WM offers lens polishing -- good deal?
- Thread starter Benzadmiral
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Originally Posted By: Vikas
If you screw up with acrylic floor polish, is there something which will take it off *safely*?
Diluted ammonia will take it off.
You'd have to be a genius to screw this stuff up. Put some onto a paper towel, and wipe in a straight line across the headlight. Don't buff, don't wipe off, just apply in straight lines. Do a second coat immediately after the first to fill in any high spots.
If you screw up with acrylic floor polish, is there something which will take it off *safely*?
Diluted ammonia will take it off.
You'd have to be a genius to screw this stuff up. Put some onto a paper towel, and wipe in a straight line across the headlight. Don't buff, don't wipe off, just apply in straight lines. Do a second coat immediately after the first to fill in any high spots.
Originally Posted By: truav8r
Originally Posted By: c502cid
With any of the kits mentioned above, how long until the fogging on the lenses comes back?
I used the CV kit on my Jetta a couple years ago. Looked great at first, but the haze/yellowing came back within 18 months.
IMO, 18 months doesn't sound too bad.
I know it says lifetime but I take that with a grain of salt. IIRC, 97tbird said his were looking like they might need another treatment, but it had been well over a year. I haven't seen my daughters car in a while but, last time I did, they didn't look quite as good as when I did it, still good though and nowhere near what they were before. Not bad for $16.95.
Be interested in how the Xpel film holds up for you.
Originally Posted By: c502cid
With any of the kits mentioned above, how long until the fogging on the lenses comes back?
I used the CV kit on my Jetta a couple years ago. Looked great at first, but the haze/yellowing came back within 18 months.
IMO, 18 months doesn't sound too bad.
Be interested in how the Xpel film holds up for you.
Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
There have been a lot of these "Headlight Hero" places popping up lately around here, but they are rarely open when I can get to 'em. Last Sunday Miss Linda dragged me to Walmart, and I spotted a poster for their headlight lens polishing service at the Tire & Lube Express. Anybody have this done, and how was it, and how expensive?
(Yeah, I know I could do it myself, but I don't have a buffer or any place to plug it in that'll reach the car out by the curb at my housing project. (Oops, meant my apartment complex.)
Don't waste your time or money. Buy a can of Turtle Wax rubbing compound for less than $3 and do it yourself. It clears the lenses right up! I did it on my car in less than 15 minutes.
There have been a lot of these "Headlight Hero" places popping up lately around here, but they are rarely open when I can get to 'em. Last Sunday Miss Linda dragged me to Walmart, and I spotted a poster for their headlight lens polishing service at the Tire & Lube Express. Anybody have this done, and how was it, and how expensive?
(Yeah, I know I could do it myself, but I don't have a buffer or any place to plug it in that'll reach the car out by the curb at my housing project. (Oops, meant my apartment complex.)
Don't waste your time or money. Buy a can of Turtle Wax rubbing compound for less than $3 and do it yourself. It clears the lenses right up! I did it on my car in less than 15 minutes.
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Originally Posted By: sciphi
You can do just as good a job using elbow grease. It does take longer, though!
I have a bottle of PlastX and it works rather well by hand; I'm afraid of using sand paper of any sort on anything not metal.
You can do just as good a job using elbow grease. It does take longer, though!
I have a bottle of PlastX and it works rather well by hand; I'm afraid of using sand paper of any sort on anything not metal.
So far I've used the initial step of the Turtle Wax, the "clarifying compound" I think it's called -- a creamy stuff that looks like hand lotion. It cleared the plastic lenses up pretty well by itself, though remember, mine were nowhere near yellowed or opaque. The kit comes with some rubbing pads to be used with the next steps, and a final gloss/protector. maybe I'll get to it this weekend.
The prices of these kits are dropping a lot. I recently got an email from amazon.com with the newest offers.
I've never used the kits though. 15 min per headlight with fine sandpaper and a bucket of water, a little rubbing compound, and the PlastX to finish it off.
Some things are easier done than said.
I've never used the kits though. 15 min per headlight with fine sandpaper and a bucket of water, a little rubbing compound, and the PlastX to finish it off.
Some things are easier done than said.
I notice PepBoys is now offering lens polishing for only $49.99 with coupon
I'd rather do it myself if my lights ever got nasty. Right now they have a few scratches, but nothing to polish out yet.
Originally Posted By: JustinH
Keep a coat of wax on your good headlights guys. That keeps the UV from turning them yellow.
That is why a good amount of cars with yellow headlights are out in Florida.
Keep a coat of wax on your good headlights guys. That keeps the UV from turning them yellow.
That is why a good amount of cars with yellow headlights are out in Florida.
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10 minutes of PlastX per lens will be just fine.
Originally Posted By: c502cid
With any of the kits mentioned above, how long until the fogging on the lenses comes back?
It's hard to say, all depends on the quality of plastic the vehicle manufacturers use, and how they've "treated" the plastic....but yea, as someone pointed out, keep the head lights waxed and that should help with the UV rays hazing up the lights.
Walmart does not "guarantee" their head light cleaning at all, other than their 90 day/3000 mile "TLE Warranty" for Parts and Service...but yea, I asked one of the techs what the typical life span of the product is, how often they have to be cleaned, and obviously, couldn't give an answer, he said it just varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. He did say the Kia and Hyundais are about the worst for the haze.....likely due to low cost plastics....
I do know if you get the cleaning done in T&LE most techs will ask you if you are satisfied with the cleaning before the send the order through....since they is only a limited waranty.
With any of the kits mentioned above, how long until the fogging on the lenses comes back?
It's hard to say, all depends on the quality of plastic the vehicle manufacturers use, and how they've "treated" the plastic....but yea, as someone pointed out, keep the head lights waxed and that should help with the UV rays hazing up the lights.
Walmart does not "guarantee" their head light cleaning at all, other than their 90 day/3000 mile "TLE Warranty" for Parts and Service...but yea, I asked one of the techs what the typical life span of the product is, how often they have to be cleaned, and obviously, couldn't give an answer, he said it just varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. He did say the Kia and Hyundais are about the worst for the haze.....likely due to low cost plastics....
I do know if you get the cleaning done in T&LE most techs will ask you if you are satisfied with the cleaning before the send the order through....since they is only a limited waranty.
Update,
I finally got around to doing the headlights, since the weather finally got around to being tolerable. I started over by washing the headlights, and followed the instructions. The final protective coat, I think, did more to make the lenses gleam than the polishing did. It looks good. I'm glad I didn't buy the more expensive kit or have Walmart do it.
I finally got around to doing the headlights, since the weather finally got around to being tolerable. I started over by washing the headlights, and followed the instructions. The final protective coat, I think, did more to make the lenses gleam than the polishing did. It looks good. I'm glad I didn't buy the more expensive kit or have Walmart do it.
anyone try using the 303 protectant on their lights? supposed to have good UV protection. I imagine you can spray once a month and you'd be good.
fiddler
fiddler
Originally Posted By: nstuck
we just started offering this service at my shop. i volunteered my truck as a donor for the "training" class the kit manufacturer came out and did. my headlights were nasty, yellow and cloudy. they now look brand new. for the price we charge for the service, you couldn't go out and buy the materials needed on your own. the final step (which most DIY kits do not include) is a polycarbonate spray that basically puts a fresh plastic layer on the headlights. this is really what makes the difference and makes the lights look brand new again. my headlights now look great and my lights shine much further at night.
Was it BG?
we just started offering this service at my shop. i volunteered my truck as a donor for the "training" class the kit manufacturer came out and did. my headlights were nasty, yellow and cloudy. they now look brand new. for the price we charge for the service, you couldn't go out and buy the materials needed on your own. the final step (which most DIY kits do not include) is a polycarbonate spray that basically puts a fresh plastic layer on the headlights. this is really what makes the difference and makes the lights look brand new again. my headlights now look great and my lights shine much further at night.
Was it BG?
The 303 is great UV protection, I have been using it for years with no disapointment.
But it is easily washed off with rain/water. Thus must be applied often.
I've seen the headlight cleaning done with something as simple as TOOTH PASTE....lol. Go to youtube or metacafe, you will find all sorts of videos
One guy got his real good......he even went as far as taping off the headlight so the tooth paste would not splatter/run onto the vehicle's metal finish, and they looked great. Buffed it on with simple tooth paste, then wiped it clean with a microfiber cloth
But yea, I too have heard the best bet is to keep a good wax on the lenses.
BTW, yay for H6054 lenses
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But yea, I too have heard the best bet is to keep a good wax on the lenses.
BTW, yay for H6054 lenses
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