Refinishing your headlight lenses.

[thomae]

I know this is WAY off topic, but it is related to Savage shooting, because with the money you save, you can buy some ammo, powder, or save up for your next toy, uh, I mean build.

Many body shops charge close to 100.00 to refinish headlights.

Here's what I have done to turn my yellowed, dull headlight lenses back into their ideal clear, shiny state:

First of all, I bought this on sale at harbor freight for $10.00 (http://www.harborfreight.com/12-minute-headlamp-lens-restorer-kit-65938.html).

After the first use, instead of throwing it away, I simply reuse the pad but use toothpaste (which is a very mild abrasive) as the abrasive. It really does not matter what kind of toothpaste. I spray a little water on the lens with a spritzer bottle, and then go to town with the toothpaste on the pad chucked in my drill. About a minute per lens is all it takes.

Meguires makes a UV headlight protectant (http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g17110-headlight-protectant/) that I bought at Wal Mart, but i don't know if it really does anything, because I used it for the first time today.

FWIW, I do the headlights on my vehicles about once or twice per year.

The bonus is that my cars are all "minty fresh."

(The picture below is not me...it's from the Harbor Freight website.)

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_11362.jpg

[stangfish]

I am glad you posted this. I have been using fine polish and then waxing the lens. I have been wondering what others use and almost posted the question the other day. Thanks

Fish

[thomae]

Fine polish, would also work, and the Meguiers stuff is supposed to keep the UV rays from yellowing it. Wax probably does the same thing.

I have been tempted to polish mine and then put clear packing tape over it wondering if then I could just pull off and replace the tape every few months or so. I've never actually tried it, however.

[JMGlasgow]

I use the BG headlight restoration kits. All in one kit. Makes the headlights look brand new.

[din]

Thanks, thomae, you're the best!

[J.Baker]

Will I get a better result using Crest Ultra Whitening or AquaFresh Extreme Clean Whitening Action? What about Colgate Sparkling White? I think you need to do a comprehensive comparison to resolve this conundrum Thomae. :p

[davemuzz]

If none of that works…..there's always the 338 Lapua method. Oh, just a tip….remove the bulbs first or there's a good chance you will have to buy new bulbs. An post 338 lens "application"….rain leakage is always an issue.

Dave

[Robbieg19]

I own a repair shop and we have been using 3M polishing compound for several years. We ran out one day and my detail guy grabbed the Soft Scrub out of the break room and used it. Works great, and cheaper then polishing compound.

[BillPa]

After the first use, instead of throwing it away, I simply reuse the pad but use toothpaste (which is a very mild abrasive) as the abrasive. It really does not matter what kind of toothpaste. I spray a little water on the lens with a spritzer bottle, and then go to town with the toothpaste on the pad chucked in my drill. About a minute per lens is all it takes.

Meguires makes a UV headlight protectant (http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g17110-headlight-protectant/) that I bought at Wal Mart, but i don't know if it really does anything, because I used it for the first time today.




I do pretty much the same, but I use Mequires plastic polish with a few drops of water on a foam pad. After polishing I give them a coat of Colloinite Super Doublecoat wax.

Bill

[EFBell]

When I first saw this on the board I thought the spammers attacked again.... LOL...