Headlight restoration

eelgrass · Saturday at 6:33 PM

It's time to try and restore my 21 year old plastic headlights. There's like 500 videos on YouTube all claiming to the very best way to do it. From kits you can buy to OTC products. Does anybody have any experience doing that?

I'm thinking of getting this kit.

Gator66 · Saturday at 6:48 PM

eelgrass said:
It's time to try and restore my 21 year old plastic headlights. There's like 500 videos on YouTube all claiming to the very best way to do it. From kits you can buy to OTC products. Does anybody have any experience doing that?

I'm thinking of getting this kit.

I’ll be honest from what I’ve seen none of that works like they advertise but someone else may have seen different results

TheOneRidgeRunner · Saturday at 7:16 PM

Save your time and buy new. All the tricks seem to return to the faded dull within a year

LIK2HNT · Saturday at 7:19 PM

They only work for a very short time. A lot of aftermarket headlight assemblies out there at reasonable price with decent quality. For ones that are not offered by aftermarket companies lenses need to be sanded and resprayed with 2 part clear. Been a few years since I had to spray any, but they now offer a 2 part spray can clear. Cost around $45 a can back then and you used what you needed and through the rest away because it would set up in the can.

buckhorn · Saturday at 7:33 PM

eelgrass said:
It's time to try and restore my 21 year old plastic headlights. There's like 500 videos on YouTube all claiming to the very best way to do it. From kits you can buy to OTC products. Does anybody have any experience doing that?

I'm thinking of getting this kit.

I have used that kit.
If you follow the directions it works great.
It will do many headlights and be around for a long time if you take care of it.

Weiserbucks · Saturday at 7:56 PM

All that stuff is a legal scam. Buy new ones.

DeerMadness · Saturday at 8:19 PM

I paid a Oil change place 50 and can have ut redone as much as I want. They are getting thinner after only a few times. I'm retiring so going to sell the car after they fix them.

Horniac · Saturday at 10:23 PM

I tried restoring my daughter’s with one of those kits years ago. Made them look a little better but not much and a lot of work. Was very disappointed!

Fast forward to this year and my headlamp lens and reflectors on my 2006 Duramax were looking pretty sad. Found some headlamp assemblies on Amazon complete with new bulbs, etc. just plug and play. Easy peezy and look great. Replaced my tail lamp assemblies as well…

Cost me around $130 for all four assemblies…

Horniac

Vanilla · Saturday at 11:39 PM

I have used that exact kit. I wash I still had the before and after pic from my wife’s car so I could post them here for you to see. I will tell you, it was pretty extreme. The kit worked as advertised.

I’m 9-10 months in now and it still looks good. I’m not expecting it to be a permanent fix or even as long term as buying new assemblies. But they don’t really claim to be that either.

I used it on my truck and it worked well, but not as well as my wife’s car. It may have been more operator error on that one.

I would use that exact kit again if needed.

PleaseDear · 2024-08-18T03:41:56-0600

Good thing I read a few posts before I posted.

I had the wrong idea of Headlights....

Robb

Soj51hopeful · 2024-08-18T05:51:57-0600

I tried a kit a while back. Didn’t work for me as it seamed a lot of the problem plastic was also on the inside lenses. I just bought new ones.

eelgrass · 2024-08-18T06:18:28-0600

PleaseDear said:
Good thing I read a few posts before I posted.

I had the wrong idea of Headlights....

Robb

Yeah, I thought you might be confused on that one, Robb.

eelgrass · 2024-08-18T06:32:37-0600

Thanks for the input.

I can get new headlights for about $100. I have to remove the grill, but it doesn't seem too difficult as long as I don't break any of the old clips.

If I do the restoration, I'll take a before and after photo.

The truth is, I don't do much night driving any more except during hunting season and we have a good spotlight for that.

mtmuley · 2024-08-18T07:15:43-0600

I've done it with wet sanding. Takes some time but the results are great. mtmuley

MrShane · 2024-08-18T07:37:49-0600

PleaseDear said:
Good thing I read a few posts before I posted.

I had the wrong idea of Headlights....

Robb

Those headlights are waaaaay more fun to polish.

feddoc · 2024-08-18T11:56:49-0600

I wonder how many folks have done the outside of the lenses...when the inside is also goofed up?

JPickett · 2024-08-18T12:22:41-0600

I’ve heard oven cleaner actually works. Never tried it but it makes sense. Eats the oxidation layer on the out side and probably some portion of the plastic itself leaving a clear layer

Anaconda · 2024-08-18T13:27:23-0600

I did my wife's car with a random orbital polisher and some mild rubbing compound.
10 minuets.
90% better
0 cost

eelgrass · 2024-08-18T14:28:06-0600

JPickett said:
I’ve heard oven cleaner actually works. Never tried it but it makes sense. Eats the oxidation layer on the out side and probably some portion of the plastic itself leaving a clear layer

I haven't heard about oven cleaner specifically but it's a heavy duty degreaser which is the first step of some kits. Hummmmm.

JPickett · 2024-08-18T16:13:25-0600

eelgrass said:
I haven't heard about oven cleaner specifically but it's a heavy duty degreaser which is the first step of some kits. Hummmmm.

Been a while since I looked at it but if remember correctly it was oven cleaner and a scotch bright pad

elkassassin · 2024-08-18T17:51:50-0600

Hey Eel?

Don't FRICK Around With Any Of Them Band-Aid Temporary Fixes!

I Found The Real Fix!

For About 64K You Fix Several Issues!

eelgrass · 2024-08-18T19:08:01-0600

elkassassin said:
Hey Eel?

Don't FRICK Around With Any Of Them Band-Aid Temporary Fixes!

I Found The Real Fix!

For About 64K You Fix Several Issues!

I don't think they're selling too well. I drove by the dealer the other day and I see about 10-12 new ones sitting on the lot. Some Tundra's too. 5 years ago they would all be sold but not now.

hawkbill · 2024-08-19T04:10:05-0600

Mag wheel polish and a buffer will clean them up

Tikka · 2024-08-19T07:47:56-0600

PleaseDear said:
Good thing I read a few posts before I posted.

I had the wrong idea of Headlights....

Robb

Same...

eelgrass · 2024-08-19T08:00:10-0600

I ordered the Ceracote Ceramic kit. a 3 step process. It's "guaranteed for as long as you own the vehicle". We'll see about that. $16.

Silentstalker · 2024-08-19T08:16:32-0600

I used bug spray (deep woods off) on mine and it cleaned them up really nice. I would never spray that crap on my skin…

Friend saw it in Tik tok or something like that so I tried it. Super cheap and effective.