20 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHHeadlight restoration
Leading reported evidence
Use 3m product
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
That said, I used the 3M product with uv inhibitor AND added Lamin-X clear covers almost two years ago and have been very happy with the results.
Leading evidence: 'Use 3m product' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Recommend diy' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
The kit I used on my last car had a clear that you applied with a foam brush.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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Suggestion
If you're really picky about your car, I wouldn't recommend a DIY.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suggestion
Its virtually impossible for you to get a complete dust and/or run free spray/finish.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
20 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
I think I've done this before and recall it worked pretty well.
Hey man, that is super easy to do yourself and do right. And I dropped some clear bra on mine afterward. Unless your time is worth way more or you don't enjoy it.
D.
Mine could use some polish as well. They look completely clear from the front and are still bright, but from the side, different story.
How does one DIY these plastic headlight pieces?
If you're really picky about your car, I wouldn't recommend a DIY. Polishing them is pretty straight forward - but in order to prevent yellowing quickly after, they must be treated with a UV protectant clear coat. This is where you can't beat a professional shop. Its virtually impossible for you to get a complete dust and/or run free spray/finish. The kit I used on my last car had a clear that you applied with a foam brush. From 5 feet away the headlights looked pretty great, but if you examined them you would notice runs and dust particles in them.
I've gotten a few quotes from local places for headlight restoration. The first place was a dent removal shop and they quoted me $90 for both lights, but were upfront that they don't have a dust booth and they will not be 100% perfect. The second place is a body shop and they quoted $200 for both lights and have assured me they'll be perfect and dust free. I'm opting to pay the extra money for perfection.
Edit: A fellow member brought to my attention that you can polish and then use Xpel headlight film instead of spraying with a clear coat. I've never tried it, but it sounds like a good alternative.
There are already a few threads on this with in the 996 group if you search. That said, I used the 3M product with uv inhibitor AND added Lamin-X clear covers almost two years ago and have been very happy with the results. Also, much easier if you remove the head lights first.
I know there were some other threads. Just wanted to find somewhere to get it done so it turns out great. I tried to do it before but the end result wasn't very good. I think i'm going to take my chances with this place
https://performancedtl.com/headlight-restoration/
and then have them cover the lights with Lamin-x. That was the best place I could find during research unless I wanted to drive 2 hours to Indiana. The place quoted me $150 for everything.
I feel you. I am apparently incapable of doing mine correctly. I have one new headlight and then one original. The original isn't horrible, but next to the new one . . . Have tried several different kits. After 2 hours of grinding and polishing, it still looks 15 years old.
I got mine upgraded to 35w HID lo-beam and had a 35w HID hi-beam system installed as well. Plus I had "Angel-Eyes" as DRL's, but they also now act as indicators - flashing yellow when activated. So I took the globes from the OEM indicators and just use these now. Also had the interiors of both units painted satin black.
I'm pretty happy with the looks, and the night time vision as now amazing!
Rgd's
AT
I don't know why the pic is upside down... its the right way up on my desktop! Sorry!!
Tonight I mixed my headlight restoration kit with my home brew kit (beer) and accomplished something I'm pretty happy with. My question is now can I add Lamin-X over the lights that have the UV protection that comes with the kit? After a 2000 grit sanding when you add the Lamin-X does it make it look nice and shiny? Sorry.... I'm a newb but really wanting to learn.
It cost me AU$1k, so about US$800. I found this guy on FaceBook. You'd be amazed at some of the skill sets that can be found on FB, I'm sure there's some funny little place somewhere near you that do this sort of thing. LED's in cars have opened up a whole new cottage industry (at least it has done here) and there some amazing work out there.
I can't link the guy's FB page for some reason... but if you're on FB do a search for "That Headlight Guy".
Good luck!
AT
Just wanted to post the results today from hiring Clear-Cut mobile headlight restoration in Los Angeles. Jud did a great job. Sanded down the lights. Polished them and clear coated them with UV resistant clear coat. They look like new! Really helps the cars appearance and the night time lighting improved also!
Last January, I used toothpaste and a brush. Applied, let sit for a minute, brushed, then rinsed with water.
Yellow out and clear so far.
Remember to keep off paint.
