Jump to content

Headlight restauration


CampariO

Recommended Posts

The headlights of my 10yo Mazda 2 went yellow and blind over the years. Tried the toothpaste polishing, which left me with 2 limp arms and 2 blind headlights.

There are some sprays on the market but I read that you could use Baygon cockroach spray as well. Tried this, the result lasted a day or so.

When replacing a bulb I enquired about new complete sets of headlights and was quoted 6400 Baht for the pair. As alternativ they offered me to polish the plastic for 800 which would be good for 6 month or so.

Thought they would come up with the toothpaste method, but they sanded them down first and then poured some of this restoration liquid into an evaporator (with some water added, I believe). 

37655955fy.jpg

After sanding I thought, now the lights will be beyond repair, but when vaping the stuff at a close distance, they turned magically clear.

37655957ay.jpg

37655954eu.jpg

 

Looks like new.

37655956gv.jpg

If this last for a while than this is a good /cheaper alternative for replacing the hole lights, as new lights would become blind after a few years again.

Edited by CampariO
  • Like 2
  • Great Info 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Never heard about this, but Ebay turned up with this when searching "headlight restoration kit"

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=headlight restore kits&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-153677-346401-4&mkcid=2&keyword=&crlp=307364301294_&MT_ID=&geo_id=&rlsatarget=dsa-19959388920&adpos=1t1&device=m&loc=1007697&poi=&abcId=&cmpgn=1615587334&sitelnk=&test=LauraTest&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrpyVjICA5wIVTHRgCh0mDwPgEAAYASAAEgJAt_D_BwE

 

And Youtube turned up with a few as well...

Well, makes me feel old.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My mum's 20yo Toyota Yaris failed it's MOT recently for this very reason.Cost £30 to get them fixed & they're just like new but I'm not sure what they used.

I know you get perspex polishing kits for aircraft which work well but require lots of elbow grease.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Myths & Facts About Headlight Restoration

Are your headlights are looking discoloured and crusty? It is more than likely that the factory protective
UV coat is degrading.

Modern headlights, post 1995 are made from Polycarbonate. They are coated in a specific clear coat
sealant to protect the polycarbonate lens from UV damage. Unfortunately in hotter climates like
Queensland, the protective coat degrades over time and needs to be replaced correctly.

There are many rumours around for ‘quick fix’ repairs on your headlights. Below are a few you may have
heard:

  • The most common is the myth that toothpaste is good for cleaning headlights. The truth is this
    method was used in the days of glass headlights, which toothpaste does actually clean without
    damaging. The fact is toothpaste abrasive, a minty one at that. You should not rub any abrasives on
    your headlights as you are wearing down the much needed sealant that protects the polycarbonate
    lens.
  • Others may have also heard of another quick fix by spraying mosquito repellent on the headlights.
    The oils in the repellent give the illusion the lights are a tad clearer by oiling up the crusty degraded
    factory UV protective coat. This method only lasts a couple days at most and some repellants
    can actually eat into the plastic rendering them a lot harder to repair back to as new.
  • Another method many mechanics and car detailers use is to sand the old degrading
    protective coat off and polishing the bare polycarbonate, this only exposes the headlight to UV
    damage and in most cases only lasts a few months before discolouring.
  • Using ‘off the shelf’ DIY headlight restoration kits also leaves the headlight exposed to the elements
    as most of them do not come with a protective sealant. With no protective sealant the headlights
    will discolour through the thickness of the lens and develop little cracks known as crazing.
  • This also applies with solvent based polishes that are wiped on the headlights. The chemicals in the
    liquid slightly melt the outer surface of the headlight, again leaving the headlight without adequate UV
    protection against the harsh Queensland sun.

All the repair methods mentioned above are a temporary fix and can potentially damage your headlights
permanently. If a quality UV clear coat sealant was not necessary, why would all vehicle manufacturers
apply a protective coat to every single vehicle that rolls off the production line.

https://www.headlightrestore.com.au/blog/uncategorized/myths-facts-about-headlight-restoration/

 

  • Great Info 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have heard about this issue about them going dull over time. I’m on my 4th new vehicle since 1998, so I guess I’ve never kept one long enough to have that problem. Just bought out the lease on my 2015 Accord, plan on keeping it until I’m 65! Will be nice to go years without a car payment, took me decades and a few recessions to realize new cars really  eat into the budget. Only issue is as I age, I might find the 6 speed tranny a pain in the arse and want an automatic. Oh well, we shall see....

 

9FF2B1FA-0FC6-4ECF-854D-C8DA8FDF5F97.jpeg

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Golfingboy said:

I might find the 6 speed tranny a pain in the arse and want an automatic.

Make sure you're aware of the reliability problems associated with the Continuously Variable Transmissions, which seem to be rapidly replacing regular auto trans.  I drove a brand new rental for about 5 months before I bought my new car last year, and in that time the CVT started making strange noises.  The car I bought thankfully has a manual transmission (6-speed, a Civic Si).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 minutes ago, Rompho Ray said:

Make sure you're aware of the reliability problems associated with the Continuously Variable Transmissions, which seem to be rapidly replacing regular auto trans.  I drove a brand new rental for about 5 months before I bought my new car last year, and in that time the CVT started making strange noises.  The car I bought thankfully has a manual transmission (6-speed, a Civic Si).

Oh I remember. Still in love with it? They’re fun to drive

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Golfingboy said:

Oh I remember. Still in love with it? They’re fun to drive

It's a blast.  Quick acceleration, engine begs for revs, corners flat, stops on a dime.  Pretty damn good stereo, moonroof just perfect for the mid-70sF we're getting this week.  And 40MPG to boot.

I affectionately refer to it as "The Silver Bullet".

OFAB.jpg

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Rompho Ray said:

It's a blast.  Quick acceleration, engine begs for revs, corners flat, stops on a dime.  Pretty damn good stereo, moonroof just perfect for the mid-70sF we're getting this week.  And 40MPG to boot.

I affectionately refer to it as "The Silver Bullet".

OFAB.jpg

She’s nice. It’s nice to have those extra horses but it makes me lazy. Find myself leaving it in 1st or 2nd much longer in parking lots or residential areas when I know I have to stop soon anyway. They’re nicely spaced, I think redline is about 62mph in 2nd, and 95 in 3rd. Even with redline around 6800, it’s rare I push mine over 4500. 4 cylinders yes, but much better than my 98 Sunfire 115 HP. That one I found myself even using 3rd gear in parking lots it had no balls

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Golfingboy said:

She’s nice. It’s nice to have those extra horses but it makes me lazy...etc.

I agree, for practical purposes having the extra balls makes life easier.  Winding that turbo up is a pleasure, the extra pull is actually pretty impressive for the tiny mill that it is. 

Fortunately, most of the time I spend driving it is at or near highway speed.  Despite the fact that it's country highway, I work early, so mostly avoid the rush.  That gives me plenty of opportunity to drive it at speed, which is very pleasant.

Very good car, and at an MSRP of around US$25K, hard to beat for VFM.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/14/2020 at 4:07 AM, Rompho Ray said:

Make sure you're aware of the reliability problems associated with the Continuously Variable Transmissions, which seem to be rapidly replacing regular auto trans.  I drove a brand new rental for about 5 months before I bought my new car last year, and in that time the CVT started making strange noises.  The car I bought thankfully has a manual transmission (6-speed, a Civic Si).

Have to agree with you on the CVT issues, they are awful and when you put your foot down, they are damn noisy as the transmission tries to catch up with the engine revs. Although some manufacturers have tried to alleviate the noise problem by putting in pseudo gear stepping, but they are still rubbish.
Rode in a friends wife’s new Nissan the other day and when he accelerated hard, I looked at him and he looked at me and said “I know, it’s shite isn’t it”, I simply nodded. He’s had it back in the dealership twice with various transmission problems in the passed 3 months, which doesn’t bode well.

I’ve always driven automatics in one form or another and wouldn’t ever have a manual, mainly because I’m lazy and also the wife’s UK license only covers automatics. 
We have a petrol V8 with traditional auto and flappy paddles, a diesel with traditional automatic gearbox which can be switched via the gear selector to manual changes via the + or - system and another petrol with an 8 speed Dual Clutch Transmission, also with flappy paddles and I love them all. 

Edited by KhunDon
  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, KhunDon said:

Have to agree with you on the CVT issues, they are awful

It's a more than 50 y old technology invented by DAF (Holland) and called Variomatic in those days. Some also called it the"rubber band transmission"

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variomatic

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/DAF_600

images.jpeg-1.jpg

I remember the screeching noice when they accelerated.  Was never a great succes, but in those days it was handy for people that were to dumb to manage 3 pedals and a gearstick.

I guess nowadays they added some software and computer chip ?

 

  • Like 3
  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Thai Spice said:

It's a more than 50 y old technology invented by DAF (Holland) and called Variomatic in those days. Some also called it the"rubber band transmission"

I guess nowadays they added some software and computer chip ?

Basically what my ride-on lawnmower uses but no computer chip.

 

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

@Campairo

My new Beast II ( one year old ) ... one headlight went kinda dingy yellow ... I tried everything I could find on youtube to get the headlight normal again ... but none of these tips/techniques worked - at least when I tried them ......

So, I did what you did and took it to a guy that performed the same "magic" on the headlight -- looks new -- I was surprised it turned out so good  -- but, the guy told me that it would only last 1 year or so ...

Prior to that I went to the dealer and they wanted 9,500 baht for a new headlight or I could buy a new cover ( I think - I know nothing about vehicles ) for 4,000 ..... I passed on that idea ... I will wait and see how long this technique lasts

Edited by code_slayer_bkk
  • Like 2
  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

21 hours ago, bob lt said:

Only one year old but not considered a warranty issue?  :default_cry:

That is what I thought as well .... I mentioned the warranty to them and they told me I had to take back to the dealer I bought the vehicle from ... I know bullshit .. plus, the dealer is in BKK where I bought the vehicle and I was in the deep South at my house there ... I forgot to mention to the dealer when I was in BKK having it last serviced

It is ok ... I think I spent 500 or 600 baht to have done ... well worth it compared to the prices I was quoted for a new one ....

Guess I will cross this bridge again ... when it turns dingy yellow again ...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

43 minutes ago, code_slayer_bkk said:

That is what I thought as well .... I mentioned the warranty to them and they told me I had to take back to the dealer I bought the vehicle from ... I know bullshit .. plus, the dealer is in BKK where I bought the vehicle and I was in the deep South at my house there ... I forgot to mention to the dealer when I was in BKK having it last serviced

It is ok ... I think I spent 500 or 600 baht to have done ... well worth it compared to the prices I was quoted for a new one ....

Guess I will cross this bridge again ... when it turns dingy yellow again ...

And then they'll tell you the warranty was invalidated by the aftermarket fix. :default_fing23:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I polished the headlights on a mates VW Passat that I borrowed for a few weeks, I used Hob cleaner, a liquid abrasive for cleaning Halogen Hobs, it worked a treat and they were like brand new. The coating that's already been mentioned is UV resistant Lacquer, Halfords sell it's own brand for £7.49

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/paints-body-repair/car-spray-paints/halfords-clear-lacquer-500ml

Edited by bexwell
Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...