WELCOME!
   

Go Back   PY Online Forums - Bringing the Pontiac Hobby Together > Classic TECH- specs, codes, resto issues FORUMS > General Late Model Tech

General Late Model Tech All LM technical discussions except GTO, G8 and TA here!

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-01-2023, 04:50 PM
OG68's Avatar
OG68 OG68 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Chula Vista, CA
Posts: 1,633
Default Headlight Lens Restoration

Can anyone suggest a good plastic lens restoration product that actually works?
I really don't want to pay $700 for a pair of Off-Shore headlights for the wife's Cadillac.
__________________
Ed

1968 GTO (Thanks Mom)
2006 Silverado
2007 Cadillac SRX
2015 Chevy Express
2024 Cadillac LYRIQ

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-01-2023, 07:43 PM
DavesGTO's Avatar
DavesGTO DavesGTO is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Maryland
Posts: 297
Default

Best results I have gotten were from the Mckees 37 kit. I used the cheaper one, now they sell a bigger version too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to DavesGTO For This Useful Post:
  #3  
Old 02-01-2023, 11:44 PM
1965gp 1965gp is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 966
Default

I used a high powered buffer and light compound on my dads 2007 Equinox and it made them look like new. Took a little time but it was worth it.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to 1965gp For This Useful Post:
  #4  
Old 02-26-2023, 10:45 PM
433lemans's Avatar
433lemans 433lemans is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Near Sioux Falls SD
Posts: 226
Default

This may sound very simplified but I have used hand applied chrome polish on my KIA Optima headlights with great results. Just apply to a clean rag and hand polish to finish. Repeat as necessary. It works for me.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to 433lemans For This Useful Post:
  #5  
Old 09-23-2023, 08:33 PM
433lemans's Avatar
433lemans 433lemans is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Near Sioux Falls SD
Posts: 226
Default

After reviewing this I'd like to clarify what I used to polish my headlights. It was not chrome polish but instead it was Mag and Aluminum polish. Sorry. It really does work good with only a little elbow grease. Now I can sleep at night lol.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	headlight4.jpg
Views:	1145
Size:	65.2 KB
ID:	620433   Click image for larger version

Name:	headlight3.jpg
Views:	1131
Size:	76.4 KB
ID:	620434   Click image for larger version

Name:	headlight2.jpg
Views:	1145
Size:	84.0 KB
ID:	620435   Click image for larger version

Name:	headlight1.jpg
Views:	1086
Size:	69.4 KB
ID:	620436  

Last edited by 433lemans; 09-23-2023 at 08:41 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to 433lemans For This Useful Post:
  #6  
Old 10-17-2023, 07:31 PM
Trevor78 Trevor78 is offline
Suspended
 
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 593
Default

A lot of the time a plastic polish isn't required if the headlights are in good condition as they have a clear coating and regular polish works. It's only after it delaminates, chips or gets thin that you may need both as the actual plastic surface is now exposed. Careful buffing too much, can easily make good headlights become bad headlights when it burns through.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Trevor78 For This Useful Post:
  #7  
Old 10-17-2023, 08:08 PM
Cammer-6 Cammer-6 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: central Fla
Posts: 8,554
Default

I was looking at some today on a 2011 and was thinking I could buff it clear,but looked at directly infront of the light bulb and saw many cracks on the inside of lens.
So Im now looking at replacing the lens at $40 each vs $900 for headlights.
HID is neat until its time to replace.
__________________
Everything comes and goes
Pleasure moves on too early
And trouble leaves too slow
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-06-2024, 12:53 PM
78w72 78w72 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: iowa
Posts: 5,005
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 433lemans View Post
After reviewing this I'd like to clarify what I used to polish my headlights. It was not chrome polish but instead it was Mag and Aluminum polish. Sorry. It really does work good with only a little elbow grease. Now I can sleep at night lol.
Just saw this... I use mothers mag & alum polish on my 4th gen 4runner headlight housings, alomg with many other models they get a yellowish haze to them, the mothers polish gets them looking almost like new with just hand polishing, use a buffer at low speeds & its even better.

The key to keeping them clear is to use a protective coating after polishing, normal car wax works for awhile but they will yellow again after a few months in summer sun. The headlight restore kits have a longer lasting clear you apply by hand after polishing that lasts longer than wax but not forever. Some guys use an actual paint clear that probably lasts the longest.

I dont mind doing a quick mothers polish every year or 2 to keep them nice, for $5 its well worth it & is great for polishing other aluminum items too. New toyota lights are very expensive & most the aftermarket ones are cheap & will get moisture inside or they are as expensive as factory for good ones.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to 78w72 For This Useful Post:
  #9  
Old 02-06-2024, 02:59 PM
OG68's Avatar
OG68 OG68 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Chula Vista, CA
Posts: 1,633
Default

I ended up using a Sylvania product. Worked so well I did my Silverado and the daughters Camry too. Been almost a year now and all three remain very clear.
__________________
Ed

1968 GTO (Thanks Mom)
2006 Silverado
2007 Cadillac SRX
2015 Chevy Express
2024 Cadillac LYRIQ

Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-06-2024, 03:24 PM
unruhjonny's Avatar
unruhjonny unruhjonny is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Posts: 6,457
Default

if your lenses are cracked, then I'd suggest going to a wrecker (generall self serve have WAY better pricing) and buy a used set that are in better shape.

I used to use 3m rubbing compound - but what was left of my bottle dried out, so I am playing with different polishing compounds;
Generally anything advertised as being able to polish out clear coat scratches should work - as long as you are willing to put a little time into it.

I would go aftermarket (aka: cheap off shore) stuff as a last resort;
You should be able to buy good used OEM at about the same price as the cheap aftermarket stuff.
__________________
1970 Formula 400
Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior
A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car.
Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left.


1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing)
2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs)
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 02-06-2024, 10:28 PM
tstroud tstroud is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Iowa
Posts: 160
Default

All those headlight polishing kits are worthless. The polish only lasts a short time.
Sand the headlight with 400 grit to get all the yellow off. Then sand with 800 grit to smooth them out. Then spray them with duplicolor touch up clear coat.
After a couple months put your favorite wax on them and that will last for years.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:28 AM.

Featured Vendors


Advertising Info