Meguiar's Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit - Works Wonders!
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: FL
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Meguiar's Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit - Works Wonders!
Just finished doing this to my IS350 this weekend, along with my parent's 2005 Nissan Frontier and 2003 Honda Accord.
I used the Meguiar's Heavy Duty Restoration Kit. Advance Auto parts frequently has it for $24.99: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_2-stp-headlight-restoration-kit-meguiar's_10048582-p?searchTerm=headlight+restoration
Just a few tips, if you are going to do this with your car:
- Make sure you use painter's tape, and mask well! An obvious step, but important
- Be sure to use a corded drill. DO NOT USE CORDLESS!
- When doing the sanding (1000 Grit left-right, 3000 grit up-down) be conscious of how much pressure you are applying to the headlight. You want to make sure you are using even pressure, and PLENTY OF WATER
- I recommend doing at least 2 passes with the Plastx (included with the kit)
- I recommend doing at least 2 coats of the protectant (also included in the kit)
- If you look at the Accord-Passenger-Before photo below, it has a weird, thick *** coating that some a-hole put on the Accord headlight during a detailing. The supplied 1000 grit was not enough to remove it, so I had to purchase a pack of 800 grit sandpaper from the auto parts store, also doing wetsanding with lots of water. This should not be necessary for most applications though.
Here were my Results:
Frontier - Passenger - Before:
Frontier - Passenger - After:
Frontier - Driver - Before:
Frontier - Driver - After:
Accord - Passenger - Before:
Accord - Passenger - After:
Accord - Driver - After:
If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know.
I used the Meguiar's Heavy Duty Restoration Kit. Advance Auto parts frequently has it for $24.99: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_2-stp-headlight-restoration-kit-meguiar's_10048582-p?searchTerm=headlight+restoration
Just a few tips, if you are going to do this with your car:
- Make sure you use painter's tape, and mask well! An obvious step, but important
- Be sure to use a corded drill. DO NOT USE CORDLESS!
- When doing the sanding (1000 Grit left-right, 3000 grit up-down) be conscious of how much pressure you are applying to the headlight. You want to make sure you are using even pressure, and PLENTY OF WATER
- I recommend doing at least 2 passes with the Plastx (included with the kit)
- I recommend doing at least 2 coats of the protectant (also included in the kit)
- If you look at the Accord-Passenger-Before photo below, it has a weird, thick *** coating that some a-hole put on the Accord headlight during a detailing. The supplied 1000 grit was not enough to remove it, so I had to purchase a pack of 800 grit sandpaper from the auto parts store, also doing wetsanding with lots of water. This should not be necessary for most applications though.
Here were my Results:
Frontier - Passenger - Before:
Frontier - Passenger - After:
Frontier - Driver - Before:
Frontier - Driver - After:
Accord - Passenger - Before:
Accord - Passenger - After:
Accord - Driver - After:
If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know.
Last edited by myculito; 03-25-13 at 07:09 PM.
#2
Lead Lap
iTrader: (5)
FYI -- When you sand your headlights, you have removed the factory UV protectant on the headlights (it was already history anyways, that is why your headlights were hazing). The Meguiar's headlight protectant that comes with this kit is pretty unspecific on how long it lasts. Does it last 2-3 weeks? A month?
I would advise you to invest in Optimum Opti-Lens. It will protect your headlights from UV degradation (hazing) for 2 years.
I would advise you to invest in Optimum Opti-Lens. It will protect your headlights from UV degradation (hazing) for 2 years.
#7
Driver School Candidate
Great job! Just know the top coat has a life-span..
I was caught in the restoration loop with my LS400 doing the job every 18 months or so. A few years ago, after restoring (I think I used the 3M kit) I purchases the pre-cut protecter film from Xpel.. they still look new 3-4yrs later! Haven't had to touch my HIDs since
-------------------------
2006 LS430
1999 LS400
I was caught in the restoration loop with my LS400 doing the job every 18 months or so. A few years ago, after restoring (I think I used the 3M kit) I purchases the pre-cut protecter film from Xpel.. they still look new 3-4yrs later! Haven't had to touch my HIDs since
-------------------------
2006 LS430
1999 LS400
Trending Topics
#10
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: CA
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great job! Just know the top coat has a life-span..
I was caught in the restoration loop with my LS400 doing the job every 18 months or so. A few years ago, after restoring (I think I used the 3M kit) I purchases the pre-cut protecter film from Xpel.. they still look new 3-4yrs later! Haven't had to touch my HIDs since
-------------------------
2006 LS430
1999 LS400
I was caught in the restoration loop with my LS400 doing the job every 18 months or so. A few years ago, after restoring (I think I used the 3M kit) I purchases the pre-cut protecter film from Xpel.. they still look new 3-4yrs later! Haven't had to touch my HIDs since
-------------------------
2006 LS430
1999 LS400
#11
Driver School Candidate
Great job! Just know the top coat has a life-span..
I was caught in the restoration loop with my LS400 doing the job every 18 months or so. A few years ago, after restoring (I think I used the 3M kit) I purchases the pre-cut protecter film from Xpel.. they still look new 3-4yrs later! Haven't had to touch my HIDs since
I was caught in the restoration loop with my LS400 doing the job every 18 months or so. A few years ago, after restoring (I think I used the 3M kit) I purchases the pre-cut protecter film from Xpel.. they still look new 3-4yrs later! Haven't had to touch my HIDs since
#12
Driver School Candidate
Kit covers all FRONT lamps... head, fog, signal, reflector if applicable
#13
Driver School Candidate
#14
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ca
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
for someone with limited budget, I have used Brasso ($4, metal polish) to clean lens. Basically buff out the haze with it. 15mins will restore up to 90% of factory shine. Spend more time buffing (or with buffing tool) will achieve even better quality. I then use Plexus (plastic cleaner) to finish the surface and it can seal too.
#15
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: TX
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
PFB
ES - 1st to 4th Gen (1990-2006)
5
02-02-12 06:32 AM
LexLuger31
ES - 1st to 4th Gen (1990-2006)
6
08-16-11 08:04 PM
Angelo
Club Lexus Vendor Marketplace
2
02-14-11 11:35 AM