Cloudy headlights -fixed

[Thmstec]

Got my VX today. 99 Silver with just under 59K miles ;Dy;
The headlights were pretty cloudy, so I went to the local autoparts store and picked up the Crystal View Chemicals Headlight restorer (http://www.crystalviewchemicals.com/). And it worked great! There is another car in the family that has an even more extreme case of headlight fogging, so I stretched the kit out and got these results with only half the kit :razzyello

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/thumbs/P1060408.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=10573)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/thumbs/P1060409.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=10574)

[tomdietrying]

Looks great.....so how long does each light take to get the results you got?
Peace.
Tom
012009

[Thmstec]

it took me about 10 min per light. Only worked on the upper half of the headlight though. The lower half facing forward was clean and smooth, so I didn't want to risk scratching it. It is a little bit awkward working around the bulge, but it was easy enough. Just two different sand paper treatments lasting 2-3 min each, and two chemicals. One to clean (1 min), and two coats of the second to seal it up (just allow for 3 min for each coat to dry).

[etlsport]

a few people have used this.. general consensus is the final step must be done in a cool area and quickly or it will streak

[nfpgasmask]

I just used this with good results:

http://images.titancommerce.com/www.5starshine.com/images/quixx-hiperf-scratch-remover/quixxkratzerprodukt.jpg

Got it at Wal*mart for like $8. The kit I got only came with one tube and some 1500 grit paper. It took about 15 minutes per light and made a HUGE difference. I am very happy with the results, and it was really easy. Just takes a little elbow grease.

Bart

[etlsport]

i used the crystal view chemicals kit (from the foil package) like 6 months ago.. maybe longer.. just noticed that the final coat has started to yellow around the top and is now peeling back like a layer of glue:(

[VehiGAZ]

Time to freshen...

I used the Crystal View kit back in October (so about 7 months ago) and it worked quickly, easily, and beautifully. No peeling issues yet - buy I would have no problem doing it over again.

My headlights were waaaaaaayyyyyy worse off than in Thmstc's pictures. You literally couldn't see in through the top of the lenses. The only thing extra I did was to start with a 1000 grit sandpaper which I had already bought - then I moved onto the 1500 and 1500 grit papers that came with the kit.

[etlsport]

got around to restoring one of my headlights.. again..

used the silver package mentioned in this thread about a year ago... and they now look like crap again.. very yellow and peeling


so i went back to work with blue magic headlight restorer

http://www.drillspot.com/pimages/2943/294313_300.jpg

took me a good long time to get the old crap off.. probably about 30 minutes

after that i broke out the mcguires plastx to finish it up

http://management.goemerchant.com/StoreData/d/detailking/Images/P10_PLASTX_2.jpg

heres the before and after...
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/headlight_polish_008.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11677)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/headlight_polish_009.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11678)



http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/headlight_polish_002.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11679)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/headlight_polish_003.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11680)


hopefully this will last a while

[etlsport]

here are some shots halfway through a headlight restoration.. huge difference!

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/headlight_polish_017.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11683)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/headlight_polish_016.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11682)

[Dallas4u]

Agreed! I use Meguires PlastX on the headlights of my WRX and it works great... like a fine rubbing compound.

[Joe Isuzu]

on a side note, don't ya just love the fine panel fit of the hood next to the headlights! I'm always thinking my bumper stops are out of whack or something, it's just hard to accept the fit is so gawdawful. Oh well.
More on topic, I can't remember which product it was but I got something at advanced or autozone which attaches to your drill and you use it like a mini-buffer. Worked pretty well with no worries thus far. And yes, my h/lamps were much worse than some of the ones pictured here. At least we have options!

[IndianaVX]

results look good. and i think that having clear headlights does so much for the over all looks of the vx. cloudy lenses detract. jmo. anyway just wanting to post a pic of what joe might have been talking about. i got this at autozone, and used it in conjunction with the sandpaper, etc....
not tooting a horn, but there is a full write up in the how to section on how i did mine.
on to the pic......

well, i cant post the pic, but its in the how to also.

are the topcoats a "wax", or are they actually something more substansul, like clear coat for paint?:confused:
i keep concidering a couple of layers of clear coat, but then think that if the lenses yellow again, i have to sand thru the clear coat just to get to the plastic again....

take it easy,

[tom4bren]

I think Y'all jinxed me. Mine are starting to cloud up.:mad:

[etlsport]

but then think that if the lenses yellow again, i have to sand thru the clear coat just to get to the plastic again....

take it easy,

yep thats what happened to me.. the "finisher" that came with the kit i used started to yellow and it all had to be removed.. big pain

[JoFotoz]

Just tried The Meguires "Plastx"...


Agreed! I use Meguires PlastX on the headlights of my WRX and it works great... like a fine rubbing compound.


....its AWESOME


Took about 20 mins to do both h/lights...

....they look like new!


I'd highly recommend it.


jo

[don moore]

on a side note, don't ya just love the fine panel fit of the hood next to the headlights! I'm always thinking my bumper stops are out of whack or something, it's just hard to accept the fit is so gawdawful. Oh well.
i still have the factory weather strip around mine headlights..i see yours is missing..
mine is strating to come off ..whats a good glue for it ..anyone know.

[VehiGAZ]

I used a gel-formulation crazy glue on mine. You will have to clean off the residue they leave behind first.

I actually replaced the weather stripping on mine altogether when I refinished my headlights.

[don moore]

:)thx:)

[VX KAT]

I used 1500 sandpaper and the Plast-X. It worked pretty good, but sounds like others have gotten even better results.

I used a foam type applicator on my orbital buffer to apply the Plast_X....what type did you guys use?

Do you hand rub with the 1500 or use buffer?

[JoFotoz]

I used 2000 grit ...rubbed out on a steel sheet first ,to make it even finer..




Do you hand rub with the 1500 or use buffer?

...then Plast-x on red conical foam buffer mounted on a hand drill.

They look like new....but its scary how bad they look after the sand papering!:eek:

jo

[pbkid]

i just tried buffing mine with foam applicator and rubbing off with terry cloth... worked great on the headlight that was a little hazy...but didnt work at all on the headlight that is really really bad...

maybe ill try the sandpaper and see what happens...

[JoFotoz]

Hey pbkid...I'd use worn out 2000 grit to start if I were you.

Loads of water , even a little dish soap.

Its gonna look HORRIBLE at first..
...but the Plast-x takes out all the marks ,eventually!


jo

[VX KAT]

Yeah, I freaked :freek: when I first rubbed the 1500 and saw what it did! It says Plast-X has "diminishing" abrasives, so I had to keep applying it and applying it to the foam buffer...but the abrasives seem to break down/diminish pretty quickly.

I did each for like 20 mins & lots of Plast-X, but I've got to do some more with the 1500 & then buff forever. They definitely improved, but I think I can get them better.

Not sure if adding Blue Magic might help here? Don't know if it has abrasives or chemical? Anybody know?

[Sprey]

Did 1200 grit then 2000 and used plastx looks mint, really impressed. no more ugly cloudy and distorted looking headlights :D

[etlsport]

i did 1500-2000 wet sanding then the polishing pads a while back.. to touch them up i use blue magic at first then go to plast-x to finish it off.. works like a charm

[VCrossfan]

I used 1500 sandpaper and the Plast-X. It worked pretty good, but sounds like others have gotten even better results.

I used a foam type applicator on my orbital buffer to apply the Plast_X....what type did you guys use?

Do you hand rub with the 1500 or use buffer?

Kat I used 1200 then 1500 both with water and Ivory soap..Then buff

[Maddawg]

[QUOTE=Joe Isuzu;131125]on a side note, don't ya just love the fine panel fit of the hood next to the headlights! I'm always thinking my bumper stops are out of whack or something, it's just hard to accept the fit is so gawdawful. Oh well.
This is the first I have seen of this issue. I was thinking someone had removed the headlight and then not shimmed them properly on reinstalling. Maybe its the nature of the beast? The inner side of both lights are considerably lower than the hood panel.

[dsallade01]

Mine were pretty faded when I bought the VX over a year ago, and I just now got around to restoring them. I bought Meguiars Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit from Walmart for under $30. It comes with 1000 grit sanding pad, 3000 grit sanding pad, a polishing compound, drill mounted buffing wheel, and a sealer/protector to finish the job. They look amazing. A friend of mine actually assumed I bought new lights. The kit cam with enough compound to do multiple vehicle, I think I can even stretch it out enough to do three vehicles. About 20 min. per light, and amazing results. Highly recommend you consider this even if yours are really cloudy and cracking.:yes:

[Gizmo42]

Glad this thread bumped up. It reminds me I need to do the ones on the Vulva before they start getting bad. I always use Novus Plastic Polish #2 which does a great job. Been using it for years on motorcycle windshields. I've brought back some that were so bad they looked like sand blasted yellow plexi and got them back to perfectly clear.

Not worried about the one on the Rodeo thats starting to yellow again. I have most of the parts to swap to the upgraded glass 2000+ headlights.

[EVO]

Used toothpaste and used 1500 grit sandpaper, then water and more toothpaste and a polishing microfiber cloth, and finally sealed with 401Duracoat Sealer and the help of a Porter Cable Polisher. Still shiny after 8 months!!

[tom4bren]

I used the 3M kit. Works great. Came with enough SCHTUFF to do 3 cars & one pair of sunglasses (Ray Ban - skipped the sanding & just used the polish).