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Old 11-04-2011, 03:46 PM
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CleanFairladyZ
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Default Outer Headlight Scratches

So there are these scratches on my headlights that I'm not even sure are scratches. You can't feel them and they could be cracks. PICS BELOOOWWWWWWWWW







I was wondering what I could use to fix it. I have an old restoration kit that uses a rough sandpaper and then you gradually switch to a finer one, but it's really old. Thanks!
Old 11-04-2011, 03:55 PM
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Waiz
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Buy a new restoration kit and give it a go.
Old 11-04-2011, 04:03 PM
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Cux350z
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did you ever have over lays? Looks like stretch cracks.
Old 11-04-2011, 08:55 PM
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CleanFairladyZ
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The car had an old clear bra on it from the previous owner. As a part of it, the headlights had a real thick clear bra on them. (It's thin on the hood and bumper but the ones on the headlights were like 4 mm thick). I took them off and used goo gone for the residue. You think that could have something to do with it?

Last edited by CleanFairladyZ; 11-04-2011 at 08:56 PM.
Old 11-04-2011, 09:15 PM
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PrimeX
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I would think so. How long was it on? It does look like stretch cracks to me.
Old 11-05-2011, 12:19 AM
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xpertool
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Oh man that is a stretch crack for sure I have protective overlay in blue tint color on my 08 Nismo and mine has that same stretch crack.
Old 11-05-2011, 10:49 AM
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CleanFairladyZ
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Yea they were on for quite a while :/ Is there any way to fix stretch cracks?
Old 03-04-2012, 07:15 AM
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BRIANZ1
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Default Headlight Restoration

hey people thought i would share my sucsess with this meguiars headlight restoration kit. I tried a buffing brand before but only worked a little bit, but this one works 100% using sand paper 1000 and 3000 then buff and uv protect. I did not take before pic but check it out Headlight Restoration-sdc11022.jpg
Old 03-04-2012, 12:45 PM
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Mcutali
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nice
Old 03-04-2012, 12:52 PM
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mr. sparco
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Nice work.
Old 03-04-2012, 01:04 PM
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bmccann101
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once you sand the UV layer off the OEM lens, you will be restoring them far more rapidly.

I looked FAR into restoration and found that it si only temporary at best..

just be prepared to clean and polish them often from here on out as the UV sprays and sealers that are available are really only counter measures.. i wont say they dont work, but they surely dont "seal" anything.. and offer as temporary as a protection to uv as any spray wax does for paint. looks good thio of course, just wanted to add so ppl are aware of what sanding the uv hardcoat off their lenses gets them into.

as an additional note, DEPO brand lenses can be taken off 03-05 halogen replacement models and stuck on any model year HID headlight.. UV hardcoat isnt as good as OEM, but it will at least not be sanded down light.. i found mine for 176 bucks shipped and just swapped lenses right out.
Old 03-04-2012, 01:13 PM
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BRIANZ1
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im prepared to do this up to twice a year or so but my lights were in bad shape so i will keep applying the uv protection and let you know how long it last.
Old 03-04-2012, 01:27 PM
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hyuk28719
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Originally Posted by bmccann101
once you sand the UV layer off the OEM lens, you will be restoring them far more rapidly.

I looked FAR into restoration and found that it si only temporary at best..

just be prepared to clean and polish them often from here on out as the UV sprays and sealers that are available are really only counter measures.. i wont say they dont work, but they surely dont "seal" anything.. and offer as temporary as a protection to uv as any spray wax does for paint. looks good thio of course, just wanted to add so ppl are aware of what sanding the uv hardcoat off their lenses gets them into.

as an additional note, DEPO brand lenses can be taken off 03-05 halogen replacement models and stuck on any model year HID headlight.. UV hardcoat isnt as good as OEM, but it will at least not be sanded down light.. i found mine for 176 bucks shipped and just swapped lenses right out.

This. I swapped to Depo lenses and for $176 it is great mod.
Old 03-04-2012, 03:58 PM
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Mine have looked like new with a simple polish with megs 105 and 205 with some sealant for 6+ months.. for 5 minutes work.
Old 03-04-2012, 04:12 PM
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bmccann101
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For sure..only posted my reply so noobs etc would know the other side of the coin if they did this as reccomended. In az..most lights die very very fast..even oem.. sounds like many if you do the upkeep... just good to know that once your sanded..you're effectively riding bareback is all.. haha
Old 03-04-2012, 05:37 PM
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True story, I actually tried to meguires kit first, and then the mothers kit, then I finally got an orbital and just polished them myself. Worked wonders and literally took a few minutes.
Old 03-04-2012, 06:32 PM
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nice job. i was doubtful at first about that kit as well.
Old 03-05-2012, 03:56 AM
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Diabolik350
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Looks good man. I tried the 3M sanding kit on my GTI and it didn't help out a whole lot. I used the Mothers kit on my 350 and it worked great. I don't mind buffin' those things once a month or every other month to keep em nice and shiny.
Old 03-05-2012, 05:28 PM
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restoring the headlights is something I hate the most, nice job!

- Ben
Old 07-15-2012, 09:50 AM
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TravisFTW
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Default restoring headlights

what is the best way to do this?

mine have light scratches on the lens which make them appear foggy.

i've google'd and youtube'd this like crazy and see so many diffrent ways. since i am a completely n00b i do not know which is the best way.

thanks guys!


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