I have been meaning to get to this project for a long time. Hesitant about which way to go. Either replace the headlights all together or use a product that revitalizes them.
After much research and deliberation, I decided to try out the cheaper option of restoring with a product called :
3M Quick Headlight Renewal. This kit retailed for about $5 and it had a 5-star rating! The kit is complete with all you need to do 2 headlights and a step by step directions and you don’t need any power tools, unlike some other kits I researched. All you need for this one is GOOD OLD ELBOW GREASE!
3M headlight Renewal is totally AWESOME stuff!
Okay. Here we go. Our first step is to either mask off the painted areas around our headlights. But with our vehicle, it was just so much EASIER to remove the headlights with the slide of a couple of pins. So once I had them removed I took them to my workbench which was the tailgate of my truck.
Our car’s headlights come out so easily! No masking is needed.
removable headlights make this job so easy!
Then the next thing we do is gather up what we need for this project.
- a bucket of water. (I used a plastic coffee container)
- mix in some dish soap. (I put approximately 1 teaspoon in mine)
- a clean cloth to use with the soap and water.
- another container for clean water. (I used an empty clean milk jug)
- a roll of shop towels or paper towels.
- a clean MICROFIBER cloth
Now on to the project! Once I had all the items I needed for this I got started with the first headlight. I began the soap and water and the clean cloth to completely wash it off so I had a totally clean surface to work with.
Clean Coffee Can I used here I didn’t need anything too big as I was on my tailgate.
Cleaning my headlight lens of debris so we can move to the next step to sanding.
Then I began soaking the 3000 grit sandpaper that came with the kit to get it ready. Now start sanding these headlights and a yellow film will start coming off right as you start. You may have to repeat this process as I did a few times. Continuing to wet your sandpaper will get more of the yellow film off. Now, the package says it’s a five to ten-minute process but with my headlights, it may have taken me up to twenty-five to thirty minutes to do the sanding alone because while I was wetting my sandpaper more and more yellow kept coming out of my lenses.
Headlight cleaning sandpaper is best when wet! And you can”wet” it as much as you need to and it will continue to remove the haze and yellow from your headlight lens.
Our headlight lens is in need of a restoration or renewal!
Our lights are in need of attention. She is 20 years old after all.
Weather isn’t that nice to our headlights of today’s cars & trucks.
Our 300 grit sandpaper is doing an outstanding job here. and we can use it on both our lens!
Even the side marker lights took some of heat.
almost perfect just a little bit more sanding then move on to the other side.
Once I was satisfied with the first fixture I went on to the second one. I did the same steps as I did with the first one. Once they were BOTH finished I went back to the first one and did the rubbing compound with only a quarter-sized amount.
Were almost finished here with the sandpaper then all that needs to be done is wipe it off and check our work.
We have a lot work needed here or elbow grease.
Lots of haze here I cant believe we could ever see at night.
Much haze to move here I see!
I take my microfiber cloth and apply the rubbing compound in circles, spreading it evenly to help the compound to do its job throughout the headlight lens.
Now to apply the rubbing compound in a quarter size only.
Rubbing compound and a clean micro-fibre cloth to clean it up nicely.
Driver side all nice and pretty!
Both Drivers side and Passengers side all clear of haze and any other crap and reveiling a nice beauty!
While rubbing the compound with the cloth, it will bring the lens to its original beauty as if the headlights were almost new from the factory with a brilliant shine.
A fresh “New” Look
A “NEW” car look again.
