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04-08-2010, 06:24 PM | #1 |
On a trek to upgrade...
Drives: 2003 Echo Coupe Join Date: Mar 2010
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Headlight Restoration
Hello, I questions about headlight restoration. I have done the diligent work of reading through the forums, but I cannot find the appropriate answer.
I was at autozone and I saw two options:
Which one is superior? Are these prices decent, or could I find a better price elsewhere? Are there any other options I should consider? |
04-08-2010, 06:28 PM | #2 |
Banned
Drives: 07 sedan Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: new mexico
Posts: 292
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haven't tried rain-x on headlights, but their other products are good.
The meguiars plast-x is good stuff. Works on headlights and the speedo plastic. The "restoration kit" is overpriced towels and crap with the plast-x. Just get a bottle of plast-x for under 10 bucks. |
04-08-2010, 07:07 PM | #3 |
ULTIMATE
Drives: 07 Yaris Turbo Join Date: May 2007
Location: Canoga Park, CA
Posts: 14,859
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^ this is good advice. And, I've recently tried to restore plastic turn signal covers (1990 Toyota pickup), and I can only say, use a power tool. Doing it by hand took HOURS, a good polisher will make short work of the job.
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Micro Image forums, online store and shop are now closed. It was a great eight year run, but it was time to focus on other things. I'm still selling parts on eBay under micro*image seller ID and customers can still make requests for anything specific. |
04-08-2010, 07:08 PM | #4 |
Are you familiar with wet sanding ? I believe that is what will be included in the kit. How bad are your headlights ? Have you tried rubbing compound over them ? Or if you have a buffer setting it at around 1600 rpm's with some extra cut compound then some polishing compound.
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Audio is under Construction Kenwood KDC-X794 Hifonics Zeus ZXI6.5C 6.5-Inch 2-Way Component Speaker System - AUTOTEK ATX65CX 6.5-Inch Hifonics BXi 1210D - Crunch PowerZone P1400.4 (2)12 inch Kicker CVR's - 0 gauge from battery to Distribution block - 4 Gauge Power/Grounds to amps - Duralast Yellow Top - Big 3 |
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04-08-2010, 09:01 PM | #5 |
On a trek to upgrade...
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If it helps, I'll post pictures. The Meiguars comes with a buffer that attaches to a normal drill to make it really easy on you. So, that may be good?
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04-09-2010, 01:12 PM | #6 |
Pictures help, Do you have any products at home such as rubbing compound and some sort of polishing compound ? If so then all you need is some 2000 grit sandpaper. I should have taken pictures of a 2001 solara i restored the headlights on, they were pretty gone, but i just wetsanded with the 2000, then used some Regular Turtle wax paste Rubbing compound, Then used a layer of wax, they came out pretty darn good.
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Audio is under Construction Kenwood KDC-X794 Hifonics Zeus ZXI6.5C 6.5-Inch 2-Way Component Speaker System - AUTOTEK ATX65CX 6.5-Inch Hifonics BXi 1210D - Crunch PowerZone P1400.4 (2)12 inch Kicker CVR's - 0 gauge from battery to Distribution block - 4 Gauge Power/Grounds to amps - Duralast Yellow Top - Big 3 |
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04-09-2010, 02:21 PM | #7 |
On a trek to upgrade...
Drives: 2003 Echo Coupe Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
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Naw bro, I have no products at home. I've never done anything to my car before and thus I have no tools etc. I'll get some pics right now.
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04-09-2010, 02:55 PM | #8 |
On a trek to upgrade...
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Headlight Pictures
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04-09-2010, 02:56 PM | #9 |
On a trek to upgrade...
Drives: 2003 Echo Coupe Join Date: Mar 2010
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Posts: 121
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I guess you have to click the thumbnails to see the full picture.
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04-09-2010, 11:50 PM | #10 |
They're actually not that bad, Since you don't have any type of stuff at home, the kit would probably be the cheapest route. Just read it before you buy it and see if you're comfortable doing the entire process. Like i said some will give you a 1500 grit sandpaper and a 2000 grit sandpaper. You will then wetsand the headlights. The 1500 will be to knock off all the oxidation from the headlight, then the 2000 will be to smooth out the scratches from the 1500. After that it'll have some sort of compound to buff out the scratches from the sanding. Then after that it'll more than likely have some sort of sealant, Or basically...Wax.
I'd try to find some sort of tutorial on whatever product you buy, do an online search and try youtube, You'd be suprised.
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Audio is under Construction Kenwood KDC-X794 Hifonics Zeus ZXI6.5C 6.5-Inch 2-Way Component Speaker System - AUTOTEK ATX65CX 6.5-Inch Hifonics BXi 1210D - Crunch PowerZone P1400.4 (2)12 inch Kicker CVR's - 0 gauge from battery to Distribution block - 4 Gauge Power/Grounds to amps - Duralast Yellow Top - Big 3 |
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04-10-2010, 12:52 AM | #11 |
On a trek to upgrade...
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Thanks I'll do just that.
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04-10-2010, 03:38 AM | #12 |
i heard you can use tooth paste....
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04-10-2010, 08:18 AM | #13 |
Chunk love Yarii
Drives: 2008 Silver 3DR Yaris Liftback Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ft. Worth, Tx
Posts: 331
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^+1 dude if it works for cds it should work for headlights lol
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04-10-2010, 03:43 PM | #14 |
On a trek to upgrade...
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Seriously? Lol
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05-19-2010, 01:44 AM | #15 |
Drives: Toyota Join Date: May 2010
Location: Stuck Under The Bonnet Of My Car
Posts: 3
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Rain X Headlight Restoration Kit - 15.99
Great product, comes with 3 pads (basically sandpaper), a lubricant for wet sanding, a plastic polish, and a sealer for a good price. Took my headlights from zero to hero in only a few minutes! I was surprised how great these worked. They're not absolutely perfect now, but considering how trashed my lenses were... I'm happy. |
05-19-2010, 06:10 AM | #16 | |
black shark
Drives: black toyota yaris t3 sprit Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pretoria, south africa
Posts: 122
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Quote:
how much is new head light covers, just get new covers it will save u alot of time and it will up lift the car again,
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05-19-2010, 10:15 AM | #17 |
Drives: Black Vitz Liftback Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 238
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If your headlamps have already turned yellowish/hazy I've used the Meguiars plastic cleaner and polish with good results. If you're in the early stages of hazing I use Plexius available at most motorcycle shops and other than pits from sand/small stones my headlamps look new. Plexius makes the taillamps look shiny like glass and you can make an instrument lens look new.
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05-21-2010, 04:31 PM | #18 |
On a trek to upgrade...
Drives: 2003 Echo Coupe Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 121
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So, I tried the Rain X kit.
It did work, but not as well as I expected. It looks much better than my other headlight, but far from "new" or even "newish" type of look promised. Could it have been that I didn't put enough elbow grease while sanding the headlights? I can post pics if you guys would like. |
Tags |
headlight, headlight restoration, headlights |
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