Can these headlights be restored?

[Setec Astronomy]

I did not know at the time that I needed to re-seal. I'm thinking that I need to spend a lot more time on the sanding and polishing this time and then apply a good protectant / coating afterwards.

An unprotected headlight doesn't degrade from fine to what you show in the pictures in 9 months. As Dave said, you need to make sure you have actually removed the old coating or any surface damage. IME/IMO hand sanding is fine, you just need to properly step down your paper, and then polish it until it's nice and clear.

[rpm4242]

Okay. I am going to work on them this weekend making sure it is being done properly this time. Thanks so much for your insight and recommendations. I will follow up with my results.

[crash93ssei]

Most of the store bought headlight kits really don't come with the coarse sand paper needed to really cut the oxidized factory coating and plastic enough to get to the good stuff underneath, I would also start with 400 grit and work your way up to 2000 or higher then polish out and should be much better longer lasting results after sealing them.

[driverone]

What recommendations do you have for re-sealing the headlights?

I use a durable sealant like collinite/fk-1000p on the headlights and apply it regularly. The picture in your op looks like the clearcoat on your lights have deteriorated badly. Without the protective layer of clearcoat or sealant/wax, the plastic headlight may yellow faster.

[Mask]

After sanding and polish, seal with carpro Dlux and tint it after cure.

[phish]

What kind of car is it? Might be time to throw in the towel and get some from the junk yard or ebay. I'm not a pro but it doesn't look like oxidation or UV damage that those kits are used for. Looks more like pitting in the plastic to me.

[captain detail]

Before n after headlight restorations

[rpm4242]

Hey Guys! Well, I worked on restoring the headlights on my wife's Chrysler Crossfire today. Can you believe replacement headlights are running about $600 per side on ebay?

Anyway, I did not have high hopes before starting this process, but when I was done, the results absolutely blew me away. I ended up spending about 4 hours wet-sanding both headlights using the following grits: 400,600,1000,1500,2000 and finishing with Meguiar's M105 compound using their G3500 DA Power System Tool. I am going to seal it using Optimum Opti-Lens. The before and after photos are attached. I can hardly move now and have literally wore the hide off of 3 fingers to the point of bleeding but I think it was worth it in the end. Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions.

[Setec Astronomy]

Yeah, you just had to sand through that old coating. Glad it came out so well.

[Souldetailer]

Sweet! Good job, way to stick with it. Might think about getting a DA polisher if you want to keep up the maintenance of your vehicles. The brain power is here on this site if you choose to further your knowledge. Good luck & take care.

Peace,

Darrin