Clearing up headlights and taillights

[clean96GST]

So when my car was at a shop it got overspray on it, and when they buffed it off my headlights turned into a foggy mess. How to I get the outside crystal clear again? I think I remember seeing people that wetsanded there's but I hear it goes foggy again pretty quick unless you put something over it. Do you guys know of a clear sticker or something I could put over them after I clear them up?

 

[PewPew90Laser]

Try Brasso
It's a brass polisher but the compound is forgiving enough to polish ipods, glass and take out imperfections.

kick your shop's ass for not doing proper prep work when masking.

 

[kimcheefists]

Invisible Patterns

 

[Tanro]

3m makes a headlight restoration kit you can get at almost any reputable auto parts store.

 

[clean96GST]

Try Brasso
It's a brass polisher but the compound is forgiving enough to polish ipods, glass and take out imperfections.

kick your shop's ass for not doing proper prep work when masking.

Yeah they're not my shop anymore for a reason... still think I should threaten to sue for a new paint job.

 

[highlandgst]

wetsanding works , ive used mothers mag polish and it worked great on mine theres afew products out there

 

[jdodds]

Your body shop should have removed the headlights when they painted the car if theyre the type of place that does a pretty thorough job. No big deal if they didnt. Depending on how bad your lights are, you have a few different options. If its just a light fog, Id just try some wax on them. If that doesnt work, most metal polishes seem to do a decent job. If it were me, I would go for some rubbing compound first, then a metal or plastic polish followed by a coat of wax. If youre looking for a new headlight look, take them out if you can and wetsand them. Youll be pretty happy with the results if you do it right.

 

[clean96GST]

Your body shop should have removed the headlights when they painted the car if theyre the type of place that does a pretty thorough job. No big deal if they didnt. Depending on how bad your lights are, you have a few different options. If its just a light fog, Id just try some wax on them. If that doesnt work, most metal polishes seem to do a decent job. If it were me, I would go for some rubbing compound first, then a metal or plastic polish followed by a coat of wax. If youre looking for a new headlight look, take them out if you can and wetsand them. Youll be pretty happy with the results if you do it right.

My car wasn't getting painted, it was in a shop and someone painted another car not in a booth or anything but in the same shop as my car. But thanks I picked up a headlight restore kit so we'll see if that does it and if not I'll wetsand them. How should I protect them after I sand them?

 

[azdave]

How should I protect them after I sand them?

It has been discussed here before.

Ventureshield paint protection film is by far the best way to preserve the lenses. The 6-mil film works great and you can apply it yourself with minimum experience. Check youtube for lots of how-to videos.

You can find the film by the foot on ebay or PM me for further info. A piece that is 24" x 24" will give you enough film to cover 3 lights (one for practice and two for keeps).

 

[dannyd97gst]

Wet sanding headlights- results with pictures, anyone know of a clearcoat? - DSM Forums
Very good info here also. The best clear coat I have ever seen or used is made by a company called BG. Many repair facilities cary the BG product. The headlight restoration kit is about $40 and comes with everything you need to restore atleast 2 headlights.
Pics to the left are obviousley after restoration was done.

 

[tjbiker031]

i have wet sanded my headlights a few times, just be sure if u don't buy an actual kit, buy 1,000 to 2,000 grit wet sand paper and follow up with a good plastic polish. and use a sanding block (very important!)

 

[SharpHID]

You guys in need of any XPEL? I just recently started selling this and right now have it on sale for $44.95 plus shipping. XPEL is a headlight protection film available in different colors. It contains UV protection and will prevent the headlights yellowing which works great if you have just spent the time to polish and clear them up.

 

[Squirrel8811]

Crystal View Headlight Restore. Walmart $16 best investment I ever made and its permanent.

YouTube - Headlight Restoration Instructions

 

[brandon1239]

the 3m kit is amazing. takes about twenty mins and they will look good as new.

 

[Grimey]

Pep Boys sells three or more kits for under 20 dollars. I have used several of them and they all seem to work equally as well.

 

[david9291]

I used 600 grit followed by 1000 grit then polished with turtle wax polishing compound. Worked great to get the headlights from very yellowed to clear and non foggy. Should be a permanent fix and you could do a lot more than a couple headlights this way.