Critique my headlight restoration...

[Eldorado2k]

@SWETM. I’m just going to use the McKee’s Headlight Coating.

[Setec Astronomy]

Hey Eldo, as was mentioned, a yellow cutting pad is kind of coarse for a final polishing step...I mean you wouldn't use that on paint as a final step. When I sand headlights (and I like to finish with 5000 grit) I use a soft pad and a fine polish for the final step, if I stop at 3000 grit I would use something more like a medium polish on an orange pad, then go to the soft pad and finer polish.

[PearTree]

I would try a softer finishing pad with a finishing polish. The last picture of the headlight is what most of my headlights look like after the compounding stage with the haze left. After using a finishing pad and polish my haze goes away and looks crystal clear.

If that doesn't work, then you will need to go back and sand again. Most likely if this is the case dull oxidized plastic material is still left on the headlight and needs to be removed for a better finish.

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[WaxMaster1]

No critique here, I may have dry sanded with 500 as recommended. With the last touch (adding lubricity) turning into wet sanding......maybe not enough initial cut was achieved. I'm reaching, but that's the only variable I can think of.

[RippyD]

Big improvement. As other have said, you may try more sanding with finer grit and then polish down with a finishing polish. However, I have one headlight that either has deeper clouding or is cloudy on the inside as I just can't get it perfectly clear. I just live with it.

[JustJesus]

I did the headlights (one of them, the rep from 3D did the other) on my Toyota Yaris years ago. They looked more in line with the "before" that Suds posted, not as bad as what you posted, Eldo.

Wet sanded, then polished with wool pad on a rotary, and I *think* another polish. They came out good. No protection and that lasted a bit over a year. I'll have to search for my notes on the process, though.

The finished look is shown below. They are bad once again and I have the Meguiar's headlight kit that I plan to use on it once I have a moment to do it. I'll be sure to take photos and do a write-up.

[TTQ B4U]

My usual approach on ones that are bad like that is 800-1000 grit dry. I then move to 2000 grit and 3000 grit wet. Really work to get the oxidation off as once you get through that all the way, all that will be left is polishing. I have a couple orange hexlogic pads that are older which I retire to plastics like headlights. I start off with a compound then polish and usually have really good success. The only catch I've found that is disappointing is on some lights they are cloudy on the inside which hurts from getting that brand new look.

[HateSwirls]

Headlights are weird to me.

Sometimes we get a pair of headlights that are horrible and come out looking new and other times not so bad lamps that come out just okay.

I don't promote headlight restoration at my shop for that simple reason.
Weird

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[Setec Astronomy]

Wow, there's another MIA member...how's it going, HateSwirls??

[HateSwirls]

Wow, there's another MIA member...how's it going, HateSwirls??

Everything good here.

Hope all is well for you.

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