Product Test: 3M Headlight Restoration kit

LearjetMinako · Sep 24, 2009

So with my new job, I gotta start driving to work at 2:30am in the morning. And naturally with alot of vehicles, my headlight lens are not the clearest. I have used scotch-bite pad and chrome polish. But its kind of murder on the fingers. So when I saw 3M made a Headlight Restoration kit, it was something that I should try. And once again, naturally YouTube.com would have something on it. Even better, its "Two Guys Garage" and they using the 3M product on a Mazda B-series truck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCDn-AYDeg4

LearjetMinako · Sep 24, 2009

The finishing results:

It took only 1 hour and the 3M kit costed less than $25 with tax from Advance Auto. The results are abusolutly amazing. If your headlamps are dull or yellowing. I extremely recommended this restoration kit. One kit does one vehicle.

The proof is in the photos:

Prep work and before shots.

Passenger headlamp is done.

See the difference.

All finished.

Now some may note that the driver side lamp is not as clear as the passenger. It is clear, it was just the worst of the two. Also, the kit only includes 1x P-8000 grit disc. Which is the 1x disc that really makes them clear. It kinda of wears out on the next lens.

Some extra steps to ensure good quality. Blow off the lens each time you replace a disc. Before using the P-8000 disc, wipe lens clean with a dampened cloth. And don't be afraid of using a little extra polish. 3M said dime size. Go with quarter or half-dollor size. Lastly, TAKE YOUR TIME. Don't rush. Go light press with the sanding and keep the disc moving back & forth across the lens.

Downey · Sep 24, 2009

nice man my g.fs mom wants me to do this to her jeep

Ranger4657 · Sep 24, 2009

how long does that last? ive used cleaner wax and a buffer before but it comes back after like a week or two.

LearjetMinako · Sep 24, 2009

Ranger4657 said:
how long does that last? ive used cleaner wax and a buffer before but it comes back after like a week or two.

I do not know. I just did it today. I would think for the climate in this area, maybe a year or two before the dulling comes back. Since thats about how long even new vehicles last before dulling occurs.

tony314 · Sep 24, 2009

Outstanding work. Looks like that kit is A-1 stuff. Might get that and use it on my wifes car soon.

ZMan · Sep 24, 2009

Looks pretty good!

Since I'm a painter, what I did for my Buick headlights was wetsand them with 1000 grit paper, and shot clearcoat on them. They look awesome, and stay that way because now they're protected.

OilPatch197 · Sep 24, 2009

But will this work on POS 2nd gen Ranger lamps? (the ULTIMATE test)

(they must have all came yellow from the factory, surely have not seen one that was clear!)

wetsand them with 1000 grit paper, and shot clearcoat on them. They look awesome, and stay that way because now they're protected.

IMO, we went backwards when we sacrificed durable GLASS lenses for fashion plastic!

4x4junkie · Sep 24, 2009

Does that kit give you anything to coat the lenses with afterward? I ask only because the factory puts some kind of coating on them when new, which invariably lasts anywhere from 5-8 years, then it weathers through. Subsequent polishings afterward never last more than 3-6 months before they get noticeably hazy again (at least out here in the desert southwest anyway)

pocket-rocket · Sep 24, 2009

I use the Meguiar's PlastX with my 6" buffer and follow up with clear coat.

OilPatch197 · Sep 24, 2009

I ask only because the factory puts some kind of coating on them

We call it a Hard coat, it is basically a baked-cured on clear coat(applied by robot sprayers) then you have lexan, and on specific vehicles have a anti-haze coating on the back.

LearjetMinako · Sep 24, 2009

4x4junkie said:
Does that kit give you anything to coat the lenses with afterward? I ask only because the factory puts some kind of coating on them when new, which invariably lasts anywhere from 5-8 years, then it weathers through. Subsequent polishings afterward never last more than 3-6 months before they get noticeably hazy again (at least out here in the desert southwest anyway)

The last step is to apply a polish with the foam disc. The polish agent may contain some kind of protective, but I'm not 100% on that. If further protection is something you want, most auto parts store sell clear coat paint in a spray can.

I'm going to give the product a try 'as is'. And see how long they do last. If they dull again shortly, I will do it again, but with clear coat as the last step. I'm also going to try the 3M kit on my dad's Buick Regal. His headlamps have a yellowing to them and can be much improved after the restoration.

triumphrider-1 · Sep 24, 2009

The last time I polished mine I also waxed them, worked great.

4x4junkie · Sep 24, 2009

Yeah, I tried clear-coating mine, didn't do anything to stop the haze (the clearcoat itself would then get hazy lol). Then it started flaking off some as well.

OilPatch197 said:
We call it a Hard coat, it is basically a baked-cured on clear coat(applied by robot sprayers) then you have lexan, and on specific vehicles have a anti-haze coating on the back.

Is this "Hard Coat" stuff available to the public anywhere? I have no problem popping the lens apart and "baking" it in an oven at low temp if that's what's needed to make 'em exactly like new again

OilPatch197 · Sep 24, 2009

Is this "Hard Coat" stuff available to the public anywhere?

As far as I know, it comes in 55 gallon drums, from a optical coatings chemical specialist, probably a proprietary trade secret, I would say no. :sad:

Product Test: 3M Headlight Restoration kit

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