First Headlight Restoration 96' Taurus

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Hey everyone,
This is my first write up. Not a BIG job but a pretty good job I think.
I did a headlight restoration on a 96' Ford Taurus that had some lamps that have been thru hell for lack of a better term. Other than being pretty much totally neglected...they even had a guy who went and took Ajax too them while my mom (the owner) was inside and when she walked out he was scrubbing away!

First let me lay out my products that were used.

1. PC with 4" LC Orange and White pad
2. Meguiars M105 Ultra Cut Compound
3. Meguiars M205 Ultra Finishing Polish
4. Megs PlastX
5. Microfiber applicator pad
6. TAPE
7. Microfiber towel(s)

Heres a picture of all products used:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Products_Used.JPG



Now here is a picture of what I was working on...this is the Drivers Side lamp:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Driver_Lamp_B4.JPG






Next I'll show you what steps I used as well as some pictures of the results. Sorry if the pictures are not great, but it got dark and I just did the best I could:)



My first step was Megs M105 Ultra Cut Compound with an Orange LC 4" Pad

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/First_Step.JPG



I made a small 'x' on the pad (didnt need TOO much product for a small headlight) and made a few passes over the light until the product was worked in...this is how it looked after 1 application
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/First_Pass.JPG

As you can see it already cleared up a lot after one application. I went on ahead since they were SO bad and did a second application. You cant really see a big difference in the next picture, but in person there was more clarity and less yellowing than after the first application.


Here is after the 2nd pass with M105:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Second_Pass.JPG


My second step was with Meguiars M205 Ultra Finishing Polish using the PC and a White 4" LC pad....as seen below...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Second_Step.JPG

I applied one coat of this to the headlight and then wiped it clean with my MF...heres the result (again sorry if a huge difference isnt seen...as i said it got dark on me :) )
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Third_Pass.JPG

As my Last Step Product I used Meguiars Plastx....Using a MF Applicator pad to apply it over the light and then wiping it clean with a MF.
Here is the finished result.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Driver_Finished.JPG



After that i did the same 3 step process to the running light next to it. Then I took a picture of the drivers side (right) totally done and the passengers side untouched....here's how it turned out:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Before_After1.JPG

Finally I repeated the same process to the passenger side lights and here is my final result

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Final_Result.JPG




The only thing I may recommend is if you have small running lights like on this car...3" pads may be easier to work on such a small light...otherwise the job went quite smoothly and probably would have taken about an hour or so to do if I hadnt been snapping pictures! It also helped to have my sister working with me along the way as well...doing the taping (which I hate and kinda suck at lol), taking the pictures and helping out with products :).

I should note that i did wash the headlights first before beginning any work and had my halogen light on my work area the entire time.

Both the M105 and M205 were spread on setting '3' with the PC first and then worked in on setting '6'.

I hope this has been helpful and any questions/constructive criticism/tips are all welcome.

Thanks all


Wills
Windows and Wheels

[Jenn1270]

Great post. Looks like they are brand new.

[fancyfootwork]

You did a good job, reminds me of my buddies Taurus headlights at work. Everytime I look at this car I think of restoring them.. hah

[Mindflux]

Nice work. I'd treat them with Plexus regularly after the fact as polishing them usually removes the UV coating that was once on them (and what has yellowed/hazed over time).

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Nice work. I'd treat them with Plexus regularly after the fact as polishing them usually removes the UV coating that was once on them (and what has yellowed/hazed over time).

Is Plexus and over the counter product or need to be ordered special (never heard of it). Would the Plastx I put on as a last step server as a sort of UV protectant/wax for the plastic?

Thanks for the compliments everyone, hope i did a decent write up as well as a decent job. And YES those taurus lights are nasty...I'm sure the old man scrubbing them with Ajax didnt help these any thou lol:props:

[Mindflux]

Is Plexus and over the counter product or need to be ordered special (never heard of it). Would the Plastx I put on as a last step server as a sort of UV protectant/wax for the plastic?

Thanks for the compliments everyone, hope i did a decent write up as well as a decent job. And YES those taurus lights are nasty...I'm sure the old man scrubbing them with Ajax didnt help these any thou lol:props:

You can find Plexus at local Marine places like West Marine, Autogeek sells it too. Basically anything with any UV protection properties will do the job (if you keep it up with regularity), plexus just happens to be the one I like most, it's an aerosol and very easy to use.

Plexus is the most effective plsatic polish available for cleaning, protecting,and polishing all kinds of plastic. plexus, plexus plastic (http://www.autogeek.net/plexus-plastic-polish.html)

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

You can find Plexus at local Marine places like West Marine, Autogeek sells it too. Basically anything with any UV protection properties will do the job (if you keep it up with regularity), plexus just happens to be the one I like most, it's an aerosol and very easy to use.

Plexus is the most effective plsatic polish available for cleaning, protecting,and polishing all kinds of plastic. plexus, plexus plastic (http://www.autogeek.net/plexus-plastic-polish.html)

Cool deal. Out here in Az you REALLY have to keep on top of it as the sun rests just 2 feet above my head lol