Finally, successful headlamp restoration.

Tried a 'kit' (scotch) - and the results left my lights little better than before. Now that may just be not spending enough time doing the job, and I am an impatient guy! Not satisfied, and still wanting crystal clear headlamps, by good fortune, this month's Porsche and 911 world mag had an article. So i got the same products as them. First I hand sanded using wet and dry paper, using 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500 I spend around 5-10 minutes on each. With no experience it's very hard to know how long to spend on each paper. Periodically wiped them down and dried. This is important since when they are wet the look clear. After drying they are milky! So after about 30 minutes doing that, I used a 'mirka foam pad' I also bought a hand sanding thing, velcro backed. This was equivalent to 4000 paper. Spent about 10 mins with that. Washed and dried again. By this stage the lamps were significantly better. Almost good enough. Final stages was paint cutting compound. Article suggested Concepts range S3 Gold, S17+, S40. On ebay I found a package deal supplying S3 Gold, S30, and S40. Also came with foam pads. I had a backing thing left over from the crappy Scotch Kit that was the same size, it fits into my drill. Put velcro foam pad on drill, wet lamp a little, then apply some paste to the pad. not too much otherwise it will spin everywhere!! Spent about 10 minutes on each of the three compounds. Wash and dry once more. Then finally 2 coats of some UV protection stuff. All the stuff was from eBay. Total cost maybe about $150. You could do it cheaper probably. But followed the article. There's enough stuff left over to do maybe 3+ more cars. Took maybe 1.5 hours to do one head lamp 100% happy with results. After this first good result, the only thing I would have changed is maybe have started on say 1000 sand paper, and spent longer on the early stage. It really depends how scratched your lenses are. In a few places I can still see some pitting, but it's hard to spot. there are also a couple of really small scratches, about 2mm long. Again, hard to spot. Need to spend more time with the course sand paper to get these out. Keep rubbing until they are gone! Some pics and links follow;

1 this is 'before'. In fact my results after using a 'kit'. 2 mid stage. Using the Mirka 4000 foam pad 3 all done! old and new 4 sorry looking lamp. one more to do 5 Really happy with results

I am happy with the results, but with more time and patients, I think it can be even better. Good for first effort

Mirka Abralon 150mm Discs (2 Discs) Abralon is a unique multi-functional patented sanding material developed for the flexible sanding of both smooth and profiled surfaces. Abralon� creates a smooth sanding pattern on angled surfaces and edges, while minimizing the risk of pressure marks. Abralon� is especially suitable for use in the automotive and marine industries. The flexible weave allows water and air to pass freely, making the product suitable for both dry and wet sanding, either by machine or hand. Abralon� is also suitable for the finishing and pre-polishing of gelcoat, SMC, glass reinforced plastic (GRP), lacquers, etc. Coarser grits are recommended for – surface preparation of composite body parts – fine sanding of the body surfaces before primer and lacquer etc. Finer grits are suitable for – smoothing of primers and bottom lacquers – preparation of surfaces between blending – sanding of pot marked surfaces – preparation of the top coat before polishing. ---- 6" Velcro Rubbing Down Block Made in soft pu plastic for an ergonomic grip to follow the contours of the bodywork. A very simple easy tool to use, that saves trying to flat with just your hand, where you can't help but end up with high and low spots. ---- Scholl Concepts S3 Gold 250g S3 Edition Gold is a single stage, high performance cutting compound that can remove more serious defects in seconds – oxidization and grit P1500 sanding marks. When worked fully with little pressure at the end of the buffing cycle, it will finish to an incredible high gloss. This high performance cutting compound has been designed specifically for paint finishing work on scratch resistant surfaces, including UV cured paints. It is recommended for nearly all paint finishing applications on fresh paints. Thanks to iPT (intelligent Powder Technology), which is based on high purity aluminium oxide, you can now remove imperfections in the top coat even quicker and easier than before. Users benefit from the high cut, the brilliant mirror gloss and the easy handling of this impressive compound. With S3 Edition Gold there is virtually no dust contamination and it won't stick to paint, even on hot surfaces. Free of silicone, wax and toxic solvents. Suitable for conventional and scratch-resistant paintwork, used and fresh paint, and for machine (Rotary 1500-2000 RPM or Orbital 2000-10000 RPM) or hand application (click on application advice below). S3 Edition Gold is also ideal for paint finishing applications on polycarbonate and wood. Cut: Extra Heavy (5/6) Gloss: High (4/6) Sanding Paper: P1500 Scholl Concepts S17+ 250g Scholl Concepts S17+ high performance compound is a fast and easy one-step, multi-purpose compound that gives outstanding results and a brilliant high gloss finish. It is suitable for use on scratched, freshly painted or badly weathered paintwork and can quickly and effortlessly remove deep scratches and P1500 grit sanding marks. When using S17+, very little compound is needed on the pad and dust production is minimal, whilst the cut achieved is maximum! Users benefit from easy handling, high cut, optimal anti-hologram properties and a guaranteed rich, deep long-lasting shine. S17+ is a silicone-free, universal cutting compound suitable for conventional and scratch-resistant paints, freshly painted or dull and badly weathered, and light to heavily scratched paintwork. Intelligent microscopic abrasive particles based on aluminium oxide increase speed (cut) significantly and guarantee a brilliant high gloss finish. S17+ can be applied by Rotary (1000-2000 RPM) or Orbital (2000-10000 RPM) machine polishers or by hand. Apply S17+ compound sparingly as a little goes a long way. Cut: Heavy (4/6) Gloss: High (4/6) Sanding Paper: P1500 Scholl Concepts S40 250g Scholl Concepts S40 is the finest of the Scholl Concepts compounds based on a highly refined aluminium oxide. A microfine Nano-Compound, it can remove light defects such as 5000 grit sanding marks, fine microscratches, swirl marks and holograms and is recommended for dark car paints - scratch-resistant or conventional. The extremely fine nano-particles guarantee an outstanding final finish with an unmatched deep gloss. Cut and gloss levels can be regulated using different polishing pads (see below for recommendations). Silicone free, it is suitable for use on fresh or used paintwork and with rotary (1000-2000 RPM) or dual action (2000-10000 RPM) machine polishers. Cut: Microfine Gloss: Extreme Sanding Paper: P5000 Set Includes 1 x Flexipads Cutting Pad 4” 100mm 1 x Flexipads Polishing Pad 4” 100mm 1 x Flexipads Finishing Pad 4” 100mm 1 x Flexipads 3” Backing Plate

Great job.

Glad yours worked because my attempt was a total failure. Pretty sure I ruined my Litronics. Used the RainX and 3M kits with zero success. Hoping a professional place can fix them.

use my method - I am a total amateur and it worked fine. basically all there is to it is working from a 'course' paper (say 1000) through finer papers, then to cutting compounds they use for paint (the ones I listed for example). I contemplated spending �1800 on new lights..... this was no effort or technical challenge, just about a couple of hours don't despair!

Nice work!

Good work, they came out great!

The sylvania kit is by far the best. You have to paint the lenses with a clear coat as a final step to make the lens really clear. You can use minwax spar varnish diluted 1 to 1 with mineral spirts as a clear coat after you have done progressive wet sanding.