RickL87

Nothing in detailing should ever start with sanding anything. start with polishing and work your way to more aggressive means just my 2 cents.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Anybody got word on when this product might come out?

I want to do my LS headlights but looking for a product like this to seal them to hopefully keep from having to redo them every 6 months.

Badmittn

If you have new or undamaged headlights and apply VaporWax apc (acrylic paint conditioner) to your headlights at least once a month and they will never yellow. If they are already yellow from surface oxidation deoxidize them first.
If they have been sanded previously, you got a situation that can only get worse, once you alter the surface from it's factory specs you should start saving for a replacement pair, down the line you will need to replace them eventually no matter what you do to seal them. There is no known process that repairs UV damage (yellowing of the actual lens).
Old damaged headlights can benefit from polishing but sanding an acrylic headlight is the beginnning of the end for it. There is no aftermarket product that is as tough or resistant to break down as the original factory surface. Sanding that surface away is a big mistake.

M45owner

Great results...I have been meaning to take care of the headlights on my RX. They're starting to be really hazy and a tad yellow. You can also use some wax on top after to protect the lenses and slow down the yellowing (caused by UV)

wbmx1981

Thanks for this post. I read this a while back and I finally got it done.

Before and After Pics:

UDel

Totally disagree, after a few years when most plastic/polycarbonate headlights are exposed to too much sunlight the surface protection breaks down too much and simply can not be repaired without wet sanding. Polishing simply won't work in most cases, I tried it with my headlights and others using a compound and a yellow pad and it still barely makes any difference. Once your headlights reach that stage of yellowing/hazing so bad the only solution is to wet sand them and polish/apply wax every few months, wet sanding can make them look brand new again and it makes a huge improvement but it won't last long so there is a need for increased polishing and waxing. Either way wet sanding makes a huge positive difference once your headlights have yellowed and can not be repaired any other way.

Also that Vapormax you are recommending/trying to sell is very suspect and has got terrible reviews along with accusations of spam/phishing.
http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-det...x-warning.html

Obleezie

iTrader: (2)

Going to try this soon, headlights are hazing up a bit now

7tisix

My brother-in-law's Chevy Silverado had the worst lights I had ever seen. Sanded with180 then 320 grit, then used a drill with the 3M headlight resto attachment that has Velcro for the sanding (500, 800, & 3000 grit) and polishing. They look brand new now. I didn't use the 3M rubbing compound, I used McGuiars instead. I have since tried the 3M rubbing compound and it is really good stuff.

dragtek1

iTrader: (8)

Thanks for the write up! At first I thought my IS350 was getting oxidation from the inside the headlight, but my headlights looks very similar to yours; I am excited to give it a try!

I did pick up some Blue Magic headlight sealant from O'reilly, let's see how it holds up.

Badmittn

[QUOTE=UDel;8125640]Totally disagree, after a few years when most plastic/polycarbonate headlights are exposed to too much sunlight the surface protection breaks down too much and simply can not be repaired without wet sanding. [/QUOTEp]

I have never heard of a plastic that breaks down in a few years.
From my understanding plastic is one of the top pollutants, due mainly to It's resistance to decomposition.
Oxidation is not a result of plastic breaking down.
Plastic break down is due to friction and abrasive contact.
Oxidation is a build up on the Surface of the plastic.
Where do you get your information from?

EFMJR

iTrader: (4)

[QUOTE=Badmittn;8297835]From what I have seen and have dealt with in my past and working with plastics, composites, and paint and coatings in the jobs I have had in the past have come to learn that everything has it's krytonite substances. You would be amazed at what the UV rays of sunlight can do to stuff, especially plastic. Just because it clogs up landfills and takes hundreds of years to break down in the dumps, but place the same plastic part in continuous direct sunlight and watch it go bad. The UV rays destroy the plastic, sometimes quickly and sometimes it will take a while. That is why they put the protective coating on the headlights to prevent scratches and UV damage but it will eventually wear off. If you examine the plastic headlight you can see where the protective coating is and where the worn out faded sections are especially if you are sanding it with very fine sand paper.

Ratedg

thanks for the writeup!!!

Cyanide52

I did this process and haven't been able to get out the fine scratches from the sand paper I've tried using my DA also , no luck

2therock

I posted my results here in another thread. Before and after results. The 3M kit. Tip = Don't use your drill motor on high speed to avoid heat.

HERE

Doublelift

Is the dealer light cleaning any good? They offered to clean mine up and put some coating over it so it'd look like new and stay that way for awhile