This is the one i used , youll need a powered drill for it . any kits you get that dont involve sanding are NOT going to work so dont waste your money . you need to sand down the top "yellow" layer , then buff and polish the underlayer and it will literally look like brand new headlights.
I used these on my 2010 M3 and you could swear they were brand new headlights. it lasts about 2 years or so before you have to re-do them.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-39195-Headlight-Restoration-Heavy-Duty/dp/B08745K56G
If you want to do it yourself, get the 3M Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit. I've used it a couple of times and it's always resulted in brand new looking headlights.
I used the 3M Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit. It's not quite perfect but it's much better than it was; can't tell if what's left is inside the housing or not. If it's not inside, I think I could probably do better if I had fully charged my drill lol.
I didn't think to get a before shot. But I figured positive results for this might be relevant for a subreddit filled with mostly older cars with plastic headlights.
Also, I used a ~900 RPM drill, which worked fine despite the recommendation of I think 1200-1500. I'm sure that'd be easier/faster though.
I've used the kits they sell for restoring car headlights. Worked great.
these things work great:
They come with a sealer so they don't turn dull again in 6 months.
Mine were super cloudy. Sunday I just used a 3M headlight restore kit. You need your own drill. It took me over an hour for 1 headlight and it is painful on your arm. Not fun to do. The inside pointed corner has to be done by hand with the sanding pads as the drill pad wont fit. The drill fits everywhere else without hitting your paint.
But worked perfectly to make it look clear again like new.
It took 1 kit per headlight as I went over it a lot and used almost every pad. So you need to buy 2 kits.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-39195-Headlight-Restoration-Heavy-Duty/dp/B08745K56G
Thanks!
I used the 3M kit (purchased from Amazon). I actually wet-sanded the entire time, the instructions don't specifically say to, but I did. I did 5 passes per headlight on the 500 grit, 4 passes on the 800 grit, and then it was 3 to 4 passes on the 3000 grit. I then applied the clear coat that's supplied, from top to bottom, waited 15 minutes, and applied the second coat.
Compared to what they were, I think they turned out fantastic for $16. Beats $100 for housings!
The 3M kit is great and easy to use. Each headlight takes 20-30 minutes to do. Make sure you also grab auto paint tape to mask off areas around it for paint safety.
3M 39195 Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit, Easy Heavy-Duty Restoration https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08745K56G/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_SFA785D4WME2C6EATX8S
3M 39195 Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit, Easy Heavy-Duty Restoration https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08745K56G/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_PDM5NPEWKDEZ02VGBQ95?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
This one worked great for me. Comes with different grits of sandpaper, tape, and clear coat. It says drill required, but I just used my hands to sand and it did the job perfect. Even comes with a step by step walk through
Yeah they are super expensive, that's why I decided to do it again.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08745K56G/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_MMJ8V06TH6WEJ122QM1D?psc=1
That's the kit I used. I had to use all sanding disks that came with the kit, mine were really bad tho.
Clearcoat on the wheels is failing. You could try to reseal them by removing all of the loose clearcoat and scuffing them up with a scotchbrite pad then reapplying clearcoat, but you could also make it look worse if you don't do a good job.
Get this for the headlights and follow the directions. https://www.amazon.com/3M-39195-Headlight-Restoration-Heavy-Duty/dp/B08745K56G/ref=sr\_1\_5?crid=175UR0Y3RW0W0&keywords=3m%2Bheadlight%2Brestoration%2Bkit&qid=1643814137&sprefix=3m%2Bhead%2Caps%2C199&sr=8-5&th=1
Thanks! And no, polisher is definitely not a requirement! I used a kit from 3M that attaches to the drill(3M 39195 Ultra Headlight... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08745K56G?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share). It has a full instruction but basically: 1. Clear and tape the headlight 2. Use 500 grit disc until yellow haze is gone 3. Move to a 800 disc (Make sure that the haze is even while sanding) 4. Use soap & water to damp the headlight and the 3000 grit disc 5. With 3000 disc polish it and make sure it stays wet! 6. Clean the headlights and apply the clear coat 7.(optional) use ceramic coating for more protection and shine
Thats simply it, the kit has detailed instructions in it! i hope this answers your question!
Take a look at the headlights and see if they are foggy/etched/yellowing, instead of clear. It's very likely that they are.
If so, you can buy a headlight restoration kit. There are lots of them out there, but whatever you get, make sure it has a headlight sealant because otherwise the lenses will just yellow again. That'll be a big help in improving your visibility - I did this to my 2002 and was amazed at the difference.
It'll probably take 15-30 minutes per headlight, depending on how bad they are. I believe I used this kit, but I don't know much about what kits are available so you don't have to take my advice on that one.
You can buy a brighter halogen bulb (don't buy an LED bulb, the reflector housing on these aren't designed for LED lights), but you'll end up with a shorter headlight life. Clean up your lenses with a restoration kit, then see if that's sufficient for you.
Lol apparently not. It’s dusk/dawn and you can’t even tell your lights are on until you see a reflective surface. And traffic obviously couldn’t see you.
I’ll just leave this here for ya
3M 39195 Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit, Easy Heavy-Duty Restoration https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08745K56G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_EKPRJ9YSHVSZJ1K9NKKQ?psc=1
Polish your lenses and put good halogens in there. Don't be a tool.
3M has a great kit. All you need is a drill. And something to clear coat after. I've tried meguiars spray headlight clear coat and didn't like it. Had decent results with 3Ms Headlight clear coat wipes.
You essentially sand the headlights with a low grit then work your way up to remove fine scratches. Then use the rubbing compound to polish. Then clear coat. Instructions and everything you need are in the kit. Plenty of YouTube videos, but just use basic sanding techniques and you should be good!
Source: I've done my own, they might even be posted on here. Also ran a side hustle doing headlights for a while.
Edit: actually they sell it all in one kit now for a better price (wipes + restoration kit). Linked below!
Did you apply some form of clearcoat? The 3m kit comes with clear coat wipes that make it really easy to put a clean even layer of clearcoat after you restored the headlights. Mine still look great after a year. Here the kit I used. LINK
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08745K56G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They also sell just the clear coat wipes as well if you don't need the entire kit and just wet sand what you have. I did it about 7-8 months ago and they still look as good as the day I did them. Done it to 3 vehicles already.
Milky headlight restoration kit:
https://www.amazon.com/3M-39195-Headlight-Restoration-Heavy-Duty/dp/B08745K56G/
Headlights (halogen):
https://www.amazon.com/SYLVANIA-XtraVision-Halogen-Headlight-Contains/dp/B0012UK3M2/
Allow me to unshit the link further for you:
Allow me to unshit your link for you:
https://www.amazon.com/3M-39195-Headlight-Restoration-Heavy-Duty/dp/B08745K56G
I recommend using [this one](3M39195UltraHeadlightRestorationsmile.amazon.com/dp/B08745K56G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_QAZYCAN5331RV3CKWGN5?psc=1)
Not near as good as 3M’s kit. I have used both. With this you will get them looking perfect.
3M Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit
I used it on my '00 Celica, and it worked like a dream. I imagine since your headlights are rough, sanding would help. The kit comes with 500, 800, and 3000 Grit sandpaper. All you really need is a household drill.
Looks good but do this
No sorry, $15.98. It’s a 3M Kit , comes with a drill attachment. 45-1hr. My headlights looks way better. Probably could have even sanded them more but it was my first time.
‘08 4Runner
3M Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08745K56G/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_MMJ8V06TH6WEJ122QM1D?psc=1
3M 39195 Ultra Headlight... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08745K56G?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
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3M 39195 Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit, Easy He… | $17.82 | $17.82 | 4.5/5.0 |
^Item Info | Bot Info | Trigger
3M 39195 Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit, Easy Heavy-Duty Restoration https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08745K56G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_4B0EP7VJHF8H8PHRTNS6
This was my first time so I just used this 3M kit:
3M 39195 Ultra Headlight... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08745K56G?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I used this 3M kit and they came out crystal clear.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-39195-Headlight-Restoration-Heavy-Duty/dp/B08745K56G/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08745K56G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_D644Z9T76YCY082AFXZ0
Easier than hand and i get great results with my battery drill
I used this kit from 3m, the sanding took about 20 per headlight id say and was super easy to do.
In a few days I’m going to add some clear vinyl to protect them and so I never have to do it again lol
Everyone, use this. It even comes with clearcoat wipes to seal it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08745K56G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_jFXcGbZJWD3M5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 check out this headlight resto kit i have a 02 aswell and just restored them a week ago. Looks like a brand new car and took 45 mins.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08745K56G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
For anyone that wants a really good kit, here ya go. Just have a drill to do the work.
Pro-tip: everything after the ID is unneeded.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-39195-Headlight-Restoration-Heavy-Duty/dp/B08745K56G/
In general you don't need anything after a ?
in a URL.