for what causes them to fog and haze, It's just oxidation/breaking down of the plasic by the UV rays, as well as exposure to salts and de-iceing agents depending on your location.