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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCH996 headlight restoration - fail?
Leading reported evidence
Install layer of clear film
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Once I finished all that I did an alcohol wipe down and installed a layer of clear film.
Leading evidence: 'Install layer of clear film' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Clean lens between each' (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.
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
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
I've gotten better final results when using the 3m drill setup when I do the last polish I use Meguires Plastic Polish (Has the motorcycle fairing on it)
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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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
I recently used the cerakote restoration kit on mine, it didn't get them back to 100% new but was a significant improvement even though I had them done at a detail shop a few years back.
Use meguires plastic polish (has the motorcycle fairing
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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
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
I've gotten better final results when using the 3m drill setup when I do the last polish I use Meguires Plastic Polish (Has the motorcycle fairing on it)
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
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
Once I finished that, I used a polish on a white foam pad to get it to the last 5%.
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
I've gotten better final results when using the 3m drill setup when I do the last polish I use Meguires Plastic Polish (Has the motorcycle fairing on it)
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
I recently used the cerakote restoration kit on mine, it didn't get them back to 100% new but was a significant improvement even though I had them done at a detail shop a few years back.
Use meguires plastic polish (has the motorcycle fairing
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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
I've gotten better final results when using the 3m drill setup when I do the last polish I use Meguires Plastic Polish (Has the motorcycle fairing on it)
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.
11 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.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T130754Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Hello I've done a lot of headlights using stepdown sandpaper process, have had a lot of luck with the 3M drill kit, when I did this with my 996 headlights they were better but they are so far from new. I'm sort of at a loss what to do next, I'm not really excited about spending $2,000 for new headlights but I also don't like how much the faded headlights detract from the car. Does anyone know anyone that quasi specializes in the 996 headlight that I could mail the headlights to for a thorough reconditioning? Does anyone remove the plastic to get to the inner surface, could this be the problem? I'm not a novice and I've certainly read the boards, I Just don't know what the solution is here. Appreciate any advice!
As someone who has restored a few sets of 996 headlights I can tell you that no matter how much you sand down the lenses some becase of age will still have a yellow tinge to them. I was lucky one time and bought a used set of litronics that were almost like new. The clarity was clean on the lenses. If your lenses are yellow and you've sanded them down and clearcoated them or polished them and they still don't seam as clear as new then your best bet is to find a nice used set that doesn't have yellowing. Also consider the cables in the the light are probably all bad already and there is someone here that sells the wire kits seperately. Adrian lights is his name. He also has a restoration service for these lights.
I used this guy in DFW about 6 or 7 years ago. I was happy with the results as I thought my Litronics were a lost cause. I believe he puts a 5 year warranty on his service but I doubt he would fully disassemble them to get the insides.
facebook.com/headlight.restore.1
I recently used the cerakote restoration kit on mine, it didn't get them back to 100% new but was a significant improvement even though I had them done at a detail shop a few years back. Any of the kits that have chemicals to dissolve the oxidation instead of having to sand through it may be worth trying, it was about $20 and an hour of time for me.
Can you share some photos as well as the exact process you've followed? It would be helpful. I've used the 3M kit in the past as well as another brand but ended up having the best results the old fashion way. Wet sand with 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000 and 2500 sand paper making sure to clean the lens between each. After the 2500 grit I used a polishing compound with an orange foam pad to get it 95% there. Once I finished that, I used a polish on a white foam pad to get it to the last 5%. Once I finished all that I did an alcohol wipe down and installed a layer of clear film. They're still like new almost a year later. Took me a while to realize this but the clear film really makes the difference in long term protection, especially if you drive a lot. All the tiny rocks kicked up by other cars will eventually go through any application of a ceramic coating or clear coat, where the thick by comparison clear film will protect much better.
I've gotten better final results when using the 3m drill setup when I do the last polish I use Meguires Plastic Polish (Has the motorcycle fairing on it)
Also if you get them looking good, you can use a clear wrap on it to block the UV.
YMMV
I had good luck with the sanding method. However, I deviated from the process and did not perform the final polishing step. Instead, I applied a clear primer and then a true, two part clear coat. Aside from the Tibet dust particles, they look new, even 5 years later.
You can get it on Amazon. Wear a respirator that fits well and with proper filters as this stuff is not to be inhaled.
Spray Max 2K High Gloss Finish Clear Coat Spray Paint | Car Parts and Repair Refinishing Clear Coat for Permanent Sealing of Coated Surfaces | 3680061
https://a.co/d/4K6kL1K
My car was in a fender-bender a couple years ago which resulted in one brand new litronic and one old one. I've done several headlight restorations using various methods. I did a step down wet sanding process on the old one and it got very clear, but no way to get rid of the yellow discoloration. It was just very clear yellowing. Ultimately I bit the bullet and ordered a new replacement lens for $1300. It was pricey, but the car needed it.
