Headlight Restoration Kit Question

TorqueSteer · 10-15-2018, 09:26 AM

Hello!

Yesterday I attempted to use a 3M Headlight restoration kit on my moderately hazed headlights. For the first light, I used all 3 grades of sandpaper in the kit (P500 dry sand, P800 dry sand, P3000 wet sand) and finished off with polish. For the second light, I just P3000 wet sanded because I felt the 500 and 800 may have been overkill. Turns out I was right. The first headlight does not have the sheen of the light that was only wet sanded. It is smooth, but has a slightly more matte finish due to the more intense sanding. Is it possible to get back the fully glossy finish of the first headlight?

wideglideleon · 10-15-2018, 03:07 PM

Yes it is, use the wet P3000 again and the plastic polish. That should make her all shiny.

Zbrah · 10-15-2018, 04:54 PM

Remember to use a good sealer after done polishing too.

wideglideleon · 10-15-2018, 05:51 PM

True, I use the maguires sealer every couple months.

TorqueSteer · 10-16-2018, 11:41 AM

Thank you both! I was a bit nervous about the outcome after this weekend’s initial results with the restoration kit. But I very carefully and diligently wet sanded again. Added plenty of polish, and now the headlight looks amazing.

I will be adding Lamin X headlight covers to help protect from the hazing and fading. Do you still recommend using sealer before laying down the Lamin-X?

bunk · 10-18-2018, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TorqueSteer

Thank you both! I was a bit nervous about the outcome after this weekend’s initial results with the restoration kit. But I very carefully and diligently wet sanded again. Added plenty of polish, and now the headlight looks amazing.

I will be adding Lamin X headlight covers to help protect from the hazing and fading. Do you still recommend using sealer before laying down the Lamin-X?

I sprayed some clear coat after sanding the headlights on my gf's car. Came out great. It lasted about 3 years. I didnt use the kit. Just bought the sand paper and clear coat.

TorqueSteer · 10-31-2018, 09:27 AM

Ultimately, I ended up not adding clear or wax. The lamin x is very thick and I figure that added layer will be the best way to protect the headlights for now.

Louievee0413 · 10-31-2018, 09:46 AM

Ive seen people seal their headlights with ceramic coating. I think I may give that a try the next time I need to clear my headlights up again. There's some videos on youtube you can check out about it.

10-15-2018, 09:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
TorqueSteer Base Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Here Posts: 55 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 8	Headlight Restoration Kit Question Hello! Yesterday I attempted to use a 3M Headlight restoration kit on my moderately hazed headlights. For the first light, I used all 3 grades of sandpaper in the kit (P500 dry sand, P800 dry sand, P3000 wet sand) and finished off with polish. For the second light, I just P3000 wet sanded because I felt the 500 and 800 may have been overkill. Turns out I was right. The first headlight does not have the sheen of the light that was only wet sanded. It is smooth, but has a slightly more matte finish due to the more intense sanding. Is it possible to get back the fully glossy finish of the first headlight? Last edited by TorqueSteer; 10-16-2018 at 11:38 AM.

10-15-2018, 04:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zbrah A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2013 Location: The370Z.com Posts: 4,956 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 5452	Remember to use a good sealer after done polishing too. __________________

10-16-2018, 11:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
TorqueSteer Base Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Here Posts: 55 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 8	Thank you both! I was a bit nervous about the outcome after this weekend’s initial results with the restoration kit. But I very carefully and diligently wet sanded again. Added plenty of polish, and now the headlight looks amazing. I will be adding Lamin X headlight covers to help protect from the hazing and fading. Do you still recommend using sealer before laying down the Lamin-X? Last edited by TorqueSteer; 10-16-2018 at 11:43 AM.

10-31-2018, 09:46 AM	#8 (permalink)
Louievee0413 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Islandia Ny Posts: 312 Drives: 2013 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 8	Ive seen people seal their headlights with ceramic coating. I think I may give that a try the next time I need to clear my headlights up again. There's some videos on youtube you can check out about it. __________________ / Evo R DRL / IJDMTOY Rocket bunny lights / Art pipes / Tomei / Gen 3 intake / Concept Z / Bc Coilovers / Z1 / Z Speed / SPC /

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10-15-2018, 03:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
wideglideleon Track Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 569 Drives: SC 09 370Z LG 7AT Rep Power: 64085	Yes it is, use the wet P3000 again and the plastic polish. That should make her all shiny.

10-15-2018, 05:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
wideglideleon Track Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 569 Drives: SC 09 370Z LG 7AT Rep Power: 64085	True, I use the maguires sealer every couple months.

10-31-2018, 09:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
TorqueSteer Base Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Here Posts: 55 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 8	Ultimately, I ended up not adding clear or wax. The lamin x is very thick and I figure that added layer will be the best way to protect the headlights for now.