DIY: Headlight Lens Restoration

[lensch09]

DISCLAIMER:
Wetsanding and Powertools should not be exercised on a vehicle by ANYONE but a professional. WORK AT YOUR OWN RISK
Okay, this seems to be a common problem with MK4 Jetta headlights I've noticed. The lens begins to fog up with road debris, fallout, and surface marring which really cuts down on night vision. There is a fix though and this is it.
Tools needed:
800 grit sand paper
1000 grit sand paper
1500 grit sand paper
Some sort of wet-sanding liquid (water, instant detailer, a light degreaser)
Cutting Compound of your choice
Polishing Compound of your choice
Optional tools:
Machine buffer, Rotary, or DA with pads (I used a PC7424 with 2 different levels of CCS pads)... Power tools will cut down on work time/effort required by exponential amounts
Various assortments of Torque (T25, T27) if you will be removing the headlights/bumper-cover
Some sort of paper-tape if not removing the headlights/bumper-cover
Here is a close up in detail of a lens that needs restoration. (this car only has 50,xxx miles but the headlights are subpar)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3019.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3020.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3018.jpg
Step one: If removing the headlight is not an option, be sure to tape around the lens to protect the paint on the vehicle (we will be sanding). Save yourself some time and effort by taking this step
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3021.jpg
Step Two:
Begin wetsanding the headlights using the most course grit first (i started with 1000 grit but 800 grit would have been better). Be sure to go in a back in forth or up and down motion, DO NOT MAKE CIRCLES!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3023.jpg
Step Three:
Progressively move towards a finer grit of sand paper until you've reached the finest grit you have (I finished with 1500). The headlights will begin to haze over. DO NOT BE ALARMED, this is good. We will buff that out later
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3022.jpg
Step Four:
Use a rubbing compound to slim down on the scratches/haze that have developed as a result of wetsanding. Again, go back and forth, DO NOT MAKE CIRCLES. (I used a PC7424 with Lake Country CCS pads (yellow and orange) and Pinnacle XMT#4)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3024.jpg
Step Five:
Use a polishing compound to get the finished look. (I used the PC7424 with a Lake Country White CCS and 3M Finnesse-IT2 Finishing Polish)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3028.jpg
(I opted to remove the headlights from the vehicle as I was not acheiving the results I desired while the lights were installed on the vehicle. The front bumper cover must be removed before you can remove the headlights)
Before and After:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3026.jpg
After Pictures
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3027.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3028.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3029.jpg
After a bath and ready for customer delivery
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3030-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3031-1.jpg
Happy Detailing
-Dan

[ScottB]

not to knock your hard work, but I used the Wolfgang Kit a couple years back on friends Malibu and got similar results quite a bit quicker. He actually took the kit when done he liked it so much. It had a foam drill bit and some polishes and sealants.

nice work on yours too ...

[budman3]

Have you ever used some sort of coating or protectant after polishing to prevent the oxidation from coming back?

[HHIslander]

in the first pictures I was praying the car was going to get cleaned too...haha

nice work on the headlights...

[f_bomb]

I've tried a lot of DIY methods...Toothpaste, wax, PlasticX, brasso. I heard used brake fluid works but wasn't bold enough to try that...Picked up Quixx restore kit at a local shop after reading good reviews in a Nissan mag. The wax did a good job (best so far),they suggest wetsand too and have a little kit w/it.

I will dig this up when I do (the wet sand)...Looks good- minus the bird turd! :)

[rwisejr]

Nice turn out .But I usually use 1000 Grit and system one X3 and the system one 4 inch pad and have the same results and less time consuming.Not to knock your process !!!

[Junebug]

I use a slightly modified technique. I wet sand with 1500 - 2000, then use my rotary with a 4 " PFW and Megs 95 or 85/84 if you have that.

[Jimmie]

Just finished some on a Honda. 2000grit; compound w/5.5 orange, rotary; XMT 1 w/5.5 white, rotary; Klasse AIO hand app. Perfect.

[ss-truck]

I know depending on severity of hazing and how long to repair , but what is the average price you guys charge for polishing the lenses ?

[SpotlessDetail]

I charge 65 a set

[kurtdaniel]

nice output..!!good thing I found this thread..now I can start restoring my own headlight assembly (http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/shop_brands/spyder.html)..:xyxthumbs::dblthumb2:Im the MAN