Are all headlight restore kits the same?

**Rhudeboye** · 11-24-2010, 10:19 AM

I'm looking to restore the headlights on my 2002 BMW 330.

The oxidation is pretty bad. While at an auto store I picked up the turtle wax headlight restore kit Turtle Wax - Headlight Lens Restorer .

I follwed the steps which was to ad the chemical and start with the high grit sand paper, then work your way to the lower grit as needed. It came with 3 types of paper and 2 different liquid solutions. In the end my light (I only worked on one) looked just a little better then start. I'll go out shortly and take pics with my phone.

This kit doesnt allow me to attach anything to a drill. New BMW lens cost $160. each. OUCH!

Would a different kit yield better results or have some of you found that some oxidation just wont come out?

**SeaJay's** · 11-24-2010, 10:28 AM

Do you have a DA or Rotory? You can polish them out that way too. Typically they come with a ball that you can attach to your drill and polish out the sanding marks.

The Mothers kit I purchased came with the drill attachment and two sanding pads with some plastic polish. I actually have yet to use it.

**Rhudeboye** · 11-24-2010, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by SeaJay's

Do you have a DA or Rotory? You can polish them out that way too. .

Yes, I have GG. (I have a Flex on the way). What product do you use and with what pad?

**SeaJay's** · 11-24-2010, 10:38 AM

I've never actually done it myself, but I know some people use different combos with their DA or Flex. Basically polishing them out like they would paint. I'm assuming you can just do a test and see what works. What products do you have available to you? Since it's plastic, it has to be softer than the paint on your BMW, so I'd try the least aggressive method first.

Again i can't really tell you what to use since I've never done it before. I'd wait till someone with some experience doing this chimes in.

**Rhudeboye** · 11-24-2010, 10:45 AM

Gotcha, I'm currently at work with about 20% of the office doing very little. Hell I'm doing nothing but looking at black friday ads and talking to you guys.

So i can wait for others to chime in.

**SeaJay's** · 11-24-2010, 10:51 AM

Yeah I'm with you on that one. No one is in my office today and I literally have done nothing but sit on detailing forums all day.

**Rhudeboye** · 11-24-2010, 08:09 PM

Anyone else?

**skipper1** · 11-24-2010, 08:24 PM

Did nothing but show up, have a long lunch and got to go home at 2pm.

I hope it's OK to post this, if not, I understand. Rick over at ADS has put together a pretty good looking headlight restoration kit using a DA, sanding discs and that kind of stuff. Check it out for yourself.