[KelseytheDodgeGirl]

Alrighty then.

I've been seriously considering replacing my headlights because I thought they were doomed, they were so hazed and oxidized. Polish alone didn't even begin to touch it.

I have tried some of the lower end kits before, the one-step ones and wrote them all off because they didn't work. Well, I bought a Meguiar's Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit (the link is to AutoGeek, if anyone wants to see it) (I went to Advance to get the 3M kit, but the Meguiar's one was a little cheaper, I had a coupon and both had fantastic reviews.)

It came with a hand pad and two sanding discs-- 1000 grit and 3000 grit, a buffing pad for a drill, Meguiar's Plast-X polish, a UV protectant and a rather nice microfiber towel.

I had a sheet of 800 grit Auto-Grade sand paper left from working on Silver's various issues, so I wet sanded it with that first, then used the kit (also wet sanding) since I was worried the 1000 wasn't enough.

I used a water bottle with a squirt top to keep the headlight and the sand paper moist, paper towels and window cleaner between grits to clear the headlights of the residue, then washed the front end after buffing because dang, it was a messy process. It probably took a couple hours, but I was going slowly and there WERE definitely distractions (one of them is named Tess, and she's an eight month old puppy with an abandonment complex).


Holy buffing, Batman! I was concerned because of how 'frosted' the light still looked after sanding with the 3000, but that Plast-X is amazing stuff. I'd recommend it right now, but I don't know how this and the protectant will do in the long run, we'll see though.


Before:

Compare:

After: (not the best pic, but it's dark now so I can't get another.)

They're not perfect yet, I think I was too nervous with the sanding to get deep enough in a few places, but they're still 1000% better than they were, IMO.
I'm so glad I did this before I ordered new headlights!
All that's left is to crack open the driver's side headlight and dry it out, then seal it up since it's so prone to filling with water.

So, If anyone has hazed headlights, I definitely recommend Meguiar's for the job!

 

[PaulMys]

Great review, Kelsey!!! That certainly took some elbow-grease and time. The end result looks amazing.

And..... lmao about Tess! I know these distractions all to well!

 

[KelseytheDodgeGirl]

Great review, Kelsey!!! That certainly took some elbow-grease and time. The end result looks amazing.

And..... lmao about Tess! I know these distractions all to well!

Thanks Paul!
The thing I love about this kind of stuff is that it didn't feel like two hours. I had to estimate using the time stamps on the pictures I took of the progress. (there's like 30 pictures total, I may have gone a little crazy) If any one wants some progress photos, just ask, I probably have one...

I'm definitely loving the results and may try just the polish on the '96 because the Beast's lights are hazed/ yellowed, but it's not deep or rough. We'll see if I get the chance.

Tess is a boxer/pitbull.... thing. She's all energy and crazy. She's smart... but stupid with energy. It makes things interesting, that's for sure.

 

[PaulMys]

I've always had great results with Meguiars' products. My truck looks amazing to me, and I'm quite aware it's not concourse show quality, but it's a TRUCK. That being said, I get compliments from all kinds of people on how it looks "brand new".

As for Tess: Um........ don't I know it! I gave up on having a "Hole-free" lawn years ago with my Pitbull excavators. They do it with a smile, though!

 

[KelseytheDodgeGirl]

Your opinion is the one that matters, it's your vehicle. Though the compliments are always fantastic.

I feel so much better with those headlights fixed. It always made me... sick, I guess, after I did a full detail and those hazed headlights sat there mocking me. HA! I showed them.

A holey yard with dogs in it is 10000% better than a perfect yard with no furry love bugs in it, and that's a fact.

 

[lvfcrook1503]

Great work!!! I had to do the headlights on my Titan which were relatively flat and after 4 hours I said F' it and ordered some aftermarkets lol. Can't imagine how much "fun" yours were with the shape of them

 

[VPRPWRD]

Very good write up! Similar results can be achieved with some elbow grease. Repeated wet sanding with progressively finer sand paper and a few coats of clear.

 

[KelseytheDodgeGirl]

Great work!!! I had to do the headlights on my Titan which were relatively flat and after 4 hours I said F' it and ordered some aftermarkets lol. Can't imagine how much "fun" yours were with the shape of them

Hey thanks! The shape most definitely made it interesting but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I honestly enjoyed doing it once I got a rhythm going. :smileup:

Very good write up! Similar results can be achieved with some elbow grease. Repeated wet sanding with progressively finer sand paper and a few coats of clear.

Thanks a bunch! I thought about going this route, but I was afraid that the clear wouldn't adhere very well and would end up peeling. I chose the Meguiar's kit because of their rep, and a quick google search pulled up good reviews from AutoGeek and their customers. Since I figured the pictures didn't lie, I went for it.

 

[92896]

Wow, great write up, I'm happy to see someone actually made one of these kits work. I always thought they were junk.