Toothpaste!

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
Hey Stu it looks good but listen to what @TimR said as he is bang on with all of it.

Also do not use autosol its way to abbrasive for headlight lenses... I mean if you use it once and thats it then fine but if you are applying it once every 3-6 months It will ruin the lense... I have seen someone do this on the celicaclub forum the lens became distorted and pitted

I currently have my headlights out and need to get sanding with various grades of wet and dry then I am going to be using meguiars plastic polish and meguiars uv clear coat lacquer
 

alfatwo

Member
Messages
5,517
I'd of thought Autosol was lots better than getting the wet and dry sand paper out, that's vicious!
I wouldn't go near plastic with wet and dry, your just asking for trouble or a second hand head light lens!

Dave
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
Hey Shoghi...........Hope all is good mate!
I guess it depends on how pitted/scared your lenses are, luckily mine were just yellowing with some very minor pitting so the toothpaste thingy worked for me but if you have a few more issues then I guess you would have to go down the sanding route. If you have your lights out then now is the best time to do it as you can easily remove the rubbers as masking around them and trying to keep the tape dry is a PITA!!
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
I'd of thought Autosol was lots better than getting the wet and dry sand paper out, that's vicious!
I wouldn't go near plastic with wet and dry, your just asking for trouble or a second hand head light lens!

Dave

So the sandpaper they give you in the headlight restoration kits.... Oh you know what I'm not even going to bother....
 
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1,117
when they go yellow, the UV coat has to be completely removed. I used the 3M kit on Mercedes lights. Followed the instructions to the letter. At first stage the lights went completely white opaque. That is a good sign as it means all the old coat has been removed. With each stage the white turbid look polished out. Now they are crystal clear. I applied a lacquer coat (twice) at the end. Lets see how long they remain looking like new. The ideal is to finish off with a UV cured lacquer coat which is how they leave the factory. But that lacquer is expensive and probably for trade people and needs a UV light to cure it.
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
Hey Shoghi...........Hope all is good mate!
I guess it depends on how pitted/scared your lenses are, luckily mine were just yellowing with some very minor pitting so the toothpaste thingy worked for me but if you have a few more issues then I guess you would have to go down the sanding route. If you have your lights out then now is the best time to do it as you can easily remove the rubbers as masking around them and trying to keep the tape dry is a PITA!!

Ah the nearside headlight on mine has a large scratch not sure if I can remove it entirely but hopefully can reduce its appearance dramatically.

As I have both head and fog lights out i will be changing to fresh philips "130%" bulbs and adjusting the beam on the same ns headlight with the scratch as its currently pointing at the floor directly in front of the bumper which will not be helpful when i drive to Italy in a few weeks
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,656
Ah the nearside headlight on mine has a large scratch not sure if I can remove it entirely but hopefully can reduce its appearance dramatically..

Take your time. Dont be afraid to use the sanding process and follow their method on this one. Especially having it out of the vehicle, it makes it alot easier to use a powered pad and reduces the risks to the rest of the bodywork......I think you'll be amazed !
:)
 
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Availablesi

New Member
Messages
28
Hey Stu, Good to find you on here. This is my before and after. As Stu said, it was 7 minutes per light for me as the humidity in the Middle East is insane. Here is my before and after picture. With regards to protecting, someone suggested using Vaseline. The toothpaste worked so I went with that crazy idea too! 9CB507F8-C60E-46A7-8151-72A23E99F3C8.png1F2B82B6-C6B8-4D2E-83BA-FDF8FAC789F2.png
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
Hey Simon you'll have to let us know how you get on with the vaseline...... OHhhhh Matron!!!!
 
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Gooner

Member
Messages
443
Inspired by this thread I’ve just had a go at mine. 2002 model so 17 years of sun and road grit damage to remove.

I used wet and dry. 400 followed by 1200 then 2500. I used loads of water. Didn’t have any polish so finished with Brasso which works like toothpaste but milder. I’m used to using the same technique for restoring acrylic watch crystals.

I’m 90% pleased with result. I’ve missed a couple of bits so may go back just with the finest wet and dry and polish. A huge difference to the appearance of the front of the car though.
c5ed453e62cf6a43e2a488633e75ba1a.jpg

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The interiors really need polishing as well. I read the other thread about dismantling the headlights to do that. Way beyond my level of bravery but they looked absolutely brilliant (literally).
 
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Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
Looking so much better Gooner. I had to go back a few times on bits that I missed and the masking tape getting wet and coming away all the time was a PITA!! But I found it therapeutic and ended up with a great result.... Well done!