[BurtonRyder]

i finally got them out and sanded. i used the 600,1000,1500 and 2000 grit paper and the PlastiX but can still see fine sctarches. what did you do to make it look like new. would it look better if i actually used the buffing wheel or is there another product i can use to get that finish

[perfectcircle]

Good work. I did that at first too, and it's the way to go if you don't want to front the cash for new ones and you like to do little projects. I heard it lasts a few months though..either way i got a set of new headlights for xmas from the woman and NOTHING beats brand new.

[blovingier]

Well, since it has been over a year since I did all this stuff to my headlights I figured I'd update o how everything has turned out in the long run.

1. The spray and seal that I originally used to seal up the headlights has also failed and I have moisture inside my headlights. It's not bad, but the turn signal portions actually have mud in them. That's partly because I submerged them in muddy water, but they still leaked. Also, my headlights looked just as bad as they did when they were faded to begin with and it had started to annoy me again.

2. I tried out another product today that was definitely worth what I paid for it. I bought the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System. It cost me $20 (plus tax) at Autozone. The basic composition of this kit is a sanding wheel pad that attaches to a drill and has multiple grade sanding wheels (including a 3000 grit pad), a small buffing wheel, and buffing compound. I spent about 1 hour sanding and buffing and had my headlights looking much better than I had originally. I didn't think to take another picture for comparison of before and after, so sorry guys. Here's a picture of my headlights before any mods. They looked about like this today except not amber lenses inside.



Here's the 3M Kit:



And after following the directions almost exactly I had this:





All in all this was definitely worth the time and money I spent on it. If I had a kit like this to begin with, then I would have saved my self so much trouble. One note though, is that you should do this on a day you can wash your Jeep right after you are done because you WILL make a mess all over your Jeep. The kit says to tape everything off before hand, but it's really no use. Also, I added a sanding with 2000 grit sandpaper in between the 800G wheel and the 3000G pad. Hope this is helpful for someone.

[311LJ]

wow! good find on that kit! looks good

i got a question tho... have you had any problems with cops or passing safty and emissions with the removal of that side marker reflector? because you vehicle is technically illegal now.. just wondering! not trying to be a buzz kill! i'm debating doing this as well!

[blovingier]

Well, I just came from Arizona and they never required me to do an inspection. Now I'm in Maryland and I'm sure they will kill me on that for their inspection. I've never had any cops say anything about it or get pulled over for it though. I was actually amazed that there were actually a few different kits there that were not around when I did it the first time. I can't remember all the ones that there were, but I think one was made by turtle wax. I was going to do some more testing on some of the other kits, but I didn't have that much cash on me.

[jclaudii]

I bet they will never notice the "missing lenses" as the bulbs are amber and the fixture is DOT approved so you should be good to go!

[Ski01xj]

Last time I pulled my headlights out to start this i broke most of the white clips. When you guys reinstalled your lights, did you order a new set of the white clips from the dealership or just skip them on the re install?

I got a new set of headlights from the j/y for 100$ and they are in way better shape than my current lights. I need to do this soon, my visibility at night is actually suffering from how had my current headlights are.

[Ski01xj]

Anyone know how crutial those white clips are?

[Eshindi]

Looks nice
looks like the ones I bought off ebay
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/Eshindi/Jeep%20Mods/100_0926.jpg

[steveridesli]

those little yellow pieces coming out of the back of the headlight, are those vents that air out the whole piece?

[jeeper2010]

Hello Jeepfans. After some researching this solution from the internet to
my 2000 WJ Grand Cherokee's fogged up passenger side light. It has been this way a year after I bought my jeep, used several years ago. I do not have any before pictures, but it was the usual nasty yellow, with fogg all over. I'll get a after picture in a few days to post. I decided to give it this try, and here is what worked for me. Based on another users experience 600 and 800 Gritt Wet/Dry sanding paper seemed to be too abrasive, so here is what I used, most can be found at Advanced Auto Parts, or Wal-Mart, etc.
The Turtle Wax Headlight restoriation kit looked like a very good deal at $9.99
and it might be a good investment for those who didn't want to do it this way:

1 pack of 3M Imperial Wet/Dry Sanding Paper 1000 Gritt (03001)
1 pack of 3M Imperial Wet/Dry Sanding Paper 1500 Gritt (03002)
1 pack of 3M Imperial Wet/Dry Sanding Paper 2000 Gritt (03003)
1 Mothers Mini-PowerBall
1 Black and Decker 18V Cordless drill
1 Spray Bottle with water and a few drops of DAWN (for cleaning the light)
1 container of water (for soaking all the sandpaper 15 minutes prior to use)
1 bottle of Meguiar's PlastX polish for clear plastics
1 bottle of Blue Magic Headlight Lens Restorer (for initial cleaning and sealing)
1 roll of Scotch 1 Inch Low Adhesion Painters Tape
1 pack of Micro-Fiber cleaning cloths (for wiping down)

I opened the hood of the Jeep, and then masked the remaining areas around the light with painters tape. I sprayed and cleaned the light intially with
a cloth and my water bottle. Using another cloth, I applied several coats
of the Blue Magic Headlight Lens Restorer. I wiped and sprayed this down, pulled my pre-soaked sandpaper sheets and started wet sanding the entire light with 1000, working to 1500 and then 2000 after about 25 minutes. I sprayed down in between each pass and kept the sandpaper sprayed and clean. I started again at 1000, then worked to 1500 and 2000 again, in the same way, for another 25 minutes accross the light. I then re applied the Blue Magic, and worked it into the light for several passes. Then I applied the PlastX on the Mothers Mini-Powerball and did three passes. Each one I worked until the fluid was gone and I kept the drill moving with two hands on it at all times never staying in one place too long, I did horizontal and vertical movements accross the light finishing with horizontal. After this pass I reapplied blue magic for two coats and worked it in with the Mothers Mini Power Ball. The results are very cool, and it is a very sharp finiish and crystal clear.

I'll try to get a picture.

Cheers. and I hope this helps.



I used 1000, 1500 and 2000 in that order

[harwood909]

I made a video of me doing this a little while back. I didn't use sand paper tho.

Rubbing Compound VS. Colgate Toothpaste

YouTube - Cleaning Yellowed Headlights: Quick and Simple

[39ranger]

I have two vehicles that have plastic lenses and have cleaned and buffed the lenses on both of them and on some of my families cars as well. At first they look new but quickly fade and start to oxidize.
I found a product that you spray on after sanding the oxidation off and it has a uv protectant in it as well. I have sprayed it on the one side of my 96 E320 and polished the other side. The side I sprayed looks better than new and the other side looks like its needing help again after 6 months. I let mine dry in the sun without the special light they suggest.

SEM Products - Catalog

[gqmdl0617]

So i just tried this last night, and it worked like a charm. Just make sure you heat the plastic up enough , for a good 10 minutes. Work slowly around the edge with a screwdriver until it comes off.

Also, it helps to reheat both pieces before putting them back together, helps to get the best seal possible.

Thanks for the idea/write-up!