Headlights polished

[PDX M Coupe]

So after several attempts at polishing the headlight lenses of my M coupe, I finally found something that did the trick! I was reluctant to try wet sanding, and I tried several times to simply use Meguiars cleaner and polish, but my headlights still had this slight haze on them that just would not go away. Today I used metal polish, and the haze is gone!

Here is what I did:
1) Clean off the headlights with a few sprays of water and a towel

2) Apply Meguiars Mirror Glaze #17 Clear Plastic Cleaner. I used a micro fiber cloth for this step, and a new mf cloth for steps 3 and 4. Using circular motions, work the cleaner in and then wipe it off with a clean side of the cloth.

3) Apply Metal polish. I used Pro Honda Metal Polish and Finish Restorer. You can find this at most Honda dealers, and it is the same stuff people use to polish the windscreens on their motorcycles. I worked in a very small amount with the corner of a micro fiber cloth, and used very little elbow grease. I used my finger to work it in on the corners, in order to prevent getting any of the paste on my bumper or hood. Wipe it off with a clean portion of the cloth. Repeat this step for stubborn areas.

4) Apply Meguiars Mirror Glaze #10 Clear Plastic Polish with a clean cloth to finish then buff it off.

The result was awesome! Finally, that retched haze has gone away! For step #3, you can use some sort of other applicator that the dealer would recommend, but I did not have it. The micro fiber cloth seemed to be a safe and effective alternative.

Note: do not get any of this stuff on your paint. If you are sloppy, mask it off or tuck some rags around the outside of the headlights. Happy motoring!

[PDX M Coupe]

So has anyone else done this?

[Hugo]

Is the stuff bad for the paint?

[PDX M Coupe]

The metal polish is a very soft compound, but still retains some abrassive and polishing stuff. I doubt it could be good for your clear coat. I guess it would be the equivalent of using rubbing compound over a nicely zaino'd finish...

[StouffvilleZ3]

I used Scratch X last week. Helped and didn't have to worry about being sloppy. I tend to fuck up once in a while, but who doesn't.

Bill

[Alex.M]

Will be trying Scratch X this weekend. Thanks.

[PDX M Coupe]

Best of luck with the scratch X stuff. I never tried that on my M headlights, but I have used it before with no luck...

[Greg]

When I was applying wax to the car with the buffer tool, I buffed each lense, with the hood open, and the lense came out practically new. By hand can take 30 minutes...

With the buffing tool, it's a sinch...

[QuestMCoupe]

I know this thread is old but has anyone done anything different since then? I really need to do something with my headlights. Thanks.

[QuestMCoupe]

I forgot to ask, is that Meguiar's Mirror Glaze available at auto parts stores like Pep Boys, etc.?

[CaliAgents]

Y'all need to dish out $50 (on sale right now) and purchase a pair of clear 3M headlight shields

I picked up a pair immediately after I purchased my car because I knew the plastic housing would take a fat beating without protection.

They are thick, probably around a 1/5" thick and is literally invisible from a 3+ feet away. Works as advertise, fa sho..

[PDX M Coupe]

Yes, you can get those products at any local parts store.

As for the headlight covers, do yourself a favor and get umnitza's latest stonegard offering for the Z-based headlights. $30!

[QuestMCoupe]

Sounds good. Thanks for the info guys. I've been wondering where the best place to get those stoneguards was. Thats next for sure on my list.

[scotty_passat]

I think my car has the stoneguards already and I'd like to remove them (and maybe put on a new set) as they seem to be discolored and give the lights a cloudy/smoked look.

How do they come off....peel, chemicals, heat?

[perryinva]

an rubbing alcohol and water solution. The adhesive will soften with the alcohol and you slowly peel and spray.

[eVal]

I've used Plexus on plastics/lucite in the past with great results, perhaps I'll try it on the headlamps (although they currently look fine)

http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/about.html

PS: You can usually find it at motorcycle shops/store that sell helmets

PPS: I'll bet it'll clean the stoneguard up too.

[///MDex]

Since we've been in the habit here of bumping old threads, I thought I'd bump one with value

I used some Meguiars Scratch-X, PC, and a Lake County 'Orange' Pad.

- cleaned the lense with Stoners Glass Cleaner and a cotton rag
- placed rag below headlight assembly
- used a speed of 4 and some elbow grease for 2 applicatiopn on each lense
- buffed off with a microfiber
- applied and buffed off Klasse SG

My lenses didn't look that bad to begin with, but they sure look brand new now.

Thanks Bryon for the idea!

[umnitza]

Yes, you can get those products at any local parts store.

As for the headlight covers, do yourself a favor and get umnitza's latest stonegard offering for the Z-based headlights. $30!

we have about 10 sets left

[wingsnaprop]

Just Buffing out those Headlamps is a Temp fix that will only Last about a Month or so .. then they go back to ugly Cloudy ..

Here's what you do - From Me, a 45 yr bodyshop guy and the biggest BullS*itter in the Miami Valley..

If your Headlamps are Foggy, Hazy, Cloudy. Here's what YOU DO ( AS IN -YOU CAN DO THIS ! DYI..) Wetsand them thoroughly With 1000 grit wet or dry (3m) Sandpaper. try to wetsand all the 'Yellow' off them.. Then Mask them up, and get some Automotive Urethane (Catalyzed) CLEAR COAT .. Mix the Automotive Clear as per the instructions (Usualy 4 parts Clear to 1 part catalyst) THEN THIN IT DOWN AT LEAST 100% (one to one) with BaseCoat 'Catalyzed Enamel reducer' OR High grade Lacquer Thinner. (DO NOT use alkyd Enamel Reducer, or turpentine) Mask up your headlights and spray a light Coat of the Clear over them .. Let it dry 15 Minutes, and spray another Coat .. ..

If you worry about 'spraying your headlights', just Wetsand them and take them (or Drive the car there) to a BodyShop and tell them to spray 2 light coats of some 'piss thin' Urethane clear coat on them .. (That's a technical body Shop term) .

THEY WILL LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR .. 20 years! Bright and Clear !

Trust me .. I'm a bodyman !

[boncovi]

THEY WILL LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR .. 20 years! Bright and Clear !

Trust me .. I'm a bodyman !

Interesting first post.

[MCoupeVet]

resurection of a 7 year old thread

Your advice sound good. Any pics?

[O 16581 72452 5]

I've done the wetsand and clear coat on headlights, while it does look good, it's still not new car showroom quality.

[BlackjackM]

Just wet sand and buff them with some polish, then seal them with a high quality sealant, ie Blackfire Wet Diamond. They will stay nice as long as they are well maintained.

[95325i]

I used plastic cleaner the same stuff that I use on the back window of my car to keep it clean. My headlights where really cloudy when I got my car, but with a lot of hard polishing both by hand and with mechanical buffer I got my headlights clear. So far its been about 1 year and the lights still are clear, and I take some plastic polish and wax to them before the winter (with light polish on and off) so far they still look as good I think.

[IRPancake]

Just Buffing out those Headlamps is a Temp fix that will only Last about a Month or so .. then they go back to ugly Cloudy ..

Here's what you do - From Me, a 45 yr bodyshop guy and the biggest BullS*itter in the Miami Valley..

If your Headlamps are Foggy, Hazy, Cloudy. Here's what YOU DO ( AS IN -YOU CAN DO THIS ! DYI..) Wetsand them thoroughly With 1000 grit wet or dry (3m) Sandpaper. try to wetsand all the 'Yellow' off them.. Then Mask them up, and get some Automotive Urethane (Catalyzed) CLEAR COAT .. Mix the Automotive Clear as per the instructions (Usualy 4 parts Clear to 1 part catalyst) THEN THIN IT DOWN AT LEAST 100% (one to one) with BaseCoat 'Catalyzed Enamel reducer' OR High grade Lacquer Thinner. (DO NOT use alkyd Enamel Reducer, or turpentine) Mask up your headlights and spray a light Coat of the Clear over them .. Let it dry 15 Minutes, and spray another Coat .. ..

If you worry about 'spraying your headlights', just Wetsand them and take them (or Drive the car there) to a BodyShop and tell them to spray 2 light coats of some 'piss thin' Urethane clear coat on them .. (That's a technical body Shop term) .

THEY WILL LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR .. 20 years! Bright and Clear !

Trust me .. I'm a bodyman !

I'm impressed.