So I bought this kit a couple of weeks ago and finally decided to use it. Kit was about 20 bucks from autozone. I used a cheapy black and decker drill. Instructions are straight forward, and easy to follow. Kit Includes

1 Arbor for drill to hold pads
Several pieces of 500 grit
Several pieces of 800 grit
1 special pad that is equivalent of 3000 grit
Buffing pad
1 roll 3m 1" masking tape
2 packets of rubbing compound.

It basically involves cutting the lenses with the 500, stepping that down with 800, 3000, then buffing. I spent about 30 or so minutes on each lens (not enough time for perfection). They were both pretty discolored at the tops due to yellowness.

I taped around the lenses and left the hood up. I used double tape at most places to make sure I didnt hit the paint, and this is most important at the fenders as they are almost flush with the lenses. The other areas are not flush, and stand up so it would be hard to hit the paint unless your careless. I did not attempt to do the part of the lenses that are half circles down into the bumper. They werent discolored, so i just let the sanding go to the natural edge.

No matter how much rubbing compound you use in the last step, it will be all over your engine, hood, everything. I just went straight across the street to the car wash, popped in 4 quarters, and power washed it before it dried really hard.

I believe that the most time should be spent on 800 grit and 3000 grit steps. I did not spend enough time, and you can still see some deeper scratches in mine. Don't spend to much time with the 500 or you will take off to much material very fast. When your using the special pad that is 3000 grit, be sure to use lots of water. And with all steps, make sure you are even. Dont grind in one spot because it will leave an indention.

I would have to say that for the amount of time I spent, the lenses look amazing. I didnt have to remove the bumper, which is nice. I could have bought the paper myself and wet sanded the things by hand, but I assure you that takes a very much longer time. This provided great results (although not perfect) in no time. If you spent just a little more time than me, your lenses will be perfect.



Before picture of my passenger lens. Notice yellowing at the top. Also, notice the massive amount of rubbing compound splatter. haha


This is my driver lens after polishing. Not a great picture, but I assure you its 100% better than before.

 

Nice little write up...i spent about 2.5 hours total to do both of my headlights just because i am a perfectionist and i wanted it done right the first time...Its a great kit for the amount you pay and if you got the time and patience you get excellent results. My friend that got lazy and impatient ended up fogging and making his headlights worse than before because he didn't take his time...

 

it's scary but works great. Did it on an EP3 once

 

Yeah impatience leads to botched results. I used to work in a body shop, so even though I didn't spend as much time as I should have, I know I used good technique. For most its best to just spend the time and pay attention to making even passes without too much pressure.

Type-S pas: The only time I got really scared is when I hit the tape on the fender doing the passenger side. I have sanded a million things using a DA, and started out really confident. That slowed me down a bit. Its a weird angle. I hit the tape and the sand paper caught several times. The dual layer of tape saved my fenders.

For anyone who is really scared of runaway drill, I suggested masking the fenders and bumper using 2 inch tape and folded masking paper. You would have to fark up royally to go through that.

 

I had one of my customers do my headlights. They bought a $300 or $400 3M kit that is similar to the one you used but it is a professional kit with all new air tools and compounds and stuff like that. They did a really good job and it looks sick. They did it for free since I cut them a deal on the kit. So I lucked out!