geoffpaint

Hello, I just had my headlights professionally restored again on my 01 GS430. It seems like roughly every 6 months I am taking my vehicle down to get the headlights restored. I was wondering if it was really worth paying $80 every time to get your headlights restored or if there was an easier method to restore your headlights? Maybe a method to extend the period between restoring the headlights? Or should I just replace the headlights all together and avoid everything? If you are like me, you can't stand looking at your headlights when they begin to oxidize. If anyone has any input, suggestions, or methods they use themselves to extend the life of their headlights and or the periods between restoring them that would be much appreciated. Thanks

whiteraven

iTrader: (1)

maybe buy your own restore kit? I do mine about every 6 months to a year.

swfla

iTrader: (1)

There are restore professionals who apply a UV coating after restoration. It lasts years and isn't crazy expensive. Do a google search "headlight restoration" for your town. I even saw it advertised at a Lexus dealer service dept., it was reasonably priced as I recall.

eddie2gs

He uses clearcoat in this video after wet sanding, havent done it myself yet but seems promising.

swfla

iTrader: (1)

Wow. Awesome video. Perfect for an afternoon DIY project. His headlights look so good, the faded bumper really stands out now. LOL

islexusred

hahaha used this method on my GS400 just yesterday, the result is phenomenal...

josey88

All be damned , I was under the impression that my 2000 GS400 lens were real glass . They most certainly look like real glass to me and are in perfect condition with no oxidation at all or scratches ... if they are plastic they must be of an incredible quality . Of course , my car has only 28000 miles but I would have swear that they are glass .
Is there a possibility that some GS400 came with glass lens and others not ? I am curious .

Bullitt180

They are plastic.

The clear coat route is the best option and not a new technique at all, people have been doing it for many years. Make sure to use an automotive grade clear coat though, not some rattle can

Mr Jokster

iTrader: (8)

Wow you paid that much for a "restore" job? : ouch: Those restore jobs cost $20 bucks on craigslist all day long! As I always rant about, 99% of any restore job usually will only last about 3 months, be glad you got 6 out of it. The true and ONLY way to restore headlights permanently is to do all the steps of a restore, but after the cut and polish, they MUST be clearcoated to seal any and all work done. I would assume the so-called UV protectant I hear about all the time has sealant qualities.

Moms 350z's headlamps were cracked and just plain horrible, she listened to my sister (even though I advised not to since I'm the car guru of the family) and went to her friend for such restore job. I was given the haha that it worked, I gave a haha and said hold that haha and I'll take a gander in 3 months... Sure 'nuff, the inevitable. So I did them correctly and what do you know, 3 years later and they still look as if they did when right off the show room floor.

Oh and regardless in which way you decide to go, I'd recommend getting those clear bra thingies they make just for the headlights, that'll protect from all elements that would hit and disfigure the lens like sand, rocks and debris.

Lukas99GS

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00429NKWK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1432959128&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40&keywords=sylvania+headlight+restoration+kit&dpPl=1&dpID=51gdVO%2BH7WL&ref=plSrch
I used this probably 8 months ago, my headlights have not oxidized since, it comes with a UV protectant that you apply and then it dries on hard to coat the headlight, Ive been very impressed