stronbl

Looks like your Sylvania kit and you did a very good job. Thanks for sharing.

On a similar note, I have done the following procedure many times to our cars after reading about a DIY method on some detailing board (I think it was Autogeek.net, but not sure). Here's an outline of the procedure; it is a very simple process if you have the tools. I use 3 grits of wet/dry sandpaper, 600, 1200, and 2000 in that order by wet sanding the headlight covers - of course you have to first tape off the areas outside of headlights otherwise a real mess can ensue. After sanding I follow up with a machine DA polisher using M105/M205 compounding and polish combination to get a final polish and remove all sanding marks. The next and last step is the most critical but yields the best results. I use a 50/50 mix paint thinner and Helmsman Marine Spar Varnish (high gloss) and apply with a folded blue shop towel in even strokes from top to bottom. The marine spar varnish has the UV protection (it's used commonly on boats to protect the wood from sun and elements) and the high gloss gives extreme clarity. I have found this process lasts on average 8 - 12 months for my car that lives outside and well over 2 years for the one that lives in a garage.

eflight

Interesting, I used the Meguiar's Heavy Duty Restoration Kit on my wifes Toyota and my BMW and it worked great.

Papa Fittig

Got my xpel headlight bra. Should I apply it, ha?

Mumbles

Took the words right outta my mouth Papa. Get the uv stable xpel applied to the lenses. I woulda thought it could help with future hazing.

Papa Fittig

As promised just an update. After almost 9 months and everyday driving in sunny CA here is how the lights look. Still no xpel bra installed yet...

Robocop305

looks great. Thanks for the update!!

dalancroft

Looks good. I have a guy, Gene, who lives in Clear Lake but spends 3-4 days in the Bay Area who does headlight restoration as well as bumper repair. My Mazda CX-9 needed some restoration before trading it in and he did a superb job for front and rear, $400 total. Probably got me $1-2K extra in trade-in. Haven't tried his headlight restoration but I'm sure it is also top notch. PM for his contact info.

Iceter

Apparently the trick to getting these restorations to last a long time is the UV protection you add after the final polish. But that's usually the hardest and trickiest part. No UV coating=rapid oxidizing of the freshly polished surface and you're back where you started.

Just as an FYI, some guys over at Garagejournal.com have used Helmsman spar/urethane, mixed 50/50 with mineral spirits and wiped on the plastic lens with good results. The urethane has a UV inhibitor and is durable.

This should work with kits that do not have a final clear coating to protect the polished surface from re-oxidizing.

BIG smoke

Thanks for the 9th month update. For those interested in attempting this. I would suggest a larger protected tape area, just in case you go off course. I have done one 1995 honda civic, one ten year old BMW and one 8 year old Sequoya. All, so far, with long lasting results.

dealersoft

Congrats on finding the Sylvania kit, they pulled them off the shelves here and really were the best all-in-one kit. I ended up using 800/1000/1500/2000 grit Wet or Dry 3M sandpaper, polishing with PlastX, and sealing with a TurtleWax sealing wipe.

Cheers