About sanding/polishing out the "orange peel": it's not so the surface of the headlights looks smooth. Orange peel will make the light beam dissipate, look not as bright on the road. The clearer and smoother the surface of the headlights, the brighter and more focused will be the light on the road. The main reason for this fix isn't how the headlights look on your car, it's how much light they put on the road. That they look nice afterward is a bonus.
ha ha! I have been doing that for years. My friends look at me crazy when I tell them about it, even seeing the finished product. Thanks for posting this. I am going to share it with all of my friends that didn't believe me.
Three months later and the lenses on my E320 still look great. After spraying on the clearcoat the weather changed and I didn't have the time to buff the clear coat to smooth. Today, it isn't that noticeable, and at a savings of $700 for MB replacements I don't notice it at all.
You have the best info on restorations. I'll be trying the above, plus the flaky clear coat restoration from the other video starting today. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Great job man. Your spray technique is perfect. START your spray OFF the headlight, then pass ACROSS the headlight, and don't STOP your spray until you are again OFF the headlight..... Very good video. I just found your channel. You are very good. I like your videos! Keep it up!
I just buffed out the lights and used Rustoleum 2x ultra cover and without even trying it does that orange peel effect. I find your video so far is the ONLY one that addresses it. Thanks!!!
Looks like a lot of work ! I have always "cleaned" the headlamps with Polishing compound , followed by waxing, and found it last 2 to 3 years... Following thisroutine (of 20 minutes ) keeps them bright and shining until the cars end .
Best way to fix mist/faded headlights for less than what it would cost for a new set is to restore them. Remove the headlight assembly. Wet sand the entire front of assembly with 1000 grit sand paper. Then step up to 2000 grit sand paper. Then, with alcohol, wipe down the entire lens to get all the dirt off and re-wipe to make sure lens is clean. Then spray automotive grade clear onto the entire lens. let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes then re-spray two or three times with 10 to15 minutes between coats. Wait for an hour or two to let the clear dry so you can reinstall the lights. Wait a day or two then buff and wax the headlights.
This is a great video. I thought the only way to fix this problem was to replace the headlights. Replacement units aren't too expensive for most cars, but this method is dirt cheap by comparison.
+RatchetsAnd Wrenches hello, i tried this method with 1500 and 2000, then i applied a clear coat brand Touch 'n tone, i dont know ehat happened but my headlight turn like a white or not clear color :/... Can you talk to me or send me a email to tall about plis i need some help
+Alberto Carvajal there are a few types of clearcoat, some are sold to spray on glass next to front door of your house so people cant see in but it still lets the light in. make sure your can says clear and not glazed
Hi ! I have a question,: i've done this procedure on my headlight and they came out really good, but two weeks from that it seems like my low beam coock the paint in front of them. Is it because i did too many layers of paint? Thanks in advance
Hi R & W. Great advice and method. There are a few old heaps here begging for that headlight freshening. I always start with the most worthless wheezy old rolling tin shack while getting the drill down. The UV proof cover seems to be the trick, as the *#&@X fogging aways returns otherwise. I like to remove any afflicted parts from said heaps, and do a temp cardboard box mini spray booth out back. Thanks for clear, careful explanations.
Some paint shops say you need a adhesion promoter before spraying the clear but I questioned them using a 2K clear for headlights. 2K clear is the way to go for long lasting chemical/uv proof results which is not what that dupli color is.
You should use a cross pattern between the grits, no biggie, and or just remove the housing' do your work, let the clear air dry for 4hrs then bake in the oven around 140 degrees for an hour, then remove air dry for two more hrs and done, clear will be fully cured. Nice vid just my 2cents, and it works..
Thanks. I tried Chris Fix's method before and it still came out hazy. Not sure if it was because of the wax, or because I didn't sand it enough at the lower grits. Eventually I'll try doing it again and see if I get a better result.
anti0918 Make sure the haze is not from the inside of the Headlight, if its from the exterior like you said make sure you sand it down thoroughly especially with the 400-800 grit sand papers. GL
finally someone that did it correctly...been telling people for ages that the toothpaste method is garbage and will wash off y our lights by the time you wash your car ONCE....finally someone who did it correctly.
After sanding you need to finish off with some abrazive paste (i use 3 m), and THEN apply clear coat. And i finish sanding with 2000, 1500 is kinda rough.
I followed the exact procedure but did my cherokee lights out of the vehicle. 2 days afterwards I installed them and did a light 400, 800, 1500 again to remove orange peel and prep for polish. It smoothed it out real nice, then I used a polishing compound on a fine damp microfiber cloth. With some elbow grease they came back nicely. Give them a few more days again to cure and polish using polishing compound on a wool buff at low to medium speed.
Love you're videos was wandering if you could show a 1986 TRANS AM convenience center where the buzzers and turn and flash canisters connect I had a fire don't know if it's all there ?
How do you protect it after this? Do you apply some sealant? You are the first person I saw who sprayed it with clear coat. Usually they use rubbing compound and then polishing compound. After that some sealant like jet seal or whatever.
What if you see some area you need to sand down after you have applied your clear coat? Could you remove the clear coat in the same manner in which it takes to remove the oxidation? What i'm saying is could I just start over and redo the process?
Great video, as usual. Do you think there would be a benefit of using a 2K clearcoat over the Duplicolor? Is it worth the extra expense? Longevity? Thanks a lot. Terry
quick question. how long did you wait between 2nd light coat and 3rd heavier coat? i know first one to 2nd is about 10 minutes of waiting. but i am not sure about the waiting time between 2nd and 3rd.
very impressive. the way your explanation feels genune may be of your voice. but i am from india. can you suggest me the material which is avaliable here if you know. thank you.
How about using 2k clear coat instead of 1k clear? Would 2k clear be more durable? And would applying plastic primer first make the whole job more durable? Just wondering what the best practice would be to get something that would last 5+ years, or at least as good as new headlights from the factory.
Wow, your explanation is concise...rare here on RUclips. VERY helpful. Now if we can figure out how to sign up...
About sanding/polishing out the "orange peel": it's not so the surface of the headlights looks smooth. Orange peel will make the light beam dissipate, look not as bright on the road. The clearer and smoother the surface of the headlights, the brighter and more focused will be the light on the road.
The main reason for this fix isn't how the headlights look on your car, it's how much light they put on the road. That they look nice afterward is a bonus.
Fantastic video! Seamlessly edited, leaving just the right amount of content & explanation.
You're one awesome teacher. God bless you.
Bro, your videos are awesome. ... guide on windshield scratch cause of wipers.. Minnor one
Thanks Mike I had no idea it was a simple process thanks to you. I follow your directions and they look nearly good as new. keep it up
ha ha! I have been doing that for years. My friends look at me crazy when I tell them about it, even seeing the finished product.
Thanks for posting this. I am going to share it with all of my friends that didn't believe me.
Three months later and the lenses on my E320 still look great. After spraying on the clearcoat the weather changed and I didn't have the time to buff the clear coat to smooth. Today, it isn't that noticeable, and at a savings of $700 for MB replacements I don't notice it at all.
Great video and thanks for taking the time to do it.
Mike
You have the best info on restorations. I'll be trying the above, plus the flaky clear coat restoration from the other video starting today. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Great job man.
Your spray technique is perfect. START your spray OFF the headlight, then pass ACROSS the headlight, and don't STOP your spray until you are again OFF the headlight.....
Very good video.
I just found your channel. You are very good. I like your videos! Keep it up!
I just buffed out the lights and used Rustoleum 2x ultra cover and without even trying it does that orange peel effect. I find your video so far is the ONLY one that addresses it. Thanks!!!
Great video. You do a great job of including all the smaller details. Thanks!!
Excellent video!!! I have a 1999 Mercury Cougar and it's headlights are yellowed. Will certainly be trying this!
Thanks for the way you explain the steps. Great job!
Looks like a lot of work ! I have always "cleaned" the headlamps with Polishing compound , followed by waxing, and found it last 2 to 3 years... Following thisroutine (of 20 minutes ) keeps them bright and shining until the cars end .
Excellent Video, This is really the way to do it, all the other ways are really temp. Thanks Good Job
joel mccoin exactly, glad you liked the video. cheers
Best way to fix mist/faded headlights for less than what it would cost for a new set is to restore them. Remove the headlight assembly. Wet sand the entire front of assembly with 1000 grit sand paper. Then step up to 2000 grit sand paper. Then, with alcohol, wipe down the entire lens to get all the dirt off and re-wipe to make sure lens is clean. Then spray automotive grade clear onto the entire lens. let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes then re-spray two or three times with 10 to15 minutes between coats. Wait for an hour or two to let the clear dry so you can reinstall the lights. Wait a day or two then buff and wax the headlights.
very well explained bro. I'll be trying this on my g35
I would recommend sanding it down with a 2000 grid sandpaper (lightly) with water and then use mequiers diamond cut to shine it , works like a charm
I must admit that looks really nice 👍
Awesome! I got a project this weekend. :) Thanks for all your advice brother. Keep up the good work.
Daniel Jones will do, gl with the project. Let us know how it goes.
You share a lot of helpful videos, Thanks for taking the time to make them and sharing what you know!!!
Very good video with step by step explanations, thank you.
WOW..YOU DID IT AGAIN..AND AS ALWAYS..YOU ROCK!
Looks really good and makes them brighter @ nite. I did this type of stuff to mine and it works.
Great video very detailed. I did this and loved the results ,also added polish after a week even more amazing result. thanks again. 🖒
np, glad you liked it. cheers
This will be my next project for my S2000. Great Video.
Very detailed illustrations. Well done
+thomas tan Thanks, glad you liked it.
This is a great video. I thought the only way to fix this problem was to replace the headlights. Replacement units aren't too expensive for most cars, but this method is dirt cheap by comparison.
All your vids are so helpful. Huge thanks
EXCELLENT JOB MY FRIEND!!!!!
Thanks man. Great advice. Obviously you are very experienced at doing this. Other videos do not show all the details that you did. Thanks again.
+Mark Bolno np, thanks for watching and commenting. cheers
Great job. have tried other means of getting headlight clear and didn't go so well. Now after seeing your video I am gonna try it your way.
+ThePomeranianlover Sweet, let us know how it turns out.
+RatchetsAnd Wrenches hello, i tried this method with 1500 and 2000, then i applied a clear coat brand Touch 'n tone, i dont know ehat happened but my headlight turn like a white or not clear color :/... Can you talk to me or send me a email to tall about plis i need some help
+Alberto Carvajal there are a few types of clearcoat, some are sold to spray on glass next to front door of your house so people cant see in but it still lets the light in. make sure your can says clear and not glazed
Hi ! I have a question,: i've done this procedure on my headlight and they came out really good, but two weeks from that it seems like my low beam coock the paint in front of them. Is it because i did too many layers of paint?
Thanks in advance
This video is awesome! Thank you! One question: Was one of those Dupli-Color cans enough to spray both headlights thoroughly?
This is some awesome information. I love doing stuff like this.
Fantastic results. Great video!
Where do we buy elbow grease?
Central America? That's where most of ours comes from in the US…
townsent1 the Home Depot parking lot
amazon is also an option
lmao buy it at the sweat and tears department lol
No stores in my area carry it. Probably a health hazard or something... lol
Excellent video demo!
Wow that looks great!! Thanks for the knowledge
Great video, thanks for your help, I'm gonna do this on my dodge pu.
love the videos man keep it up!
amazing! Really great detailed instructions
Nice. No bullshit. Just great easy to follow info.
this method it really works
thank you. your videos are all very educative. more videos on honda accord and toyota rav 4 please. thx
Your very intelligent..good job brother
actually teaching ppl how to earn money from it. Well done!
Really well explained thanks
Dude !!! you rock !! cool vid.
GREAT VIDEO!!!! WOW!!!
VICTOR
Thanks for the video great job..
nice job where did you get the 800 and 1500 grit sandpaper
bravo sir
Hi R & W. Great advice and method. There are a few old heaps here begging for that headlight freshening. I always start with the most worthless wheezy old rolling tin shack while getting the drill down. The UV proof cover seems to be the trick, as the *#&@X fogging aways returns otherwise. I like to remove any afflicted parts from said heaps, and do a temp cardboard box mini spray booth out back. Thanks for clear, careful explanations.
can we use the same clear coat spray on the head light as that we use to repair the top coat on the paint?
sounds good..i will give it a shot.
paket j
Some paint shops say you need a adhesion promoter before spraying the clear but I questioned them using a 2K clear for headlights. 2K clear is the way to go for long lasting chemical/uv proof results which is not what that dupli color is.
01lexus
Yeah, I wondered why R&W didn't use 2K clear on the headlights. He likes 2K on body panels, why not on headlights?
great job i have a 99 aurora thats in bad shape gonna try it your way. thanks
Will any polishing compound do? For the orange peal??
You should use a cross pattern between the grits, no biggie, and or just remove the housing' do your work, let the clear air dry for 4hrs then bake in the oven around 140 degrees for an hour, then remove air dry for two more hrs and done, clear will be fully cured. Nice vid just my 2cents, and it works..
Thanks. I tried Chris Fix's method before and it still came out hazy. Not sure if it was because of the wax, or because I didn't sand it enough at the lower grits. Eventually I'll try doing it again and see if I get a better result.
anti0918 Make sure the haze is not from the inside of the Headlight, if its from the exterior like you said make sure you sand it down thoroughly especially with the 400-800 grit sand papers. GL
Dam..that looks great..Outstanding.
Hey Mike, is it OK that I have been using mop&glo on my tires and bumpers since 1987?
finally someone that did it correctly...been telling people for ages that the toothpaste method is garbage and will wash off y our lights by the time you wash your car ONCE....finally someone who did it correctly.
Does the rubbing compound really work compared to wet sanding? I would really like to use compound if it works
Great video
good job
perfect method, worked for me
Did he mention how long to wait before you can drive and use your headlights? Just curious, with the heat from the headlights plus the elements.
24 hours is safe.
Great video, but I checked the description box for the polishing compound and didn't find it. What polishing compound did you have in your hand?
I'm guessing it's this? www.amazon.com/Meguiars-M8532-Mirror-Diamond-Compound/dp/B0002SQVGC/ref=pd_sbs_263_22?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0002SQVGC&pd_rd_r=EYFGN2V2TNR86Q8FGVS5&pd_rd_w=x7oeO&pd_rd_wg=zoU4V&psc=1&refRID=EYFGN2V2TNR86Q8FGVS5
Can I do this during winter? It's like 10 degree out right now.
ty for this vid prob going to do this to my headlights tommro 2 thumbs up
AWESOME!!! THANKS
Wonder after the 1500 if You used Plastix from Mequiar if it would have removed the cloudiness?
thanks bro...
After sanding you need to finish off with some abrazive paste (i use 3 m), and THEN apply clear coat. And i finish sanding with 2000, 1500 is kinda rough.
Can you wet sand the clear around 3000 grit to completely remove orange peel
I followed the exact procedure but did my cherokee lights out of the vehicle. 2 days afterwards I installed them and did a light 400, 800, 1500 again to remove orange peel and prep for polish. It smoothed it out real nice, then I used a polishing compound on a fine damp microfiber cloth. With some elbow grease they came back nicely. Give them a few more days again to cure and polish using polishing compound on a wool buff at low to medium speed.
Love you're videos was wandering if you could show a 1986 TRANS AM convenience center where the buzzers and turn and flash canisters connect I had a fire don't know if it's all there ?
Nice video.
How do you protect it after this? Do you apply some sealant?
You are the first person I saw who sprayed it with clear coat. Usually they use rubbing compound and then polishing compound. After that some sealant like jet seal or whatever.
nice video, thanks for sharing this awesome one . nice work
can I use compound before spraying the clear coat?
Why would you want to? Don't polish it first; that will take away the tooth for the clear coat
What if you see some area you need to sand down after you have applied your clear coat? Could you remove the clear coat in the same manner in which it takes to remove the oxidation? What i'm saying is could I just start over and redo the process?
thanks
Thanks for that!
What polishing compound did you use in the video? Ive orange peel and would like to clear mine up a bit
Great one.
Should I wait for the clear coat to fully cure before buffing with Polish?
I would
great job friend
amjad amj tyty
this might not be your area of expertise but do you know if UV Curing lamps will be able to cure the clear coat quicker?
Can you wet sand the clear coat with fine grit paper to remedy the orange peel??
Great video, as usual. Do you think there would be a benefit of using a 2K clearcoat over the Duplicolor?
Is it worth the extra expense? Longevity?
Thanks a lot.
Terry
quick question. how long did you wait between 2nd light coat and 3rd heavier coat? i know first one to 2nd is about 10 minutes of waiting. but i am not sure about the waiting time between 2nd and 3rd.
+Bong Jun Jeong another 10 minutes.
How long does this 1k clear last compared to the 2k clear used in the other vid?
Thanks
awesome Thanks man
very impressive. the way your explanation feels genune may be of your voice. but i am from india. can you suggest me the material which is avaliable here if you know. thank you.
How about using 2k clear coat instead of 1k clear? Would 2k clear be more
durable? And would applying plastic primer first make the whole job
more durable? Just wondering what the best practice would be to get
something that would last 5+ years, or at least as good as new
headlights from the factory.