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Nittanys1
07-27-2008, 01:15 PM
This DIY was done on a 1998 Subaru Outback Legacy Wagon 30th anniversary edition!


I had some extra time today after fishing so finally got around to polishing my dingy headlights on the wagon!

there are a few different ways you can go about doing this, here is how I did it!

I ran over to AutoZone and picked up Permatex's headlight repair kit. It came with
- sand paper
-1000 grit
-1500 grit
-2000 grit
-2500 grit
- plastic polish
- soft cloth
- gloves
- instructions

START: The lights looked a lot worse then the pic shows! They were yellowing and not letting a lot of light through!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/nittanys1/diy/IMG_2067.jpg

1st I started by soaking the sandpaper in water to allow it to wet sand better. Then I cleaned the headlight and wet it down.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/nittanys1/diy/IMG_2068.jpg

2nd: From there I took the first piece of sand paper (1000 grit) and proceeded to WET SAND the light in a left to right motion NOTE: DO NOT SAND IN CIRCULAR MOTIONS While at the same time making sure not to apply too much pressure and making sure to keep a good amount of water in between the light and the sand paper.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/nittanys1/diy/IMG_2070.jpg

3rd: I took the next level of sand paper (1500) and proceeded to do the same process HOWEVER I sanded in an up and down motion.
Then to the next grit level of 2000 sand paper in the left to right direction.
Then the 2500 grit in a up and down direction.
Making sure to always keep the light wet and to wash the sand paper from time to time.

After 1500 grit
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/nittanys1/diy/IMG_2071.jpg

After 2000 grit
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/nittanys1/diy/IMG_2072.jpg


4th: After sanding with the 2500 grit paper I then dried off the light and all the area around the car that I had gotten wet.

After drying:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/nittanys1/diy/IMG_2073.jpg

5th: Next I applied the plastic polish in CIRCULAR motions, letting it dry, then whipping it off with the clean part of the cloth supplied in the kit. I repeated this step several times

After 2 coats of polish
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/nittanys1/diy/IMG_2075.jpg


ALL FINISHED!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/nittanys1/diy/IMG_2078.jpg

ONCE AGAIN THE BEFORE:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/nittanys1/diy/IMG_2067.jpg

This was a very simple project and I am extremely happy with the results!


If your still are not sure on how to do this here is a little vid to help you out :D

http://www.permatex.com/videos/video_headlight_eng.html

osnap
07-27-2008, 01:23 PM
wow, ive done this a few times before, but i had no idea they make an actual "kit" for it lol... nice job.

Nittanys1
07-27-2008, 01:24 PM
yeah I thought of just getting all the parts for it but i was being lazy and just got the kit instead...

osnap
07-27-2008, 01:28 PM
if you dont mind my asking, what did you pay for it?

Nittanys1
07-27-2008, 01:38 PM
it was $16

Sol-Badguy
07-27-2008, 02:30 PM
Not bad at all.

I didn't know there was a preassembled kit anywhere..

X-Runner
07-27-2008, 02:38 PM
Also if you have a small 3" polisher it will get them looking even better.

Nittanys1
07-27-2008, 02:55 PM
yeah i know, I took out my drill and put the little polish wheel that came with my dremel.

AnthonyF
07-27-2008, 05:44 PM
very nice work. We do it the boot leg way, liquid rubbing compound and a buffer. But sometimes the headlights arent fogged, they are cracked so badly no light passes through.

-Ant.

Nittanys1
09-11-2008, 09:06 PM
Thxs man..ohh and remember the talk about the suede we had? you should check out my new thread :D

http://www.importatlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?p=37153311#post37153311

SRCRX
09-11-2008, 09:17 PM
Nice, I have to do the same thing,thanks for the DIY thread!!

Complete
09-11-2008, 09:54 PM
nice!

RBS
09-11-2008, 10:07 PM
pretty good results, comes out close to how mines are and i use 3M super rubbing compound a highspeed buffer with foam pad

9ussy
09-12-2008, 09:29 AM
how long would this last before it yellow again?

Nittanys1
09-12-2008, 10:15 AM
they are still going strong almost two months later...

Sammich
09-12-2008, 10:18 AM
get a buffer...that last step will make it pop..like new...or just never dull it..

Nittanys1
09-12-2008, 10:46 AM
i did buff it...

Seun
09-16-2008, 12:36 AM
Try toothpaste. Ive tried a few product and none of that crap works. Night and day difference using toothpaste.

Nittanys1
05-21-2009, 10:11 AM
bump to be moved into the DIY section

boostedb16
06-01-2009, 08:37 PM
i did mine this past weekend using 1000 grit wet/dry paper, 3M rubbing compound,high speed buffer w/foam pad, cleaner wax and the waxed them. looks almost new. i want to try tooth paste because i have heard that works the best.

Nittanys1
06-01-2009, 09:13 PM
^its abrasive so it might work.

DarKStaR
06-01-2009, 09:21 PM
Any certain brand of toothpaste?

boostedb16
06-01-2009, 09:38 PM
Any certain brand of toothpaste?x2

SPOOLIN
06-01-2009, 10:17 PM
holy shit ill take my buffer and 5 minutes per headlight to that. lol, nice job though.

TypeRPersonality
06-01-2009, 11:26 PM
I've read toothpaste is only recommended for glass.

After wetsanding and polishing my headlights for years, I got tired of it. If you hit it with polish regularly, it can stay looking great. But over time, it'll yellow again. The best option I found is to get someone to clear over the headlights. It makes it look brand new and is a much better alternative.

hondachik
06-01-2009, 11:39 PM
Yeah I bought the kit for like $20 at Walmart. Only needed to use it on one headlight however. Came out awesome and it wasn't hard at all.

speedminded
06-02-2009, 06:53 AM
If you're starting out with 1000 then the headlight isn't too bad to begin with :tongue:

Headlight Lens Restoration:
I usually begin with a good cleaning using warm soapy water then go over it with a water soaked 800 grit or even 600 depending how pitted and nasty the lens is. (Depending on the car you may want to use painters tape around the headlight lens first to prevent damaging the paint or headlight surround.)

Follow that with wet sanding using 1000, 1200, and 1500+...or whatever is available at the moment. Wet sanding lubricates and allows the sandpaper to last longer.

From there a consumer grade rubbing compound and polish then wax works fine, just as you would a normal paint job, and it will be like new.


Maintenance:
It should stay crystal clear for months but if you maintain it the same as the paint with regular washing, polish, & wax then it should not ever get cloudy.


Quickie/Light Restoration:
A quick solution for lightly oxidized or cloudy lenses is to use metal polish, I've used blue magic metal polish cream on plastic for years.

http://bluemagicusa.com/index.php/blue_magic/category/18/

1) Works better than plastic polish 2) It's cheaper 3) Some variety's have a silicone sealant in it that works as a wax

Apply with a microfiber or polish applicator pad, clean, then wax.

SPOOLIN
06-02-2009, 07:24 AM
have them clear coated, thats how they are from the oem.

speedminded
06-02-2009, 11:54 AM
have them clear coated, thats how they are from the oem.It's a UV coating that lasts a couple years depending on how much exposure the lens gets.

I highly doubt it was ever sprayed on from the factory, it's questionable on 3000GT's and a few other because of the way it seemed to flake off after several years though.

You can't polish something to a brilliant shine then expect a clear coat to stick to it, even when using an adhesion promoter.

I'm positive for 99/100 cars the UV protective coating is actually the first layer in the mold process when the lens is poured.

A professional clear coat would be a temp fix for $100 or so but if you're polishing and waxing your car on a regular basis anyways what's an extra square foot or two of elbow grease going to hurt? Save the cash & buy some gas.

iEvo
06-02-2009, 01:11 PM
looks good, i need to do the same thing to the g/f's car

iEvo
06-02-2009, 01:13 PM
It's a UV coating that lasts a couple years depending on how much exposure the lens gets.

I highly doubt it was ever sprayed on from the factory, it's questionable on 3000GT's and a few other because of the way it seemed to flake off after several years though.

You can't polish something to a brilliant shine then expect a clear coat to stick to it, even when using an adhesion promoter.

I'm positive for 99/100 cars the UV protective coating is actually the first layer in the mold process when the lens is poured.

A professional clear coat would be a temp fix for $100 or so but if you're polishing and waxing your car on a regular basis anyways what's an extra square foot or two of elbow grease going to hurt? Save the cash & buy some gas.

they have a new product out which is a clear coat with a UV protectant in it which the public can buy. iv seen it done and it comes out pretty good

eYezs1ck
06-02-2009, 03:55 PM
Try toothpaste. Ive tried a few product and none of that crap works. Night and day difference using toothpaste.
how long do you leave the toothpaste on there before wiping?

speedminded
06-02-2009, 06:14 PM
they have a new product out which is a clear coat with a UV protectant in it which the public can buy. iv seen it done and it comes out pretty goodIt's still only going to last a couple years until you'll have to wet sand and reapply.


how long do you leave the toothpaste on there before wiping?lol! Polish doesn't work that way, it's the abrasives that remove the scratches not the chemicals in it. Toothpaste is an abrasive, you put it on with a microfiber or applicator pad in a circular motion then wipe it off with a clean microfiber. You can remove scratches on CD's with toothpaste like that.

Nittanys1
06-02-2009, 06:15 PM
yup yup! its not like wax....

Seun
06-02-2009, 08:29 PM
how long do you leave the toothpaste on there before wiping?

5min and just wash it off with a wet rag. colgate total :D

Kevykev
06-03-2009, 08:03 AM
There are many ways to do it, as you guys can see.

Never tried toothpaste though!

Kevykev
06-03-2009, 08:20 AM
If you're starting out with 1000 then the headlight isn't too bad to begin with :tongue:




I've read the FAQs you can start with 2000 if you want, you'll just be sanding longer LOL

I start with 1000, if you over-apply pressure in the 600 process your cleanup can be more challenging.

I did 2 of my cars that were for sale and the new owners made comments on them w/o me even stating that they were refinished. I did my neighbors Jeep - she now wants to have an affair.... j/k j/k

Nittanys1
06-03-2009, 08:23 AM
^ lol

speedminded
06-03-2009, 08:58 AM
I've read the FAQs you can start with 2000 if you want, you'll just be sanding longer LOL

I start with 1000, if you over-apply pressure in the 600 process your cleanup can be more challenging.

I did 2 of my cars that were for sale and the new owners made comments on them w/o me even stating that they were refinished. I did my neighbors Jeep - she now wants to have an affair.... j/k j/klol! I just did a Celica that looked identical to the Jetta. She kept saying she was dreading having to buy new headlights, I assumed she meant they were cracked and full of moisture. Then I saw the car. A trip to the parts store and less than an hour later they were both crystal clear!

Nittanys1
06-03-2009, 09:00 AM
^note that he had already started sanding the one headlight when he took that pic.

Kevykev
06-03-2009, 09:16 AM
It's another way to a woman's heart Jason.


^note that he had already started sanding the one headlight when he took that pic.


You should've seen them, I was like "shit, forgot to take a before pic" these headlights were solid yellow, just nasty. The psngr side looked like someone cooked ham on them then coated it with clear LOL.

Honda/Stanley Headlights clean up well, I doubt it's the polycarbonate, guess it's just the type of protective coating they use.

Nittanys1
06-03-2009, 09:21 AM
^crazy! I havent done my accord's headlights because, thankfully, I have never had a problem with any of them. I say any because I have had like 5 different sets of headlights on my car...lol

Kevykev
06-03-2009, 09:49 AM
^crazy! I havent done my accord's headlights because, thankfully, I have never had a problem with any of them. I say any because I have had like 5 different sets of headlights on my car...lol


Wow, Either your car is garage kept or ... well shit 5 sets, that says it all LOL. I think the deterioration period starts within the first 2 years with aftermarket lights.

With OEM/Factory lights, I'd say by the 3rd - 5th year you'll have yellowing.

Nittanys1
06-03-2009, 12:28 PM
well I'm on the third year of this one set. they are the set I did my retro on and are aftermarket. The car hasn't always been garage kept but it is now ;)

Kevykev
06-03-2009, 07:59 PM
Headlight Whore!

Same set on my retro since '04. Don't plan on doin' that shit again.

p.s

I convinced my buddy to get those headlights in your sig after he got his car painted. Those are hands down the best choice for that generation accord.

Nittanys1
06-03-2009, 08:01 PM
^lol, I have had the retro'd headlights for some time, the retros just havent always been in there! Tell your friend that for the right price my retro's are for sale!

eYezs1ck
06-03-2009, 11:42 PM
i used the permatex shit was worth $17.99

99jdmLs
06-04-2009, 09:04 AM
i used 1000 grit then used 2000 grit...after i wet sanded them i sprayed ALOT of clear coat on them.

i just keep them cleaned, and wax them every once in a while. they still look new but its only been about 2 months . . .

greasemunkey
07-05-2009, 01:13 PM
nice write up. my lights were a little bit worse than yours so I started with 800grit so my hands wouldn't fall off. I just did 800-1000-1500 grit and it turned out very very nice. like new almost. I would take a pic. but I have no good camera. they are crx lights btw so pretty old lights needed a little more love

Allstar3.8T
07-11-2009, 11:22 PM
Looks good, I always do;
600 grit wet, to 100 grit wet to 1500 grit wet and then Mothers Mag Aluminum polish (the mothers rep told me about that trick) and finish w/ their plastic polish. Like New, no haze, no film.

SPOOLIN
07-13-2009, 07:20 AM
i polished my integra lenses this weekend, they were pretty cloudy, i wet sanded with 2000 only until they were dull and then used my dewalt buffer and basic foam cutting pad with some meguiars diamond cut and they looked like new.

AtifSajid
07-13-2009, 12:39 PM
I was at ZEN MOTORSPORTS this Saturday and got my headlights polished! Them things look real good..hit them up..

Nittanys1
07-13-2009, 01:14 PM
Lol nice one Atif. What the heck have you been up to!?!?

4dmin
07-13-2009, 03:25 PM
Man just chillin. I heard you coming back to town. PM me..

Kevykev
07-13-2009, 04:56 PM
Atif, i'm still lookin at that old school 19" DELL moniter you hustled off back in '05

on topic edit:
I'M SURE PLASTIC POLISH WILL POLISH IT RIGHT UP, SHOULD.... IT.... EVER..... NEED THAT SERVICE.

OMG_TSX
07-13-2009, 04:59 PM
wat about the Meguiars Headlight restoration kit??? does that work?

Nittanys1
07-13-2009, 05:05 PM
Kevin you could have just PMed him that.... dont go junking up the thread...

Nittanys1
07-13-2009, 05:06 PM
wat about the Meguiars Headlight restoration kit??? does that work?

got me, why not give it a try and let us know.

Kevykev
07-13-2009, 05:49 PM
Kevin you could have just PMed him that.... dont go junking up the thread...

Haha, you know i thought of that. :lmfao: Although you went off topic to ya bastad


toan, I would recommend Novus Plastic Polish.

Nittanys1
07-13-2009, 06:35 PM
Its my thread ;) but i was commenting on Atif's "off topic" direction...

Kevykev
07-13-2009, 11:08 PM
Yeah ATIF, such a penis!

Spoolin- That's the same buffer i use, works like a charm.

importkid4sho
07-14-2009, 12:32 AM
hummm i wondering if this plastic polish will work on a cell phone screen haha.

4dmin
07-15-2009, 08:15 AM
Great job Travis, there you happy!! LOL

Nittanys1
07-15-2009, 09:08 AM
^lol, never said I wasnt ;)