To Detail Headlights

[mis3]

I tried Meguiars Headlight Restorer and PlastX separately in the past and it did not work for my headlights (Mercedes).

What else can I try? Is there a chemical that can remove the white film on the headlights? I saw the TV commercial on Wipe-Out and it claimed it could treat old headlights.

[The Guz]

Re: To Detail Headlights

Which kit did you try? Meguiar's makes a heavy duty kit.

This one http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotiv...storation-kit/

Do you have a pic of your lights to better advise you?

[Detailing by M]

Re: To Detail Headlights

I saw the TV commercial on Wipe-Out and it claimed it could treat old headlights.

No "chemical" can remove and refresh the deteriorated UV coating or Plastic Failure on any headlights. . . . . .
You have to sand, polish and replace the UV Protectant.
Meg's Heavy duty kit does this. It's around $30 bucks.
I charge $50 bucks a light.

[Top Gear]

Re: To Detail Headlights

I once had it done on a previous car at an oil change place and was impressed, but parted with $50 and the cloudiness only returned. On another older car, I've more recently tried Ultimate Compound with the DA and was even more impressed with the clarity and shine - I mean good as new! - and it cost me nothing extra. I then finished them up with UP and Gold Class - why not? The clouding will slowly return, say over many months, but then, that's going to happen anyway. Just whip out the DA and do it again.

[jarred767]

RYup, you pretty much gotta sand them down once they get that bad. If they're not too bad then M105 (or even PlastX) can clear them up decently, but then you gotta protect them to keep them clear. It's not difficult to do yourself if you get the kit, (there's even a "how-to" video in the videos forum in here that goes through all the steps from start to finish. Or you can have a Detailer do them for you, but expect to pay something similar to what Mario charges, my prices are right in line with that for a full sand/polish/protect.

Here's a link to that thread http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...ted-Headlights

[mis3]

Re: To Detail Headlights

Maybe my PlastX is too old, I think it's 7-8 years old. Or maybe I did not rub it hard enough. One thing to add is I always wax my headlights when I wax my car, which is about once a month.

I will try UC and see if it works.

[SpoolMe]

Re: To Detail Headlights

UC with buffer worked for me. I go over them once a week with plastX and then wax .

Question for you pros, is UC and a yellow cutting pad too aggressive for lights? I think i saw a little plastic flaking off after..

[Detailing by M]

Re: To Detail Headlights

Your suppose to wax and polish your headlights!
No body tells you that and then you have UV/Plastic failure.
So buffing and waxing is the way to keep them looking new.

Spoole, your UV coating coming off. But you can keep it a by if you do what your doing.
The flaking may stop or keep growing. It's hard to say. But don't waxing them and only buff when necessary.

[SpoolMe]

Re: To Detail Headlights

Spoole, your UV coating coming off. But you can keep it a by if you do what your doing.
The flaking may stop or keep growing. It's hard to say. But don't waxing them and only buff when necessary.

I only ever saw the flakes after i buffed them, I dont know if I possibly let it get too hot or something.

Did you mean to say dont stop waxing?

[Detailing by M]

Re: To Detail Headlights

typo. KEEP WAXING

The flaking already happened and you just pulled it off, or loosened it up.
But you didn't create it.