Headlight restoration

[YORKSHIRE777]

Sorry guess this has been covered loads of times but couldn't find it with the search
Whats opinions on best headlight cleaner restoration please ?

[YORKSHIRE777]

Search is your friend search.php?keywords=headlight+restoration

I particularly like this one
viewtopic.php?f=137&t=46281&hilit=headlight+restoration

[YORKSHIRE777]

I used the megauires headlight restorer which felt "okay" money for the finish... After doing so I decided to do it again properly... So I have some wet and dry waiting... And some of this headlight Lacquer waiting about..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E-TECH-Resto ... 4776240631

[YORKSHIRE777]

I used turtle wax headlight cleaner and sealer, cheap as chips and did the job. Although they're not looking as clear as they did when I did it back in september, so yeah. Probably best going for the good stuff and properly sealing it to keep the shine

[YORKSHIRE777]

Also check that the headlight washer fluid you're using is certified for plastic headlights, if you're driving a 231.
Otherwise the fluid can seriously damage the lenses, not just the surface but crazing (micro-cracking) the entire unit.

[YORKSHIRE777]

Also check that the headlight washer fluid you're using is certified for plastic headlights, if you're driving a 231.
Otherwise the fluid can seriously damage the lenses, not just the surface but crazing (micro-cracking) the entire unit.

I'm driving 231 but do they all have headlight washers ?

[YORKSHIRE777]

No, as the 231 came with xenons, 192 did not. Having xenons required washers to be installed too.

[SmuttyHutty]

I quite like watching this American chap on YouTube and here is his video on headlight restoration kits:

This was the winner:

[YORKSHIRE777]

No, as the 231 came with xenons, 192 did not. Having xenons required washers to be installed too.

I have a 231 but can't see the washers on the lights ?

[YORKSHIRE777]

Raised sections on top of the bumper, that pop-up when you first operate the screen wash with the headlights on, and then every 7th wash after.

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=37046

[YORKSHIRE777]

This lil' doohickey!

PXL_20210321_170418518~3.jpg

[YORKSHIRE777]

Thanks yes mines has the squares but I didn't realise they are washers as they just look like raised squares ? And not seen no gaps around them as to see they are actually moving parts ?

[SmuttyHutty]

Gently pull on it and it should give a little and then retract when you let go.

[YORKSHIRE777]

Gently pull on it and it should give a little and then retract when you let go.

Thanks I'll have a look tomorrow

[PaulAV]

I found that 1000 followed by 1500 wet and dry is really effective, then as coat of clear lacquer again gone over with the wet and dry, then a polish. A year on they still look clear. I'm sure I had a diy thread somewhere on pimping them out.
The other day I watched a YouTube video on headlight restoration and i believe they found the Turtle wax kit to be far superior to the other kits on the market

[PaulAV]

[delta0]

The meguiars 2 step kit worked well for me

[PaulAV]

I found the meguires protective coat tended to go a little cloudy after several months, but the polish was good

[PaulAV]

I found the kit actually does a really good job to be honest. But at the cost of £20~ or whatever I paid some wet and dry and a proper headlight lacquer and a bit more time investment SHOULD get a better result!

[New Duke]

Decided to experiment and do mine as they were off the car anyway. I used the Turtle Wax kit in Paul's video.

Up close the headlights were way worse than I had noticed.

20220627_235314~2.JPG

This is how they looked after about an hour start to finish. The room lights and direct sunlight shows up the imperfections that are still there. But I think it's good considering the kit was only a tenner. Hopefully keeping the car in the garage will help this last more than a couple of months.

20220628_231747.JPG

20220628_231809.JPG

[v-rex]

Sorry missed all this, but I'll add another option for DIY, was very easy to do.

I used Cerakote headlight treatment on mine around December last year and so far it's stayed clear.

https://www.cerakote.co.uk/shop/equipme ... ation-kit/

Before and after