DIY headlight haze removal (PICS)
#1
DIY headlight haze removal (PICS)
here's the kit i bought:
comes with sandpaper (1000, 1500, 2000, 2500), cloth, rubber gloves, polishing compound, and instructions:
here's the good headlight:
and here's the bad one:
close up:
here's after (it started snowing, i'll take a better pic some other day):
close up:
it is quite a bit better, but still not like the other one
here is a scan of the instructions (big image, so it's readable):
i basically just did exactly as it says to do.
cleaned the headlight
soaked the sandpaper
started with 1000 grit (i had no deep scratches, but A LOT of buildup)
side to side, then up and down for the next one, etc.
then circular with the polish
i probably did at least half a dozen runs with the polish and used nearly the whole bottle
a drill with polisher would have helped a ton for the last step(i have one but couldn't find it)
make sure to clean the headlight between each grit level and between each application of the polish
overall it was quite a bit of work, but does look a lot better than before.
also, the reflective area inside this headlight is damaged
(lost much of its luster due to previously having dirt inside the headlight),
so even if the cover was perfectly clear it wouldn't look at shiny as the other one.
Modified by xluben at 11:59 AM 1/18/2007
comes with sandpaper (1000, 1500, 2000, 2500), cloth, rubber gloves, polishing compound, and instructions:
here's the good headlight:
and here's the bad one:
close up:
here's after (it started snowing, i'll take a better pic some other day):
close up:
it is quite a bit better, but still not like the other one
here is a scan of the instructions (big image, so it's readable):
i basically just did exactly as it says to do.
cleaned the headlight
soaked the sandpaper
started with 1000 grit (i had no deep scratches, but A LOT of buildup)
side to side, then up and down for the next one, etc.
then circular with the polish
i probably did at least half a dozen runs with the polish and used nearly the whole bottle
a drill with polisher would have helped a ton for the last step(i have one but couldn't find it)
make sure to clean the headlight between each grit level and between each application of the polish
overall it was quite a bit of work, but does look a lot better than before.
also, the reflective area inside this headlight is damaged
(lost much of its luster due to previously having dirt inside the headlight),
so even if the cover was perfectly clear it wouldn't look at shiny as the other one.
Modified by xluben at 11:59 AM 1/18/2007
#2
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Re: DIY headlight haze removal (xluben)
do you think you could take pictures showing the process? Or if you already did, post them showing and explaining each step? Pretty much making a write-up on how to clear the haze from your headlights. Then we could add it to the FAQ, I'm sure some people may find it useful.
On a side note, I've also read of others using plastic polish to remove the haze.
On a side note, I've also read of others using plastic polish to remove the haze.
#3
I think it looks ALOT better than it did before and I'm loving the painted stocks... I'm going to attempt that when it warms up... not diggin my Ebay projectors... but I like them better than fogged up headlights so let me know if they start foggin up when it warms up.
#5
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Re: DIY headlight haze removal (TouringAccord)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TouringAccord »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">do you think you could take pictures showing the process? Or if you already did, post them showing and explaining each step? Pretty much making a write-up on how to clear the haze from your headlights. Then we could add it to the FAQ, I'm sure some people may find it useful.
On a side note, I've also read of others using plastic polish to remove the haze.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Meguiars PlastX works really well with a low grit wet-sand paper. I didn't know this kit existed, but it looks very good.
On a side note, I've also read of others using plastic polish to remove the haze.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Meguiars PlastX works really well with a low grit wet-sand paper. I didn't know this kit existed, but it looks very good.
#6
Honda-Tech Member
Re: (shibbywhitedude)
i think you need to be warm before doing this.
there's a protective coating on the surface, sanding it down or using aggressive buffing compound on the coating will pretty much put it out of service.
with the coating you will get the white haze after a while, most people put wax on it to keep it glossy for few months
there's a protective coating on the surface, sanding it down or using aggressive buffing compound on the coating will pretty much put it out of service.
with the coating you will get the white haze after a while, most people put wax on it to keep it glossy for few months
#7
Re: (shibbywhitedude)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TouringAccord »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">do you think you could take pictures showing the process? Or if you already did, post them showing and explaining each step? Pretty much making a write-up on how to clear the haze from your headlights. Then we could add it to the FAQ, I'm sure some people may find it useful.
On a side note, I've also read of others using plastic polish to remove the haze.</TD></TR></TABLE>
added to the original post, including the actual instructions the kit comes with.
here's where i got the idea, they used a 3M cleaner/polish made for plastics.
http://www.6thgenaccord.com/fo...=2167
i went to o'reilly's and this is what they had, so i got it
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by shibbywhitedude »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think it looks ALOT better than it did before and I'm loving the painted stocks... I'm going to attempt that when it warms up... not diggin my Ebay projectors... but I like them better than fogged up headlights so let me know if they start foggin up when it warms up.</TD></TR></TABLE>
thanks, it does look much better than before (especially in person).
On a side note, I've also read of others using plastic polish to remove the haze.</TD></TR></TABLE>
added to the original post, including the actual instructions the kit comes with.
here's where i got the idea, they used a 3M cleaner/polish made for plastics.
http://www.6thgenaccord.com/fo...=2167
i went to o'reilly's and this is what they had, so i got it
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by shibbywhitedude »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think it looks ALOT better than it did before and I'm loving the painted stocks... I'm going to attempt that when it warms up... not diggin my Ebay projectors... but I like them better than fogged up headlights so let me know if they start foggin up when it warms up.</TD></TR></TABLE>
thanks, it does look much better than before (especially in person).
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#8
H-T Order of Merit
Re: (xluben)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by xluben »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">added to the original post, including the actual instructions the kit comes with.</TD></TR></TABLE>
#11
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Re: DIY headlight haze removal (xluben)
When i had my 1g talon, the headlights were like yellow basically, i couldnt find a kit like that around... so i ended up buying this maguires plastx stuff, it worked pretty damn good
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Re: DIY headlight haze removal (xluben)
Good Post the left headlight on my 6th gen accord is a lil cloudy also and i was wondering what i could do to get it looking a lil better
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Re: DIY headlight haze removal (Tyte-S)
I've used sum stuff like that but after they go wet it all came back... like it washed everything off... should I wet sand it first before using that stuff??? cause I've spent lots of time trying to figure out what to do I almost bought new headlights just to get rid of the haze.
#17
MM Gruppe B
Re: DIY headlight haze removal (PICS)
It's not a build up, its the lens breaking down from UV and being sand blasted by road grit and bug guts. The mothers polish is great at removing the lighter creamy haze, the darker yellow dull will require a bit more effort.
#18
Honda-Tech Member
Re: DIY headlight haze removal (PICS)
True story. Thats why you gotta be careful when you sand it and polish it IF!! your using air tools to do this. The constant contact of the sand paper and polish can cause the headlight to heat up and to be permenetly destroyed. I do this stuff almost 3 times a day at work. If your using elbow grease you dont really have to worry about the friction contact
#19
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Re: DIY headlight haze removal (PICS)
BG Products has a kit that also applies a UV protective coating in the process. Haven't used it but have a friend who is a rep in my area. (He keeps trying to talk me into letting him use it on my car, but mine aren't that bad.) He says that another cause of this is the lens being exposed to exhaust gases while driving.
#20
Re: DIY headlight haze removal (PICS)
I've used this stuff:
It works pretty well. 6 months ago I only used the lens clarifying compound and it worked. Yesterday I used the entire kit - sand paper and lubricant. Took a lot of elbow grease and time, but the lenses are clearer.
It works pretty well. 6 months ago I only used the lens clarifying compound and it worked. Yesterday I used the entire kit - sand paper and lubricant. Took a lot of elbow grease and time, but the lenses are clearer.
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Re: DIY headlight haze removal (TouringAccord)
"Meguiars PlastX works really well with a low grit wet-sand paper. I didn't know this kit existed, but it looks very good"
Agreed, I have used this product on several cars and it works well, never thought of using some wet dry sandpaper in the process, good suggestion. I have to do my headlights soon so I will use the wet dry next time and provide some before and afters with this. I will keep in mind to be careful about the UV coating, but it seems to me that this coating is beginning to peel or wear away once I took a good look at it today, on some parts there seems to be wear as if the clear coat on a car was worn and peeling away (hahaha my cars paint is shot). Very similar look but without the flaking. I guess ill just have to be careful. Also good suggestion on the mag and aluminum polish, I have some but I think from a different company. Ill test it on a small section to see if there is any difference than with PlastX.
Agreed, I have used this product on several cars and it works well, never thought of using some wet dry sandpaper in the process, good suggestion. I have to do my headlights soon so I will use the wet dry next time and provide some before and afters with this. I will keep in mind to be careful about the UV coating, but it seems to me that this coating is beginning to peel or wear away once I took a good look at it today, on some parts there seems to be wear as if the clear coat on a car was worn and peeling away (hahaha my cars paint is shot). Very similar look but without the flaking. I guess ill just have to be careful. Also good suggestion on the mag and aluminum polish, I have some but I think from a different company. Ill test it on a small section to see if there is any difference than with PlastX.
Last edited by sleeps41; 04-13-2011 at 10:15 PM. Reason: added a few lines
#22
Honda-Tech Member
Re: DIY headlight haze removal (PICS)
The effectiveness of Plast-X seems to be extremely temperature dependant. Too hot or too cold and it won't break down into the clear liquid that needed to buff the platstic. It only seems to last for a few days or until the headlight gets wet.
I sanded my lights a couple years ago and have been applying it twice a week since then.
I sanded my lights a couple years ago and have been applying it twice a week since then.
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Re: DIY headlight haze removal (tsiah)
Was going to use the sanding polishing approach, but since I had some mothers Mag & Aluminum polish around tried that first and came out awesome! Took 5 applications but looks like brand new, going to use the sandpaper's for something else now.
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