Sanding / Polishing Vs. Headlight Restoration Kit...ideas?

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Casutherland42
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Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 2:49 pm
Car: 2000 Nissan Pathfinder

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So I am thinking about restoring my headlights. I have seen both methods used. What do you guys suggest??


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Towncivilian
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Use toothpaste and a microfiber cloth. See here.

Apply wax to the headlights afterwards to help slow future yellowing/clouding.

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Chuck Tribolet
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It depends what you have already. I have the Griot's Garage 3" random orbital, and cut some 1000, 1500, and 2000
grit Velcro sanding pads (from 6" pieces) which I used wet, followed by some compound, and wax. I've done Adm. Linda's badly yellowed Passat, and my PF. I think next time I'll start with 500 grit.

Chuck

bryanmenard
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I used the Sylvania kit from the light-bulb section of the local auto parts store. It was rated #1 by Consumer Reports and I specifically bought that one. It's not located by the headlight restoration kits, so it took me forever to find it.

It includes the solvent to remove any previous coatings (factory coatings or a previous restore), sand paper of varying grits, and a final coating that's guaranteed for life, so it's the last headlight restore kit you'll ever have to buy and it's not that expensive to begin with.

I've used it on 3 cars and it's very decent and reasonably priced. Highly recommended. The only change in procedure was that I used my small orbital sander instead of my hands.


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