Headlight Restoration - I NEED HELP!!

[Lilskeezer]

I'm a bit of a newbie to the auto detailing world, but I've been trying to perfect all aspects since I am going to take up a side job of mobile detailing. That being said, my first adventure into the headlight restoration realm has been a discouraging one. After watching a Headlight Restoration video on another car care site I was convinced that the 4 step process: Wetsand w/ 1000 grit and 3000 grit sandpaper, apply cleaner (Meguiars Plastic Cleaner), and finish up with a polish (Meguiars Plastic Polish) would be a success. I even came back with a Meguiars wax I had in the garage since I wanted to try everything before I quit. I only got about half way there (in terms of quality) before I threw in the towel. I've attached the before and after shots of the headlights and am hoping someone can help (they weren't more yellow after, unfortunately I just had to change the light source). As you can see, the tops of each lens turned out pretty good, but there was an extra oxidized/weathered portion near the bottom of the lens that was very stubborn. I can't charge anybody for a job of this low quality, so let the comments/advice fly! Thanks!
BEFORE>>

AFTER>>

[OGauge4Me]

Have you tried Wolfgang? We used it on a CTS at a recent car meet in MI and it worked really well with just a PC.

Sorry there were no before pics.

[Derrick]

3M Headlight kit and a drill would make those headlights look new. Remember to use a respirator when you are sanding.

Derrick

[Meghan]

Does the bottom of the lenses feel rough, or is that pitted we are looking at?

[jdrumstik]

Dang Jetta's. I had very minor fogging on my 03 GLI and I spent a good hour trying to get rid of it (by hand). Those headlights are just so stubborn. I think you've got to use some sort of powertool attachment.

[Meghan]

He is right in order to clear up nasty headlights like that best way is with using a powertool like a polisher! You will otherwise be rubbing all day till you hand goes numb!

[Emile]

Plastic Cleaner and Plastic Polish will clean the headlights and restore the clarity, but it will not remove that oxidation, scratching, and hazing.

After wet-sanding, you need to restore the hazing and the clarity by using a machine-based plastic polish with some kind of cutting pad on a drill or Porter Cable. If you don't have a Porter Cable or a real buffer/rotary tool, then buy a kit that includes a backing plate for a cordless drill.

Autogeek sells a couple of different kits from Diamondite, 3M, and Meguiar's that should get the job done properly.

[loudog2]

Have you tried Wolfgang? We used it on a CTS at a recent car meet in MI and it worked really well with just a PC.

Sorry there were no before pics.

+1 for wolfgang cleaner w/a 4 inch orange pad on a PC

[Blackfire]

I was visiting my granddaughter yesterday and while walking to and from the playground, I was inspecting headlights in the neighborhood. I noticed that Volkswagen, Audi and GM cars were most often the victims.

Headlight Restoration would make a nice retirement subsidy and it's easy to do. There were 9 prospects in her neighborhood alone.

[jdrumstik]

Seeing as VW/Audi is the same company that follows reason. I've seen it really bad on Fords aswell.