Headlight re clear help

JENZ · 09-01-2014, 05:04 PM

Just use the 3m headlight restoration kit you can buy at autozone. I've used it on my old rx8 and the result was amazing. Consisted of several grades of sanding and a polish. All done with a drill attachment.

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jtochterman · 09-01-2014, 09:17 PM

It is most definitely automatic car washes. My 2011 has the same yellowing and scratching on the headlights. The first two years they looked like brand new while I did all hand washes every month or so. Unfortunately the past year was hectic with work travel and with being sick, so I would run it through a car wash occasionally just to keep it clean and I have noticed the headlights yellowing badly (I knew better but did it anyway, so now I must do my penance). I will be doing the Maguire's restoration soon and will post before and after pics.

SlowZ · 09-01-2014, 09:33 PM

Thanks all for the advice! I hand wash mine because I'm too low to get into the DIY wash in town. I like the idea of doing it myself so I'll check out autozones 3m one.

JENZ · 09-01-2014, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowZ

Thanks all for the advice! I hand wash mine because I'm too low to get into the DIY wash in town. I like the idea of doing it myself so I'll check out autozones 3m one.

If I (a woman) can do it..... Surely you can.... :P

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shaun66 · 09-02-2014, 01:35 AM

I did the 3m kit about a month ago on one of my headlights. It looked great for about 2 weeks, but now its back to the same original yellowed, hazed state. You def need to put a proper protectant on after you restore them.

SlowZ · 09-02-2014, 01:53 AM

Blahh maybe I might have SAMs club do it then, especially if they have a 5 year warranty on it like Pint said

Asheth · 09-02-2014, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowZ

Blahh maybe I might have SAMs club do it then, especially if they have a 5 year warranty on it like Pint said

Just ask them what their process is pay attention to what they say is the clearing process and what they use for clear coat/uv protection.

kenchan · 09-02-2014, 10:43 AM

i dont think it's the UV coating itself they put on that sheilds it from getting yellow.
im sure it helps, but it's not the solution.

cause my dd's parked outside use no uv protection/sealants beside watever
spray i use from time to time to clean the lenses... and those spray polymers only last a
few weeks at best.

it's definitely something people are using to wash their cars with imho...

RyanWest · 09-02-2014, 07:38 PM

Looks like you washed your headlight with a Brillo pad. Wonder what your paint looks like

SlowZ · 09-02-2014, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanWest

Looks like you washed your headlight with a Brillo pad. Wonder what your paint looks like

Paint is perfect, as is the rest of the car. It's just the headlights that need attention. I clean my tail lights just as much as my head lights and they are clear as can be.

SlowZ · 09-02-2014, 08:31 PM

RyanWest · 09-02-2014, 10:25 PM

What have you been cleaning the lights with?

SlowZ · 09-03-2014, 12:59 AM

The same soap since I have had the car which is 1.5 years. It literally just started getting bad too. If it's the soap then my tail lights would be trashed and they're not.

kenchan · 09-03-2014, 12:12 PM

which soap and were you using a sponge?

1325 · 09-03-2014, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowZ

The same soap since I have had the car which is 1.5 years. It literally just started getting bad too. If it's the soap then my tail lights would be trashed and they're not.

I think it's partly due to radiation given off by HIDs too. A lot of older vehicles with HID that haven't been cared for have that extremely foggy look about them.

09-01-2014, 05:04 PM	#16 (permalink)
JENZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,356 Drives: 2016 Mazda MX-5 Club Rep Power: 20	Just use the 3m headlight restoration kit you can buy at autozone. I've used it on my old rx8 and the result was amazing. Consisted of several grades of sanding and a polish. All done with a drill attachment. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk SouthArk370Z and SlowZ like this. __________________ IG: @dawdlingcupcake

09-01-2014, 09:33 PM	#18 (permalink)
SlowZ Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: So cal Posts: 371 Drives: Z Rep Power: 11	Thanks all for the advice! I hand wash mine because I'm too low to get into the DIY wash in town. I like the idea of doing it myself so I'll check out autozones 3m one. JENZ likes this.

09-02-2014, 01:53 AM	#21 (permalink)
SlowZ Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: So cal Posts: 371 Drives: Z Rep Power: 11	Blahh maybe I might have SAMs club do it then, especially if they have a 5 year warranty on it like Pint said Pintsize725 likes this.

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09-01-2014, 09:17 PM	#17 (permalink)
jtochterman Base Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Georgia Posts: 8 Drives: 11 Nissan 370Z GM A7 Rep Power: 12	It is most definitely automatic car washes. My 2011 has the same yellowing and scratching on the headlights. The first two years they looked like brand new while I did all hand washes every month or so. Unfortunately the past year was hectic with work travel and with being sick, so I would run it through a car wash occasionally just to keep it clean and I have noticed the headlights yellowing badly (I knew better but did it anyway, so now I must do my penance). I will be doing the Maguire's restoration soon and will post before and after pics.

09-02-2014, 01:35 AM	#20 (permalink)
shaun66 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: n Posts: 837 Drives: MB 370z 7AT Rep Power: 16	I did the 3m kit about a month ago on one of my headlights. It looked great for about 2 weeks, but now its back to the same original yellowed, hazed state. You def need to put a proper protectant on after you restore them.

09-02-2014, 10:43 AM	#23 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	i dont think it's the UV coating itself they put on that sheilds it from getting yellow. im sure it helps, but it's not the solution. cause my dd's parked outside use no uv protection/sealants beside watever spray i use from time to time to clean the lenses... and those spray polymers only last a few weeks at best. it's definitely something people are using to wash their cars with imho...

09-02-2014, 07:38 PM	#24 (permalink)
RyanWest Track Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tamp, Fl Posts: 714 Drives: 2009 Nissan Rep Power: 33	Looks like you washed your headlight with a Brillo pad. Wonder what your paint looks like

09-02-2014, 08:31 PM	#26 (permalink)
SlowZ Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: So cal Posts: 371 Drives: Z Rep Power: 11

09-02-2014, 10:25 PM	#27 (permalink)
RyanWest Track Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tamp, Fl Posts: 714 Drives: 2009 Nissan Rep Power: 33	What have you been cleaning the lights with?

09-03-2014, 12:59 AM	#28 (permalink)
SlowZ Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: So cal Posts: 371 Drives: Z Rep Power: 11	The same soap since I have had the car which is 1.5 years. It literally just started getting bad too. If it's the soap then my tail lights would be trashed and they're not.

09-03-2014, 12:12 PM	#29 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	which soap and were you using a sponge?