EK Civic Headlight Restoration

[KazkaseRo]

Hey guys,

I noticed after quite a few months of daily exposure to the elements, the plastic headlights on my gf's EK Civic were pretty heavily oxidized and needed a bit of TLC. Apart from looking ugly, I noticed that the light projected at night was getting quite dim, especially in wet weather.

I've put this thread together, detailing the steps that I took to clear up the 'cloudiness' which often results as a result of prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. I also experienced this with my S15 and noticed that a lot of grey imports from Japan often have yellowing, cloudy and faded headlights. I hope that some of you will benefit from this or at least find it interesting....:)

First, here are a few shots of the headlights just after I washed down the car and hand dried it.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_0982.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_0984.jpg

This photo really highlights just how bad it can look from some angles...

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_0985.jpg

Depending on how bad the condition of the lights are, you can choose to either use a light abrasive compound combined with hand application via a microfibre towel or suitable hand applicator or a stronger abrasive compound with a suitable polishing pad applied by machine. In this instance, I've chosen to restore the headlights with a Random Orbital machine and a mixture of pads and compounds to acheive the desired result.

My next step was to tape up the surrounds. I used a low-stick 3M masking tape (also known as 'blue tape' or 'painter's tape') to ensure that it would come off without leaving any sticky adhesive residue behind or worse, lifting any of the paintwork along with it.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_0986.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_0987.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_0989.jpg

Next, I used what was left over of my Meguire's clay bar and some Dodo Juice - Born Slippy clay bar lubricant to effectively remove any surface contaminants on the headlights. You could already tell the difference once the contaminants were removed.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_0990.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_0991.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_0994.jpg

Now that we had a clean surface to work with, it was time to bring out the machine! For this particular job I opted to use my Festool ETS 150/5 Random Orbital polisher.
To remove as much of the yellowy, cloudy oxidation as possible I chose to use a high cut 6" Festool wool pad in combination with some Menzerna Power Finish PO 203S.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_0997.jpg

The result, as can be seen by the following photo was indredible...

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_1001.jpg

To finish it off nicely, I used a 6" Festool Finishing Pad in combination with Menzerna Final Finish Hi Cut PO106FF just to give it a final finishing polish and glossy look.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_1000.jpg

I was extremely happy with the results.

Before:

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_0982.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_0985.jpg

After:

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_1003.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_1007.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_1008.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_1009.jpg

To ensure the longevity of this new crystal clear finish, I protected the headlights with a very thinly applied light coating of carnauba wax. Weapon of choice for this mini DIY project was Dodo Juice - Rainforest Rub applied lightly with a foam applicator, allowed to haze for 5-10 minutes, then carefully removed with a soft, plush microfibre cloth. Coz I'm anal, I applied a second very light coat 24 hours later just to ensure added protection and to help the water bead of it nicely in the wet.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_1010.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_1011.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_1012.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_1013.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_1014.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj24/Kazkasero/IMG_1015.jpg

All up, the job took me about 30-45 minutes, but standing back and looking at the finished results it was definately worth the effort put in. Along with the added protection, it will be quite a while till I'll have to revisit the headlights again.

I hope that you guys found this useful and if you have any questions, please feel free to PM me.

Cheers,

Lionel.

[chauster]

I did this last week. Here's something, just rub the headlights back with 1500wet then mask the surrounds then use the buffer with cutters on a lambswool buff. Polish if needed. Takes about 5 mins

[KazkaseRo]

I did this last week. Here's something, just rub the headlights back with 1500wet then mask the surrounds then use the buffer with cutters on a lambswool buff. Polish if needed. Takes about 5 mins

Thanks Chauster, I used to skip the wax/sealant but found that they yellowed in as little as 2-3 months... =( now that I apply 1-2 coats of wax on top after restoring them, I found that they last waaaaayyy longer.

[DC2-PWR]

Wow!!!!!!!

[ej8]

Ive used metal polish before but daaaamn that looks mint!

[KazkaseRo]

Wow!!!!!!!


Ive used metal polish before but daaaamn that looks mint!

Cheers guys... =)

[tiksie]

Saw this car yesterday at adams house, good job man :)

[mao]

I like!

[KazkaseRo]

Saw this car yesterday at adams house, good job man :)

Cheers, yeah the gf went clubbin with Julz lol


I like!

Thanks... =D

[tiksie]

Yeah I know :D

I went skiing for a bit

[DC2-PWR]

just bought the same products, just hope i get the same results LOL.

can't get over this diy

[KazkaseRo]

just bought the same products, just hope i get the same results LOL.

can't get over this diy

Thanks bro.... PM if you have any questions, curious to see how you go....!

[KazkaseRo]

Yeah I know :D

I went skiing for a bit

LOL! I didn't get this till my gf told me... =P

[_OnEvIa_]

Ive used metal polish before but daaaamn that looks mint!

+1 metal polish works!!

[CivicEGSI]

Wow thats mad!!!!!!!!

[kimang]

wat happens if u dont have a polish machine thingy?

i have to do this, but dont have equip? and i ceeb paying 100 for someone else to do it

[DarkAgent]

Toothpaste...that is all.

[IV73CI]

Toothpaste...that is all.

did you use a toothbrush as well? LOL ... :P

[Newtype]

beautiful work, avacado works too if your poor =P

[TGW92]

beautiful work, avacado works too if your poor =P

mightycarmods did this :)

avocado for the win!!!