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I fixed the headlight lens. Here’s how.

Fu Manchu

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I got a $16 headlight repair kit. Seems good enough.
The drill pad for polishing was the only thing really any good. Their plastic polish and the uv protectant is worth it too.

I wasn’t keen on masking the paint so off came the bumper. Headlights off and could do the work a bit more comfy too.

The bloody 800 grit sanding pad provided came apart and scratched up the lens. So I grabbed a sanding block and 800 grit wet and dry.
Sprayed water on as I went and sprayed down the lens and paper as often as I could.

Doing this by hand was way better. Much quicker and better finish at almost every point.

Then moved to 1500 grit.
Then 2000 grit.
Then the polish provided, which was quite course. I used the drill polish pad provided on this bit.

Then moved to Mothers Plastic polish and things quickly went to the next level. Did heaps of passes like this.
Then moved to hand polishing with the Mother’s Plastic Polish.

Then, turned it over and sprayed a heap of Aerospace 303 on the back. Used a shaving brush to work it into the plastic. Then wiped clean with a microfiber cloth.

You have to coat the lens with the uv protectant last.

I will be getting the 3M Clear Bra headlight cover. Then this never needs doing again. They are about $80 on eBay.

In summary, I’m stoked with the finish. Did this thinking fk it, if it sort of works I’m ahead anyway.
I almost bought a new one.
These look as good as a headlight that might be a few years old. Lens is clear but a few bits of putting from stones. You have to look hard to find then though.

I spent about 2hours on one headlight. Nice with the radio on and hot cup of tea on hand.
 

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Dayvo

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You can really see the difference , looks good and 2 hours of rubbing will also build up the arm.muscles. I need to something to mine too, in full sun they both look like they have been sandblasted. ( My lights not my arms )
 

Fu Manchu

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Heres The second one.
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I found some 500 grit and that made the starting off easier. Got what’s left of the coating off faster. Then did the 800 grit.

I wanted to go to 1000 grit, then 1200 but out of stock at the shop.
Had to go to 1500. Like before.
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Then 2000 like last time.
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Then polish.
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Machine with generic polish. I did this 10 or so times.
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Then 5 passes of the mother’s.
Then hand polished with mother’s.


I had the setting sun come through. Just the right angle to show up the imperfections. Mostly inside the lens. A light fog. Bits of a disintegrated led.
In the sun during the day, it looks near perfect. In the shade they look new. The sun shining down through the side of the lens is what it took to show up imperfections.
Not sure what to do with that?
Maybe some isopropyl alcohol in there? Tip it to drain the muck away from where it matters? A vacuum and then blow out the housing.

D51B85F3-A2C5-4CDB-BE47-92C782807D9B.jpeg


I gave the backing two good soakings of Areospace 303. It was getting a bit brittle and faded by uv exposure. Looks like almost new.

Me at the end of this:
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Aussie Trev

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I use Kitten No2 cut and polish on a 7" lambswool buff. One step, no muscle required, gives you the rest of the day to enjoy that cuppa.
 

Fu Manchu

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I got nearly all the small stone chips out and even with 800 grit, it was a fair bit of work to properly remove the remaining degraded uv coating.
 

greenacc

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I've got to give this a try
 

mpower

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I miss sealed beams, never had to worry about this crap.
 

losh1971

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Hey Fu, which kit did you use, or do you recommend? I'm thinking of getting a SH pair of headlights and overhauling them, depending on what I can get them for.
I just don't have a whole day that I can spend on the ute in one go, otherwise I'd do mine. But I do have a couple of hours here and there on a weekend, or an hour or so a few days after work.
 
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