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Topic: Headlight polish (Read 754 times) previous topic - next topic

Headlight polish

In December I decided I wanted another sports car. Bought a dirt cheap 15 year old Crossfire (aka 320slk Mercedes Benz with a different body) with nearly opaque and slightly yellowed plastic headlight lenses. Bought the $18 rainex drill powered 4 stage kit, that started at 1500 grit but I hand sanded an additional 2000 grit stage, before moving to  the other stages. I would highly recommend this kit. The final sealent protection coat takes 8 hours to cure.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Headlight polish

Reply #1 –
Headlights look great. I hit our coach headlights with the body buffer and rubbing compound after wet or dry paper. Excellent job but you do need the sealant or they get cloudy in six months.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Headlight polish

Reply #2 –
Absolutely, a lot of the compounds do a great job cleaning the lenses, and give you enough compound to do multiple "cleanings"!
They do not give you enough of the sealant to do multiple coats, check that there is a good supply of sealant with the kit you buy. The sealant is necessary or the lenses will fog over within a few months.
Most kits can only get the light back up to about 80% of what the lenses were when new, so really good but not perfect, especially when you think about how much better the lights on new vehicles are.
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: Headlight polish

Reply #3 –
The sealent appeared to be very strong in the rain-ex kit.and requires gloves and an 8 hour cure to melt into the plastic. In which time any streaks are supposed to disappear. they didn't. Hopefully the Best.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Headlight polish

Reply #4 –
I was Polyglowing my FT and happened to swipe the headlights which were modestly faded. Walla. 5 coats later and they look new. No sanding. I have always used mosquito spray in the past. Love the Polyglow product lineup. I had a problem with it streaking last fall and they said it needed to be in the sunlight to dry faster between coats. they sent my a new $125 kit for free. Love honest companies.
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Headlight polish

Reply #5 –
I don't think you EVER get a brand new clear lens, but I've used this on all three of our coaches; works very well.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Headlight polish

Reply #6 –
I hit mine with the buffer and a little 3M One step.
Before I retired we buffed out  the headlights on our trucks when they came in for service. We tried all the commercial restoration products. I my observation once the plastic started clouding up its done, no matter what product we used. If one has time redo every few mos great. JMHO
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Headlight polish

Reply #7 –
I replaced my headlights and wondered if anyone knew what the light pattern should be? I remember when tire company had a target on the wall in front of the frontend aliment to adjust the lights? I tried to get them back as close to where they were before. Any help would be appreciated.
Ron
Ron Clark
Sherwood,Arkansas
1999 U 295 40 foot Build # 5550
2020 Jeep Gladiator
Motorcade # 18173
FMCA # F485593

Re: Headlight polish

Reply #8 –
Ron,

Just go to YouTube and search on "Adjusting Headlights".  It will show you how to mark on a wall (use masking tape) and aim them.  It's a good idea to aim the curb side lights a little higher to give you a good view of signage.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Headlight polish

Reply #9 –
Quote from: rclark –
I replaced my headlights and wondered if anyone knew what the light pattern should be?
Ron

https://youtu.be/GWvSWBlAwnI
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan
 

Re: Headlight polish

Reply #10 –
For those of you polishing or sanding your headlight lens:
 
Do you remove the little bumps that sit proud of the headlight surface first?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385