Looking to get some input on best practices for headlight restoration and rejuvenation. I have read up on several processes from all-in-one box "kits" to the more "labourious" 400-[phone removed] wet sand with 2K clear coat techniques. Hoping to hear from some fellow 987 members on any successes *or failures?) on this topic.
My
headlights
aren't that horrible, but why not add a little bit of clarity and shine?
I am thinking it would be beneficial to remove the headlight assemblies rather than masking off all the body work etc.
Removing the
headlights
is the way to go. It’s really easy to remove them on our cars.
Regardless of how you get them clear again, I would strongly recommend that you finish with a ceramic coat of some sort. Some of the products include a
ceramic coating
, but you can use your own as well. It’s not just about protecting the lens, it also makes it more clear.
If they really aren't that bad you might try a DA polisher and some compound before you start sanding anything. I've used the stuff rated for paint correction quite successfully on plastic
headlights
to take that little bit off and make them clear. If you don't have a polisher a cheaper one is more than sufficient. Only reason I haven't done on my
981
is I'm concerned about the delamination so I'm not going to take a risk until I'm also prepared to send them off to
Rennlights
to get re-done should I fail. I'm not sure if the 987
headlights
have a similar coating, so you might want to be aware of that first.
I've also used a couple of kits before. Only negative comment is I think I can get them shinier with my polisher versus whatever drill attachment thing, but they aren't bad. Most of them are just sanding and polishing parts put into a little kit except a few of the weird ceramic ones.
Agree with
@KillerBs75
, start with a heavy compound and cutting wheel and then work your way up to polish with polishing wheel.
I have done this on all my headlights and 99% brought them back to life.
The Cayman, some idiot used 80 grit sand paper (my guess, it was bad). I took it to a professional, and $180 and 45 mins later I had near brand new lights again. They used a air compressor polishing wheel and started with 400 grit and worked up and then cut and polish with compounds.
Echoing try starting with a polishing compound first and see if that process gets you where you want to go. Also definitely remove the lights.
When I did mine (shortly after purchase), I started with 800 and eventually went up to 2k wet sand and then used a polishing compound. Not sure I got them super crystal clear, but definitely a big improvement. I then elected to do the clear coat option. Main tip here is use a light dusting tack coat (not even a solid layer), then you can lay it on solid after a few minutes (I think I waited 10?). Of course, use a 2-part “2K” clear for durability.
If I were to do it again, I might try the compound + ceramic approach, but my approach turned out fairly decent and seems to be holding up pretty well.
Definitely easier to remove the headlight assembly, than to mask and protect all the adjacent painted areas. If you haven’t removed the
headlights
before, I would suggest reviewing the manual, searching this forum, or checking out some YouTube tutorials. They are easy to remove but the retainer needs to be turned in different directions on each side of the car. Turning the wrong way can cause a huge, expensive headache, as one owner found out the hard way. I’ve had mine out so often I purchased a 5mm, long reach, narrow shaft nut driver instead of using the one in the tool kit, which feels a bit sloppy after a bunch of uses.
However you do it,
PPF
is the way to go. Had my done 4 years ago at a local detail shop. $100 for the work, plus $100 for the
PPF
. Still looks as great as they day it was completed. Plus there's a little protection from road grime hazards. These
headlights
are expensive to replace.
BIG
+1
on this suggestion. My 2009 987.2 headlights look like new. PPF film on them now for 17 years. My recently traded in 2011 958 Turbo Cayenne - new looking headlights - PPF on it for over 8 years. I would do the 2025 Cayenne, but since it's under warranty I'll wait until it isn't...
