PLEASE NOTE: This kit can only be used on plastic headlight lenses
Dull, yellowed headlight lenses?
You may have replaced your bulbs, but have you considered cleaning and restoring your headlight lenses at the same time? Plastic lenses are fantastic for providing lightweight, durable protection for your vehicles’ headlights, tail lights, fog and directional lights. Over time, elements such as the weather, sun and sand can cause a yellow haze to form over the lens.
This yellow haze can lead to limited light output and can also diminish the appearance of your car. There is a solution – the 3M Headlight Restoration Kit. This clever system is simple to use and your lenses will return to their former glory in no time. Restore crucial night time visibility and potentially save hundreds of pounds with this kit.
Please note: this kit is only to be used on plastic headlight lenses.
The kit includes:
- 3M Automotive Masking Tape
- 3M Rubbing Compound sachet
- Back-up Pad
- Six P500 grit gold Abrasive Discs
- Four P800 grit Abrasive Discs
- One P3000 grit Abrasive Disc
- Orange foam compounding pad
You’ll also need (not included in the kit):
- Protective eyewear, gloves and dust mask
- A spray bottle filled with water
- A household drill (1200 – 1600rpm)
- A detailing cloth for a final polish of the headlights
Step One: Preparation
Wash the headlight lens with soap and water. Once dry, use the Automotive Masking Tape and tape the area around your headlight to protect your paintwork. Mount the disc pad holder into the drill and attach the P500 grit gold Abrasive Discs to the holder.
Use a light to medium pressure, moving steadily back and forth, to sand the lens and remove the yellow haze and any other surface defects. Your lens should now have a white, evenly sanded surface with a ‘frosted’ effect. No part of the lens should look clear or glossy – if it does, simply sand again.
Step Two: Reducing sand scratches
Replace the P500 with the P800 white disc, and then use the same technique to sand the lens again. Wipe the lens, and check the scratches – the aim is to get them finer than before.
Once this step is complete, use the P3000 Trizact Foam Disc, dampen both the disc and lens surface, and sand as normal to further reduce the scratches. Try to prevent the lens from becoming too dry by spraying with water when needed. When a white residue appears, continue for 4-6 passes over the headlight. If the white residue doesn’t appear, aim for 10-12.
Step 3: Polishing the lens
Now, use the orange foam compounding pad and apply a small amount of the 3M Rubbing Compound. Rub this onto the lens and then switch the drill on. Use a similar technique to the sanding and polish the lens until the clarity improves and the cloudy haze disappears.
Your headlight lenses should now look as good as new!