Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Nov 2005
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http://www.amazon.com/3M-39084-Headlight-Restoration-Kit/dp/B006VB8JTQThis one worked great. I wish I had taken before and after pictures. You do the work by hand. The circular sponge has velcro for attaching the different grades of sanding discs. Final step you use the reverse side of the sponge to apply rubbing compound. Tape around the headlights first.
M3 and M80
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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Thanks, that's good to know! I've been thinking about doing it on my Honda. What kind of tape did you use?
Last edited by Ken.C; 07/21/12 09:56 PM.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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Crystal View Headlight Restorer on Joyce's old car:
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
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PS - I see that Peter used Crystal View and liked it also...
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Nov 2005
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connoisseur
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OP
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I didn't use any tape. I wish I had. I was careful not to scratch the sides. But when I was done and applying the final step the rubbing compound highlighted the edges that I did not do as well as the rest. About 1/8 of an inch.
M3 and M80
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
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connoisseur
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Looks good! I was thinking about doing the same thing. Consumer reports recently gave the restoration kit below the top rating at of the kits they tested so was thinking about giving it a try. http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-Headlight...restoration+kit
-David
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
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Reviews on the one Mark and Peter used are pretty mixed. How long did you spend sanding and whatnot, Mark?
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
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It was awhile ago, Ken, but I remember the whole thing taking me maybe an hour.
Yeah, now that I look, I'm seeing mixed reviews, too. It looks like the "protectant" that you put on after may not be all that long lasting. I dunno.... we did it not too long before selling the car.
I remember I looked for it in particular because of good ratings at the time.
Ken, check your GMail account.
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,015
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Aug 2009
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I've used that kit on a friends car and it worked great. I just used masking tape on the body parts.
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,281
connoisseur
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connoisseur
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Although i am a auto mechanic ,I do a few at work from time to time. If we replace a headlight assembly i will restore the other one. I use 1000 wet/dry then 2000 followed by meguires #2 fine cut cleaner used with a power polisher with a wool wheel. I am lazy and dont believe in any extra labour being expended than absolutely necessary. Takes about 15 minutes per light.
DOG is GOD spelled backwards. What others think of me is none of my business. M80 V3 MY GLOSS Cherry
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 63
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 63 |
FYI . Most auto manufacturers use clear coat paint on the original plastic headlights . Once you have buffed it off , You need to polish every time you wash the car as dulling will result . I have a couple older vehicles and have often wondered if spraying the covers with new clear coat would save me some buffing and polishing time
M60,s Vp160 , QS8,M3,s Svs 12 . Yammy 3063 ,Panamax 5100,PS3,Optima HD80 Axiom Air
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
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What is this "wash the car" you speak of?
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,281
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2009
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I have sprayed my tail lights with 2k clear after applying night shades ,so far so good. But out front i would suspect the crap from the car in front would cause it to chip and peel. I did my headlights 3 yrs ago still nice and clear .
DOG is GOD spelled backwards. What others think of me is none of my business. M80 V3 MY GLOSS Cherry
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,625
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2002
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Slightly off topic, but does anyone know if any of the products on the market actually take salt stains out of car carpet? Without making the car to smelly to actually sit in going forward?
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
Perhaps if they are fresh stains. I have yet to find anything that works on older salt stains. Salt doesn't just stain, it also eats away at the material like a slow acid, so a decent restoration is impossible.
Of course, maybe if the carpets were cleaned more regularly, it wouldn't get to that stage, in which case that stuff might actually work.
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Nov 2005
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connoisseur
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OP
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I have never tried this on salt. But I use it and it works really good. Maybe you could email them and ask. http://www.folexcompany.com/
M3 and M80
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 485
devotee
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devotee
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 485 |
Amie use extremly hot water.. spray all afected areas well + use small brush + use a shop vac to remove all the water afterwards... this will completly remove all winter salt stains
Last edited by Johnny_Be_Good; 07/23/12 02:47 PM.
7.1.4 * MRX1120 * M100s * 180HP * 4x M3-on walls * 4x M3-IC * dual XV15se * Shakers
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 485
devotee
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devotee
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 485 |
Amie use extremly hot water.. spray all afected areas well + use small brush + use a shop vac to remove all the water afterwards... this will completly remove all winter salt stains I do this every spring and carpets are like new.. I do it on a hot summer day and let the windows 2 inches open a few hours and it drys in notime.. if you let the salt sit over time will eventually damage your carpets
7.1.4 * MRX1120 * M100s * 180HP * 4x M3-on walls * 4x M3-IC * dual XV15se * Shakers
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,236
connoisseur
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OP
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While we are on the topic of cleaning cars. It takes awhile, and it takes multiple applications, but I have done wonders with enzyme based natural deodorizers and cleaners.
Last edited by Lampshade; 07/23/12 02:58 PM.
M3 and M80
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,745 Likes: 17
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,745 Likes: 17 |
Very nice to hear some real reviews on the headlight restoration topic. We have an older CRV that we've been contemplating a restoration. Almost bought a kit while in Walmart last week. Since i haven't been in a Walmart in over 5 years, that alone says something. I'm just not sure what.
I'll pick something up probably this week and post some pics before and after. Hopefully i can get the pictures focused as nicely as Mark's, but probably not. Who am i kidding? He's a photo guru.
Last edited by chesseroo; 07/23/12 05:22 PM.
"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 484
devotee
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devotee
Joined: Oct 2006
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Coincidentally, a couple of months ago I used a Meguiar kit (from Canadian Tire, for us Canucks, eh ). If Mark's photo's represent a 10/10, I'd say that my results were probably a 6/10, after a fair effort. Taped the surrounding paint too on my aging '98 Caravan. The headlights were better, but I was somewhat disappointed to be honest. I've had better luck with other Meguiar's products in the past, so I expected better.
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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Slightly off topic, but does anyone know if any of the products on the market actually take salt stains out of car carpet? Without making the car to smelly to actually sit in going forward? If they're too smelly to sit in going forward, driving in reverse with the windows open will get rid of the smell.
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,745 Likes: 17
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,745 Likes: 17 |
Coincidentally, a couple of months ago I used a Meguiar kit (from Canadian Tire, for us Canucks, eh ). If Mark's photo's represent a 10/10, I'd say that my results were probably a 6/10, after a fair effort. Taped the surrounding paint too on my aging '98 Caravan. The headlights were better, but I was somewhat disappointed to be honest. I've had better luck with other Meguiar's products in the past, so I expected better. These are the one step kits which basically just have you buff the headlight with an abrasive and solvent. Most the other kits include the multistep sanding parts which frankly should work better to remove the surface layer from the headlight. I would suggest you try one of those kits with more steps involved. One stop solutions rarely work well to fix anything. We just picked up the 3M kit. Hopefully will get at this sometime later this week.
"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
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Re: Headlight restoration kit
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,745 Likes: 17
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: May 2002
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Finished the headlight restore and took the truck on a trip. Definite improvement. Will post pics soon, once i empty out the 900 photos from the vacation.
"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
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