Headlight Lens Restorer Report

[MolaKule]

I tried the Turtle Wax Headlight Lens Restorer Kit (about $21) and I must say TW had their chemist's working overtime.

It is a multistep process with a 'clarifier' that uses aluminum oxide as the very mild abrasive as the first step.

Then a lubricant is used with two pads and four sides to remove the oxidation with each pad having two sides for subsequent steps. Then there is a sealer system for the last step.

My lenses were very oxidized and I must say it removed 75-80% of the oxidation and clarified the headlamps considerably. Plan on about 2 hours minimum of intense 'elbow'' grease.

The driver's side headlamp had the worst oxidation, but the interesting thing was that most oxidation on both lenses were located at the upper 1/4 quadrant of the lens.

 

[dubber09]

I had very good results in little time with Sylvania kit, not gonna buy the kit anymore, they sell vials of solution only much cheaper, I don't need to overpay for sandpaper and gloves.
Headlights I did were from Volvo 2013, they come out very easily and I didn't have to mask body/paint etc.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Pics please. Before and after is always helpful.
How many cars would the kit do?

Thanks in advance.

 

[AZjeff]

The left headlamp had the worst oxidation, but the interesting thing was that most oxidation on both lenses were located at the upper 1/4 quadrant of the lens.

See this all the time in Arizona. If a car is parked outside at the same place all the time the west and south facing sides will have the most damage. Headlights that have exposed lens on top will be worse on top. Our 02 Jeep came with clearcoat damage on the hood and driver side horizontal surfaces.

 

[John105]

I like Cerakote. Lasts 2-3 years. I never followed up about the lifetime warranty, though. I’ve bought 2 kits per car. 2nd set to redo.

 

[tig1]

Three years ago I cleaned my headlights with a restore kit and it helped a lot, but in the last six months I noticed them fogging up again. So I just replaced them this time two weeks ago and what a great difference. Very pleased as this was on my 2007 Fusion.

 

[MolaKule]

Pics please. Before and after is always helpful.
How many cars would the kit do?

Thanks in advance.

Sorry, already done.

I would say it could treat 8 headlamps easily.

 

[MolaKule]

Three years ago I cleaned my headlights with a restore kit and it helped a lot, but in the last six months I noticed them fogging up again. So I just replaced them this time two weeks ago and what a great difference. Very pleased as this was on my 2007 Fusion.

I am not sure one can just get the lenses by themselves for this vehicle.

Various parts houses seem to have the complete headlamp assemblies for $110.00 each so next year I may just spring for a new set.

 

[burbguy82]

I second your recommendation of TW restorererer. USed it in the past and it worked well. Recently I used the Meguires product, and the results were basically similar.

 

[tig1]

I am not sure one can just get the lenses by themselves for this vehicle.

Various parts houses seem to have the complete headlamp assemblies for $110.00 each so next year I may just spring for a new set.

I paid for the most expensive headlights Rock Auto sold. Total was $195 out the door. They included all new bulbs, but the front bumper cover, and both plastic wheel well covers had to be removed.

 

[MolaKule]

I paid for the most expensive headlights Rock Auto sold. Total was $195 out the door. They included all new bulbs, but the front bumper cover, and both plastic wheel well covers had to be removed.

I just looked at the setup and it looks like the front grill has to be removed. Two 10mm bolts hold down the top part of the headlamp assembly.

I don't see any wheel well cover interference on this one.

I found the front grill was loose on the driver's side and is missing 4 of those plastic, press fit retainer clips so I am half way there.

 

[2005jettatdi]

I get the best results with Crest Whitening Toothpaste. A rag, a dab of toothpaste, some water and elbow grease, rinse. Good for about six months.

 

[John105]

I get the best results with Crest Whitening Toothpaste. A rag, a dab of toothpaste, some water and elbow grease, rinse. Good for about six months.

I’ve used straight comet cleanser. Great results. But it’s temporary. I suppose if a kit were say $50+, now I’d care about cost vs duration. But for $16, looks brand new, and dunno the variable. My car lasts 3 years, wife’s 2. I got my car used and headlights were restored…lasted 4 years.

In 3 years it will look cloudy again

 

[Dave P.]

I've tried kits in the past and got so-so results. One headlight almost looks like the inside of the lens is oxidized also. I now use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser pads and get the same results as the $35.00 kits. One pad costs about $1.00. I've just made it part of my oil change routine; when the oil is draining I do the headlights.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I used multiple sand papers and then different compound/polish with my Porter Cable polisher I use for the cars. Used a smaller pad. When done I masked off and sprayed with UV resistant clearcoat.

One thing if you have a good clean newer lights or ones you fixed, Headlight protection film helps a lot as it adds UV protection but mostly keeps what you have from getting destroyed by the sand/rock chips that adds to it.

These are original, never garaged on a 230k+ '08 CRV. The headlight film was getting ugly and was glued on hard. PITA getting the glue off.
No before but the foggy is after wet sand.

And reference. 13 year old Sonata, 220k, sitting for many months not washed (engine went). I put the film on when it was new. The hazy you see is actually the small pits in the film from sand/rocks. Never garaged. they did get waxed when I did the car with whatever I was using.

 

[John105]

Not to overthink it, this process makes sense to me, logically, and at $16.xx, I’m ok if it needs to be redone in 2-3 years (cars are not garaged). When done with this 1/2 hour process, looks showroom new. We could split hairs and say why 3 years? It should be $10, or maybe $5. At any rate I’ve now done the job 4x over 2 cars.

https://a.co/d/6mvp3Pr

 

[walterjay]

The question now is how long will they remain clear. I have cleaned lenses to look almost new only to have them yellow in a few months.

 

[John105]

The question now is how long will they remain clear. I have cleaned lenses to look almost new only to have them yellow in a few months.

2-3 years. But I’ve only been through it once, reapplied once. I expect in another 2-3 years, I’ll have to redo it. It’s supposed to be a lifetime warranty but I never called about it. Maybe I will next time.

 

[Fordiesel69]

I have my own kit.

Bucket of hot water and a few blops dawn dish soap.
Wetsand with 600 until old clear is gone.
Westand with 800
Wetsamd with 1000
Wetsand with 1200
Wetsand with 1500
Wetsand with 2000.
Buff with foam cutting pad and rubbing compound.
Buff again with foam polishing pad and finishing compound (3d one)
Wipe with damp blue shop towel containing laquer thinner or acetone.
Wipe with a soaking wet shop towel of alcohol.
Apply a 2k clear coat of whatever brand you want.

This is permanent. 5 yrs or more.

 

[tig1]

I just looked at the setup and it looks like the front grill has to be removed. Two 10mm bolts hold down the top part of the headlamp assembly.

I don't see any wheel well cover interference on this one.

I found the front grill was loose on the driver's side and is missing 4 of those plastic, press fit retainer clips so I am half way there.

There's a third bolt at the bottom of the unit and removing the wheel well cover helps to get at it.