PDA

View Full Version : DIY head light restoration!



Crazydelsol
09-26-2011, 09:08 PM
Materials needed!!
1. Wet sand paper..I use 1500
2. Water spray bottle
3.buffing compound
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/IMAG0693.jpg
4. 3" buffing pad and buffing pad assembly!
** note if u have big headlights u can use a normal buffer
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/IMAG0695.jpg
5. Drill
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/IMAG0696.jpg

first thing to do is to clean the surface.....
**If you have never done this you may want to tape around the headlights to not scratch the paint of chip it with the buffer!...
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/IMAG0046.jpg

Second...apply water to the headlight aswell to the sand paper..
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/IMAG0679.jpg

Sand. Down the headlight untill you see it dull white and no yellow looking spots!..
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/IMAG0680.jpg

Apply buffing compound to the headlight and start buffing sideways until you start seing the results...
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/IMAG0682.jpg

Wipe it down and add a little bit of waxing compound for more protection! And now u have clean headlights lol
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/IMAG0419.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/IMAG0047.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/IMAG0683.jpg



http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/IMAG0689.jpg
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/IMAG0690.jpg
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/IMAG0691.jpg
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/panico91889/IMAG0692.jpg

j0nbunklah0m
09-26-2011, 09:20 PM
repped

jdm eg6
09-26-2011, 09:20 PM
i used toothpaste to clean mine..lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKAshYmrExc

Crazydelsol
09-27-2011, 07:18 PM
New pics

georgieboi
09-27-2011, 07:46 PM
1500 then 2000 works fasters sir, and good pics

Crazydelsol
09-27-2011, 08:03 PM
I'm used to just doing it with 1500 it works good for me....

silversol
09-27-2011, 09:24 PM
Its 10$ to buy a cheap headlight restore kit at autozone That comes with a sealer. yeah rubbing compound will work for a few weeks but will turn yellow again with out the sealer.

404Chapin703
09-28-2011, 01:21 AM
Its 10$ to buy a cheap headlight restore kit at autozone That comes with a sealer. yeah rubbing compound will work for a few weeks but will turn yellow again with out the sealer.

Yeah not tru... He did mine n have turn yellow not even a bit and its been almost 2 months(1 month and 1/2 ago)

Crazydelsol
09-28-2011, 04:28 AM
Its 10$ to buy a cheap headlight restore kit at autozone That comes with a sealer. yeah rubbing compound will work for a few weeks but will turn yellow again with out the sealer.

Well I just want to help other ppl out..BUT if they goin to complain let them go buy that cheap shit at autozone, that doesn't work!

Crazydelsol
09-28-2011, 04:29 AM
plus I did my neighbors headlights about almost 6 months ago and guess what??? They still the same way!

Xrated O.G.
09-28-2011, 05:14 AM
The Teg lights turned out great... Good job...

georgieboi
09-28-2011, 07:20 AM
Na you don't need sealer just wet sand buff then polish like the op did, will last years

Crazydelsol
09-28-2011, 08:13 AM
The Teg lights turned out great... Good job...
Thanx


Na you don't need sealer just wet sand buff then polish like the op did, will last years
Yup that's right! Thanx

Bigt8aford
09-28-2011, 08:11 PM
I use a very similar process at work. They like using a polish after sanding (400 then 1000 to smooth things out) but I personally like to rub, what we use as, tire shine in to get a real bright look. I know it washes off after it rains, but it just needs to be pretty for inspection. Haha.

jdm eg6
09-28-2011, 09:30 PM
i see u got the 94-97 integra headlights that i sold u looking good... they were so dirty and now they look almost new good job bro

Crazydelsol
09-28-2011, 09:53 PM
I use a very similar process at work. They like using a polish after sanding (400 then 1000 to smooth things out) but I personally like to rub, what we use as, tire shine in to get a real bright look. I know it washes off after it rains, but it just needs to be pretty for inspection. Haha.
Lol never heard of tire shine on headlights but sounds intersting!


i see u got the 94-97 integra headlights that i sold u looking good... they were so dirty and now they look almost new good job bro
Yeah. Bro as soon as I got home I sand them down and cleaned them!

draggbody
09-28-2011, 10:18 PM
i have done quite a few of the buffing jobs, but this is the first time i have cleared any... these headlights were BAD!!! basically they were an experiment because if they didnt turn out, i was going to just buy new ones... both were very yellow, but one of them had an attempt at resealing, i used a razor blade to clean it off, then i used a DA sander w/ 400 grit and then wet sanded w/ 600 grit... taped up the housing and had them cleared when my front sheetmetal was painted and they look perfect!!! im talking out of the box from honda perfect... so for a little work, and one more step you can keep OEM parts on your ride...

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z148/draggbody/Mobile%20Uploads/0914111740.jpg

Crazydelsol
09-29-2011, 07:24 AM
i have done quite a few of the buffing jobs, but this is the first time i have cleared any... these headlights were BAD!!! basically they were an experiment because if they didnt turn out, i was going to just buy new ones... both were very yellow, but one of them had an attempt at resealing, i used a razor blade to clean it off, then i used a DA sander w/ 400 grit and then wet sanded w/ 600 grit... taped up the housing and had them cleared when my front sheetmetal was painted and they look perfect!!! im talking out of the box from honda perfect... so for a little work, and one more step you can keep OEM parts on your ride...


I have done that but its just too much work... I clean the headlights my way n takes me less than 3 min!
Nice comment I know ppl will use that too

greasemunkey
09-29-2011, 09:39 AM
I do the same, just wet sand with 1000 grit, clean, spray clearcoat. Work perfect every time. I actually just did some on an 05 toyota tacoma that look great. It will last a long time too.

RsonGt3's
09-29-2011, 10:25 AM
I do the same, just wet sand with 1000 grit, clean, spray clearcoat. Work perfect every time. I actually just did some on an 05 toyota tacoma that look great. It will last a long time too.

So yall spray car clear coat

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

JessAlba452
09-29-2011, 11:32 AM
Though just have to add that with clear coat it will sometimes turn yellow, oxidize, and peel over time. Or at least that has happened with the customer cars that I've worked on lol. It's just extra work for me to sand off the old clear too. Usually if the oxidation is bad I start with 400>600>800>1000>1200>1500>2000>3000 in that order all wet with soapy water. Then buff with compound and polish. If it's not that bad then start with 800 grit and move up. It takes FOREVER to do, but the outcome is great and lasts for a very long time! It's like having a new headlight without the high dealership cost! :D

+Reps to crazydelsol for the DIY :)

Sammich
09-29-2011, 02:55 PM
i've personally gotten away with using clay bar, rubbing compound and a coat of wax.

Austin?
10-14-2011, 11:34 AM
I did mine years ago and it still look great.
2000 grits
Compound
Polish
Wash
Done
Enjoy.

dc2killa
10-29-2011, 04:54 PM
I tried it? And it worked. Thanks for sharing.

SoLJames95
10-31-2011, 03:19 AM
Honestly................. I use the Kit that walmart sells for 20$ and Ive done alot of business with them. I did emminodagreats headlights, mine on a few cars, including my current S2000, and my wifes jeep, and a few other cars. ANd it looks ridiculouly good and last. And theres a money back gurantee. It takes less then an hour. :) YES I DID SAY WALMART, and its better then a lot of the name brand ones out there. The del sol in my sig was my best. They were JDM(real) 1 piece headlights yellow and hazy and clear peeling, got em for 50$ Look at em in Sig. I soldem for 340$. WALMART KIT FTW! It comes with everything you need.

Crazydelsol
10-31-2011, 11:57 AM
Lol I take less than ten min doing them my way! I have tryed those kits and didn't really like the turn out! But if it works for you I'm happy!...

Crazydelsol
10-31-2011, 11:58 AM
I tried it? And it worked. Thanks for sharing.

I'm happy to hear that!

jtdb8
10-31-2011, 04:55 PM
there are many ways to clean your lights and methods. some more effective than others. reps to all who clean lights. i clean headights myself an as sol_james i started out with those kits you can buy at wal-mart. but now i bought a system my 3m with a air orbital sander and a buffer.

here are a couple pics of cars i done.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w26/jtunderground211/2011-10-24_14-37-32_582.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w26/jtunderground211/2011-10-24_15-19-03_74.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w26/jtunderground211/2011-10-24_15-33-02_444.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w26/jtunderground211/2011-10-24_16-14-29_581.jpg

smoknlegend
10-31-2011, 05:23 PM
Some headlights will yellow quicker than others depending on the stage of oxidation. A trick is to use sparr urethane, mixed 50/50 with mineral spirits, then applied and left to smooth out. Hell all you have to do is wetsand the light down to new plastic, not even having to polish because it allows the urethane to sit.

Or you can also seal the headlights after polishing with a polishing compound with a product called optimum opti-coat which adds another layer to the light (its a permanent coating as opposed to wax or sealant.)

silversol
11-26-2011, 08:11 AM
Honestly................. I use the Kit that walmart sells for 20$ and Ive done alot of business with them. I did emminodagreats headlights, mine on a few cars, including my current S2000, and my wifes jeep, and a few other cars. ANd it looks ridiculouly good and last. And theres a money back gurantee. It takes less then an hour. :) YES I DID SAY WALMART, and its better then a lot of the name brand ones out there. The del sol in my sig was my best. They were JDM(real) 1 piece headlights yellow and hazy and clear peeling, got em for 50$ Look at em in Sig. I soldem for 340$. WALMART KIT FTW! It comes with everything you need.

Exactly!

Crazydelsol
11-28-2011, 09:00 AM
Exactly!

Hahahah this punk here makes me laugh!
I'M TRYING TO HELP PPL SO THEY CAN HAVE CLEAN HEADLIGHTS AND THIS GUY IS GOING TO NEGATIVE REP ME!

DA9_Vito
11-30-2011, 02:10 AM
Hahahah this punk here makes me laugh!
I'M TRYING TO HELP PPL SO THEY CAN.HAVE CLEAN HEADLIGHTS AND THIS GUY IS GOING TO NEGATIVE REP ME!


Thats how life goes sometimes.

SoLJames95
11-30-2011, 10:25 PM
i was positive repped. :dunno: :)

Crazydelsol
12-02-2011, 06:30 AM
[QUOTE=SoLJames95;39336750]i was positive repped. :dunno: :)[/QU

It's just punk ass silversol!

silversol
12-02-2011, 12:22 PM
lol u mad bro? didnt stop you from trying to buy my welder lol!

Crazydelsol
12-02-2011, 06:09 PM
lol u mad bro? didnt stop you from trying to buy my welder lol!

Lol nahhh..... and welder new is 240 with everything includes mask etc... lol my offer still stands

allmotor-teg
12-13-2011, 07:00 AM
i used toothpaste to clean mine..lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKAshYmrExc

now they are fresh,clean and shinny lol.