The original inspiration for this DIY comes from the metal polishing DIY, see http://forums.vwvortex.com/zer...age=1 for details. There's also this one, http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2246097, but it could use some step-by-steps with pictures. I was sick and tired of my yellow, scratched, banged up headlights. Unfortunately, I was so pleased with the results that I didn't wait for my camera to come back and did the other side. Here are the results.

Keep in mind that my 2000 VR6 has 135k miles of highway driving. Yes, these are the original headlights. The DIY shots were actually taken of my g/f's Civic, so I hope I don't get flamed too badly for it. The procedure is actually easier on a VW because the headlights are a flat surface. Here is a before / after shot of the Civic headlights.

Parts

Since I didn't have any automatic tools, I simply used a lot of elbow grease. Air tools and the like may make the job easier, but I do know it works this way for sure. Net cost: Approx $25.00.

1) Clean Terry Cloths (about 3)
2) Painter's Tape
3) Cloth Applicator (like you'd use to wax)
4) 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper
5) 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper
6) 3M Rubbing Compound
7) Plastic Polish (I used Meguiar's PlastX)

Tools

1) Some kind of squirt bottle, filled with water and dishwashing soap (do NOT use car soap, it has waxes and such)

Please be careful. Do this procedure at your own risk, I can't be held responsible if I have made a mistake in the steps.

Examining your parts

i. Before you start, make sure you have the above listed parts.

Wetsanding from 600 to 2000

1. Start by covering the edges of the flashlight with painter's tape. This protects your finish in case you are a little too agressive with the sanding process.

2. Douse the headlight with soapy water. It is always better to use too much then too little. Once the headlight is wet, start sanding the headlight using your 600 grit sandpaper, continuously adding soapy water to keep the surface wet. You want to sand in long, left to right strokes using moderate to light pressure. The point is to uniformly roughen the surface.

3. When you are done with the 600 grit, the surface should feel slightly rough, but you should not be able to see any surface blemishes. The headlight will look VERY hazy.

4. Switch over to the 2000 grit sandpaper. Repeat step 2 with the 2000 grit. When you are done, the headlight will still look hazy, but it will be a little bit clearer. However, the surface should be totally smooth and free of any imperfections. Repeat steps 2-4 if there are still some surface imperfections.

5. Dry off the headlight with a terry cloth. Here comes the magic. Using the 3M rubbing compound, apply a quarter-sized bit to a new terry cloth. Work the compound into the headlight surface using hard pressure in circular strokes. Frequently turn the cloth and continue rubbing until dry. This requires a LOT of elbow grease; you will want to work the headlight until your arm feels like it's going to fall off and then some. It doesn't hurt to go over the headlight 2-3 times.

6. Then, apply the plastic polish. Using an applicator pad, work the polish into the surface using firm pressure and circular strokes. Once you have covered the surface, wipe clean any residual with a new cloth.

7. Your headlight lens should be MUCH better then it was. I still had some slight scratches in the surface from the 600 grit wetsanding process, so I did the whole thing over again and there was nothing left.

That's it! Let me know if you have any questions!

Mike

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Mike

Quote, originally posted by bhb399mm »

added

the link is messed up

Quote, originally posted by bhb399mm »

great DIY.

x2

Elvir

Quote, originally posted by elements757 »

the link is messed up

....checking.....

Hahahahah I know exactly what that post was about.

Need Graphic, Product, or Web work done?

Quote, originally posted by elements757 »

the link is messed up

fixed ... -2 user points from myself.

nice DIY. i would hate doing that though, hopefully i will nver need it

1 cookie for you!

Go ride a bike

Eddy

Quote, originally posted by RvErD6 »

go lower look better get chicks

i used my porter cable random orbital polisher to polish in the rubbing compound and the plastic polish and it came out as good as new.

and I just realized that you're a local.

Quote, originally posted by Swizz!! »

I have a small penor

Quote, originally posted by vwtuner4ever »

Only thing missing is how to polish glass lens

That's a difficult one. If the headlights are tempered glass like the passenger / driver side windows, then they will shatter upon application of the compound due to the heat generated by the process.

Mike

Quote, originally posted by vwtuner4ever »

Only thing missing is how to polish glass lens

do they get cloudy?

The Lamin-X guys told me that if I apply they stuff on my headlight, those small scratches should disapear.
But, yeah I think i am asking too much and will go with the lamin-x instead

There are only two reasons to be in business: Fun and profit.
And if there's no profit, it's not much fun!!

Mike