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civizen
03-06-2011, 12:44 PM
Hi guys n gals, just got a 2005 ephatch and I LOVE IT!!! been wanting one for awhile and finaly found THE perfect car! SO stoked!

Well, almost perfect, the headlight covers are a bit oxidized in a few spots and i want to polish them, just not sure what to use. Any advice?

Thanks!

nmysiismyn
03-06-2011, 01:28 PM
Hi guys n gals, just got a 2005 ephatch and I LOVE IT!!! been wanting one for awhile and finaly found THE perfect car! SO stoked!

Well, almost perfect, the headlight covers are a bit oxidized in a few spots and i want to polish them, just not sure what to use. Any advice?

Thanks!

:wavey:
Google results for "ephatch.com: headlight restoration" (http://www.google.com/m?q=site:ephatch.com+ephatch.com:+headlight+restor ation)

Next time, rather than starting a new thread, try our awesome search engine, Google search: ephatch.com: [keyword(s)], or post your quick questions on [this thread] (http://www.ephatch.com/forum//showthread.php?62000-Small-Quick-Common-Dumb-Question-Thread-(use-this-instead-of-making-new-threads))
:welcome: Congrats on the car and enjoy your new EPCrack addiction. :mbiggrin:

blue2turbo
03-07-2011, 01:12 PM
Go buy the 3m Restoration kit from advanced auto. Did it to my VW when I had it and it made a HUGE difference.

civizen
03-07-2011, 03:05 PM
Go buy the 3m Restoration kit from advanced auto. Did it to my VW when I had it and it made a HUGE difference.

Thanks! Thats what I did. Worked pretty good but I probably need to go over it again, just to make them perfect.

civvitim
04-26-2011, 05:01 PM
toothpaste

Tokin_Buds
05-02-2011, 10:27 AM
Ive done this myself and found just paying a professional is best with this,I had my headlights restored and other than them looking brand new, they also applied an invisible coat to protect my headlights from getting hazed and scratched as well as it having a 3 year warranty. I think it was money well spent though I know others have done a great job on their headlights, I guess it just depends on how skilled you are.

It isnt a simple process as many others would lead people to believe.

Twisted-X
05-18-2011, 10:05 PM
Alright hopefully somebody reads this, coz I didn't want to start yet another "de-haze my headlights" thread.
I've got a '96 Accord DD, and the headlights are a little hazy. Problem is, the surface looks almost like clearcoat peeling off or something. Am I going to have to wet sand these to make them nice again?
If so, what grits should I use?

nmysiismyn
05-18-2011, 11:56 PM
Alright hopefully somebody reads this, coz I didn't want to start yet another "de-haze my headlights" thread.
I've got a '96 Accord DD, and the headlights are a little hazy. Problem is, the surface looks almost like clearcoat peeling off or something. Am I going to have to wet sand these to make them nice again?
If so, what grits should I use?

You might be surprised to know that it might not actually be a clearcoat that's peeling.. It might actually be the outer OEM UV-protective layer of film.

Either way, it definitely needs to be resurfaced through a high-grit wetsanding.

I've wetsanded 3 sets myself. I always went all the way up to 1,500 grit, but where I went wrong was not re-clearcoating them.

I HIGHLY recommend clearcoating them with some hi-heat UV-protective clear though (I think VHT makes some). Otherwise, the headlights won't only need to be redone after a few months to a year; but without that UV protection, the lenses will bake to an irreversible yellow hue.

Just make sure to allow each layer of clearcoat to cure. ESPECIALLY the last layer, so it's hard enough for you to really get down on sanding it finely, polishing and buffing in during the final stages.

It's a lot of work and I don't know how much your "time is money," so I couldn't tell you if it's worth it or not, but... I hope that helps. :mangel:

jdmjay27
05-23-2011, 08:39 PM
After the sanding technique, you can use rubbing compound then use meguiar's plastix to polish those headlights.

black04siftw
06-30-2011, 06:40 AM
I used the Meguiar's plastix and polished mine once I got my car and they looked great but I can see it's already starting to haze over again, just a couple of weeks later.. :-/ I guess, if nothing else, it's an excuse to get the JDM projectors and replace the worn out lights, lol. Would protective film have prevented this? Since it's a used car I know there's not much I can do to change what the previous owner did or did not do... but just wondering..? :)

Twisted-X
06-30-2011, 09:24 PM
Did you apply any wax after using the Meguiar's?

black04siftw
07-01-2011, 07:14 AM
DOH! :mredface: Thanks!!!! I'll do that this weekend. :mbiggrin:

lemonhead228
07-05-2011, 12:37 AM
Yea the 3m kit works really well but you gonna need a drill

rd02SiR
09-06-2011, 10:45 AM
I used the Turtle Wax Headlight Restorer kit.

Before
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/90e634c8.jpg
After
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/ef74f149.jpg

Before
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/29986a5f.jpg
After
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/ab2003b9.jpg

Before
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/0bd3e297.jpg
After
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/67bd4726.jpg

Before
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/344ef258.jpg
After
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/a124bf51.jpg

dj addicted
09-06-2011, 11:06 AM
I used the Turtle Wax Headlight Restorer kit.



Holy Shit what a difference!!! I've been meaning to do this for the longest time, just haven't gotten around to doing it.

nmysiismyn
09-06-2011, 04:16 PM
I used the Turtle Wax Headlight Restorer kit.

Before
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/90e634c8.jpg
After
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/ef74f149.jpg

Before
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/29986a5f.jpg
After
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/ab2003b9.jpg

Before
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/0bd3e297.jpg
After
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/67bd4726.jpg

Before
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/344ef258.jpg
After
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/rd02sir/a124bf51.jpg

Excellent work man!
I've been there.. That's a whole lot of hard work! :frusty:

Did you clearcoat it?
I strongly suggest you hit it with a high-temp clear. Otherwise, it won't stay looking that way for very long.

rd02SiR
09-06-2011, 04:19 PM
Thanks man!

I used the sealant that came with the kit. Once it dries completely I'll put on a good coat of wax.

nmysiismyn
09-06-2011, 06:00 PM
Thanks man!

I used the sealant that came with the kit. Once it dries completely I'll put on a good coat of wax.

Right on! I didn't know it came with a sealant...
Is it a spray or do you just rub it on?

I'm interested to see how well this holds up to UV damage.

hyu
09-06-2011, 06:16 PM
Link of the kit you used? Also did you use a buffer?

nmysiismyn
09-06-2011, 07:32 PM
Link of the kit you used? Also did you use a buffer?

I'm guilty of not Googling it first too, or I would've known the sealer came in wipe-form, but still...

http://tinyurl.com/3zubmrs

rd02SiR
09-06-2011, 07:34 PM
Right on! I didn't know it came with a sealant...
Is it a spray or do you just rub it on?

I'm interested to see how well this holds up to UV damage.

Yeah it came with a sealant wipe. Only down side to this kit is the sealant is one time use, so you'll have to find something else to seal it with if you do it again.

I am also interested in how long it will last.

I used a buffer to apply the final polish that comes with the kit.

I found this kit at walmart for $9. I can not find this product in Canada. Only 3m and such companies, but they want $30+ for their kit, which contains the same things.

Turtle Wax Headlight Restorer Kit

rd02SiR
09-06-2011, 07:46 PM
I'm guilty of not Googling it first too, or I would've known the sealer came in wipe-form, but still...

http://tinyurl.com/3zubmrs

Haha no worries man, I love your avatar so i don't mind ;)

nmysiismyn
09-06-2011, 08:01 PM
Haha no worries man, I love your avatar so i don't mind ;)

:tehe:

I'll let my lady know you approve. http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs50/f/2009/295/4/9/Gossips_revamped_by_6dragonfly9.gif

JaydmEp3
09-07-2011, 11:55 AM
:tehe:

I'll let my lady know you approve. http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs50/f/2009/295/4/9/Gossips_revamped_by_6dragonfly9.gif

haha good one tommy!! but as for rd02sir's lights after the restorer kit damn dude they look good.. think imma have to try it..so they'll look brand new..

nmysiismyn
09-07-2011, 01:36 PM
haha good one tommy!!...

You think I'm kidding about it being my lady, do ya? :mbiggrin:

ninebreaker8
09-03-2012, 12:44 AM
A little late to reply, But i used toothpaste and a machine buffing tool, and then used Meguiar's plastX or whatever it's called to give it a nice shine. worked like a charm and cost less than 10 dollars! just make sure to tape off the area around the headlight, because I think I recall reading somewhere that toothpaste will harm your paint.