I know some of you may have used some of these headlight restoration kits in the past with mixed results, and I have too! I was looking around on the internet for some headlight ideas, like replacement housings, HIDs, etc. Somehow, I ended up on YouTube, watching people restore oxidized headlight lenses. There are plenty of solutions out there. What seems to be often overlooked however, is the most important step in restoring headlights -- UV protection! Wax and synthetic wipe-on-buff-off coatings are only going to be so durable, in my opinion. When I stumbled upon someone using this Meguiar's headlight coating, I got excited! I searched, found this kit (which seems to have good reviews), and bought it at my local big box for $20. Since I'm a perfectionist, and I like doing things just for the sake of it, I also picked up some 1200 and 2000 grit sandpaper.
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With my sandpaper, I took it upon myself to add some extra steps. I wet sanded with 1200 grit sandpaper for three horizontal and three vertical sessions, then followed up with 2000 grit sandpaper for three horizontal and three vertical sessions. Then I used the Meguiar's kit. I used their scotch pad along with the "cleaning solution", which I suppose is some kind of rubbing compound. It seems to cut more aggressively than the 2000 grit wet sandpaper. Afterward, I dried the headlight and remasked, adding newspaper. Then I sprayed the headlight coating. Pretty easy! :thumb: Next time I do this (on my wife's car tomorrow), I will probably do my own wet sanding, then go straight to the headlight coating. The kit is great, but I just feel wet sanding (while more laborious) is more refined, and body work is all about the prep! That's what I've been told, anyway.
Here are some before and after shots. I attempted to show the improved clarity, and also the quality of the surface finish. It's NOT perfect. I'm no professional painter, so I managed to get some orange peel and a couple of fisheyes. No big deal; it's a HUGE improvement, so I'm not going to worry about it since the headlight is now the cleanest part on my motorcycle.
If you're THAT much of a stickler, you can just go ahead and buy a new OE headlight from the dealer. I'm sure I rescued my 'Bird from going to the wreckers, so I like this fix.
Before:
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After, clarity:
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Surface finish (You've got to be within 8-12 inches/20-30cm to actually see this):
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And my rescue. Soon I'll have some "after" photos for her. :eyebrows:
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I hope this helps someone out! I recommend the kit! Whether you choose to use their abrasives or your own, you should get great results!
With my sandpaper, I took it upon myself to add some extra steps. I wet sanded with 1200 grit sandpaper for three horizontal and three vertical sessions, then followed up with 2000 grit sandpaper for three horizontal and three vertical sessions. Then I used the Meguiar's kit. I used their scotch pad along with the "cleaning solution", which I suppose is some kind of rubbing compound. It seems to cut more aggressively than the 2000 grit wet sandpaper. Afterward, I dried the headlight and remasked, adding newspaper. Then I sprayed the headlight coating. Pretty easy! :thumb: Next time I do this (on my wife's car tomorrow), I will probably do my own wet sanding, then go straight to the headlight coating. The kit is great, but I just feel wet sanding (while more laborious) is more refined, and body work is all about the prep! That's what I've been told, anyway.
Here are some before and after shots. I attempted to show the improved clarity, and also the quality of the surface finish. It's NOT perfect. I'm no professional painter, so I managed to get some orange peel and a couple of fisheyes. No big deal; it's a HUGE improvement, so I'm not going to worry about it since the headlight is now the cleanest part on my motorcycle.
If you're THAT much of a stickler, you can just go ahead and buy a new OE headlight from the dealer. I'm sure I rescued my 'Bird from going to the wreckers, so I like this fix.Before:
After, clarity:
Surface finish (You've got to be within 8-12 inches/20-30cm to actually see this):
And my rescue. Soon I'll have some "after" photos for her. :eyebrows:
I hope this helps someone out! I recommend the kit! Whether you choose to use their abrasives or your own, you should get great results!
