Doctor Headlight
#16
Doctor Headlights
I, too, have used the 3M kit Dharn55's reply mentions. And it works fine...just follow the directions.
Once polished, I apply stick-on protective overlays...available from various suppliers (Performance Products, Automotion, etc.) and that seals the newly polished surfaces forever.
So advance planning is a good idea, as always.
relinuca
Once polished, I apply stick-on protective overlays...available from various suppliers (Performance Products, Automotion, etc.) and that seals the newly polished surfaces forever.
So advance planning is a good idea, as always.
relinuca
#17
Three Wheelin'
I tried the wet sand followed by the polish on my 996 C4S. No good. Inspecting the lenses very very closely - it seems the crazing is not topical, but rather down deep in the lexan. Bummer.
DC4
DC4
#18
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
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I have been looking at doing this myself for mine which are not so bad and my wife's which are frosted pretty bad. I think there is a DIY on RennTech and the results are really stunning. He uses a few sand papers ending at 2000 grit then a polish. His looked like new after. Go take a look. www.renntech.org You may need to be a member on the site to view I am not sure. $90 does not sound like a bad price if you don't want to do it yourself.
#20
Rocky Mountain High
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For $90, I'd rather have someone do it who has some experience. I did replace the HID bulbs this morning, they were actually D2S, not D1S as I posted previously. Once the lenses are polished, I'm looking forward to driving at night to see how much of a difference there is with clean headlights and new bulbs.
#21
I think for $90 you can't go wrong, especially when you consider that these lights cost up to $1000 each. I would rather let someone else do it as well. If you can post some pics. They have a franchise near me as well and if the results are comparable to the web site, I'd probally give them a call.
#22
Rocky Mountain High
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The headlight refinishing process is complete. It was 30 degrees F and snowing today, so I had the work done in my garage. The tech started by wet sanding the headlights with an emulsifier. He hand sanded progressively, going from 320 to 600 to 1,000 to 1,500 to 2,500 grit. He then treated the lenses with a conditioner, and finally 3 coats of epoxy applied from a small air gun. Because of the cold weather, he then used a heat gun (a.k.a. fancy hair drier) to help dry the epoxy.
I'm very pleased with the results. The lenses look much clearer, and most of the imperfections have been removed. Are they as good as brand new headlights? No. However, they are a dramatic improvement and it was money well spent. Here are a few before and after photos. You'll notice some soap residue on the car still in the after photos. I'll wash that off tomorrow.
I'm very pleased with the results. The lenses look much clearer, and most of the imperfections have been removed. Are they as good as brand new headlights? No. However, they are a dramatic improvement and it was money well spent. Here are a few before and after photos. You'll notice some soap residue on the car still in the after photos. I'll wash that off tomorrow.
#25
Rocky Mountain High
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Thread Starter
Thanks. Nothing stuck to the ground. Everything is just wet. We still have some snow left in piles here and there from last week, but the roads are clear.
#27
Rocky Mountain High
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I think you should. Again, they aren't perfect, but they are dramatically improved.
#28
Three Wheelin'
Mine were even worse than the before pictures and came out looking bright and shiney. Like I said not perfect but a fantastic improvement and I like the UV coating and lifetime warranty especially living is S.FLA.
#29
Bumping this for update.
Is the epoxy coating still clear, or has it turned slightly yellow?
Is the UV spray applied on top of the epoxy? or is there no uv spray used at all?
Clear epoxies generally yellow over time.
Is the epoxy coating still clear, or has it turned slightly yellow?
Is the UV spray applied on top of the epoxy? or is there no uv spray used at all?
Clear epoxies generally yellow over time.
#30
Rennlist Member
I did this a few months ago with some kit from local auto parts store. Turned out really well, but I am worried about the Epoxy coating that I sanded off. Unfortunately, my lenses have tiny, tiny crack/ pits that seem to be deep in the plastic. Not noticeable unless you look very closely, but you can see it a little when the HID's are shining through. So for me a complete polish on the outside isn't going to make my lights perfect.
I was wondering if 3M Headlight covers would work well to protect from UV damage on polished without epoxy coated headlights?
I was wondering if 3M Headlight covers would work well to protect from UV damage on polished without epoxy coated headlights?