Bad Headlight Lens Advice

[Cr0wbar]

Hi guys,
A while ago my car took some front-end damage and I was forced to source some replacement parts very quickly. I got a pair of headlights from a fellow OzHonda member, however they're not in great condition. I would have shopped around a bit more but I didn't have the time.
Anyway, here is the picture of my lense.

http://photoserver.ws/images/BYyN507501216723b_thumb.jpg (http://photoserver.ws/view.php?BYyN507501216723b)
(Also pictured: me and my Galaxy S3).

Is it possible to fix such damage, or am I better off getting an expensive replacement. I don't suppose any places sell just a lens replacement? What is my best option?
The car is a pre-facelift Integra DC2, by the way.

TL: DR: What do?
Thanks guys.

[curtis265]

Pic doesn't work. I'm assuming it's just headlight yellowing? Sand it back and polish it

[void-]

as per curtis.. its only scuff marks... sand it back and polish it.. it will be sweet no need to pay for a replacement..

all the best

regards,
Ryan

[DreadAngel]

Buddy, try what Curtis/Ryan suggested, a small percentage will come out good for a long time however if its anything like the AE111s I've worked on, you have to keep repeating the process every 3-4mths depending how agitated you get over the crappy looks. Basically the outer coating on the plastic lens wears off, just like clear coat on your painted panels and it oxidises/fade in the case of paint.

When you do it once or twice, then see if you feel its worth it for a replacement or not =)

[Winter]

Go to supercheapauto or repco and buy headlight restorer kit
Works wonders with my headlights

[Cr0wbar]

Oh the link doesn't work? Here's the direct link. Sorry if the image doesn't automatically resize.

http://photoserver.ws/images/BYyN507501216723b.jpg

I did think about using a restoration kit. but looking at how bad the lense looks, I wasn't sure if it'd actually help. But if you guys think it will help somewhat then I'll try it. Thanks for the quick responses.

[androo]

It will help as the kit is essentially some sand paper, polish, and depending on the kit, some clear coat. As you would know, with sand paper, you will be taking off as much as you want (time + effort). Just keep sanding until it is smooth to touch then start polishing. While you're at it, consider sanding off the markings as it will give you a much cleaner look (though leaving the circle towards the middle isn't a bad idea as if you get the professionally leveled, they will use it as the 'focus' point. Not necessary though).

I recommend getting a kit that includes the clear coat (often called the 'protection coat' - Same crap) as this will prevent you having to do it every few months. You can make your own kit to save money by buying some 400 grit, 800 grit, 1200 grit and 2000 grit (feel free to skip some of these steps however I'm a bit OCD. I even start with the 800 grit even though it takes longer I prefer to be safe), and some plastic clear coat. Everything can be found at bunnings.

Good luck and post up your results! Even if you ended up just buying some. Really though, it's honestly not much work at all. Get a mate to hang out with or listen to some music. Will be done before you know it!

[Cr0wbar]

Thanks for the great tip there androo. I actually had my headlights professionally aligned today by a mate who's an apprentice mechanic. Free haha. I'll go over to SuperCheapAuto and pick up a restoration kit and post back with how it goes. Uni exams are next week but who cars, I'll probably do it on Friday and put in as much time and effort as I need. Thanks again.

[TbM]

my ek had that on one of its head lights when i got it, i just wet sanded from 1200-1500-2000 grit with a soft block then polished with meguiars plastx then waxed it

[Cr0wbar]

my ek had that on one of its head lights when i got it, i just wet sanded from 1200-1500-2000 grit with a soft block then polished with meguiars plastx then waxed it

That's great to hear. Makes me feel a little more confident about it haha. By the way, does anybody know what may have caused such damage? It looks pretty bad, but I bought them like this so I didn't cause the damage.

[Symphorced]

If the DIY kit doesn't help, hit up Headlights Plus in Moorabbin. Bloke there does great work on restoring headlights.

[JDM DC2R]

Id use a fine polish or swirl remover polish!

[GU357]

I did think about using a restoration kit. but looking at how bad the lense looks, I wasn't sure if it'd actually help. But if you guys think it will help somewhat then I'll try it. Thanks for the quick responses.

IF u put the effort in with one of those restoring kits you can get some amazing results.
i restored my pretty much completely yellowed jazz headlights with the, just sand with rough for a good while then use the smoother for aslong as you can bear and then use the nano polish stuff (try and buy the brand that advertises that it has nano polish technology)
https://www.malz.com.au/images/rp_280x280/Product/14004/GLAA4619.jpg?ts=1345098404
this is the shit!

[GU357]

That's great to hear. Makes me feel a little more confident about it haha. By the way, does anybody know what may have caused such damage? It looks pretty bad, but I bought them like this so I didn't cause the damage.

usually just wear from driving around. Headlights have a thin protective layer over them, eventually it strips back and the sand and daily elements really hit it hard.

[Cr0wbar]

I see what you mean, thanks for your inputs guys. Today I bought a Turtle Wax restoration kit. It was the only one left at my local super cheap auto so I just got that. I'll sand it for as long as I can and hopefully I see some slight results. I'll post back when I try it out tomorrow.

[GU357]

dunno if they have malz where u are, but if they do you can get these kits for 30$

[PHO]

If the DIY kit doesn't help, hit up Headlights Plus in Moorabbin. Bloke there does great work on restoring headlights.

This, AMAZING work. Looks brand new when he's done, and it stays brand new for a really long time. Very good job on R34 Xenons.

[Cr0wbar]

Ok guys so this morning (in Melbourne rain) I tried the Turtle Wax Restoration kit. I didn't really expect it to help very much as the sandpaper pads supplied are quite soft. I was expecting something a lot rougher. When comparing the new photo (below) with the old photo (last page) I can't really see much improvement. I can see possibly the cracks are a little less bold, but they're still very much there.

http://photoserver.ws/images/4h4550775fa8e55c1.jpg

That was only with one hit of the kit. I'm thinking I may either try a different kit or just drop in to Bunnings and do it myself. Considering the response, I may also shoot down to Moorabbin and have a chat to the guys there. It's about a 25 minute drive so it's not too bad. If he's going to ask a lot of money then I may just try DIY again, but if he's reasonable then I'll get it done there.
It's also worth mentioning that I used the kit on my other headlight which wasn't cracked, just very foggy. It did help quite a bit and cleared it up quite nicely.

Anyway, thanks for all your help guys. I've given +rep to most of you haha. I'll post back next week when I see the headlights guys. Unfortunaly I've postponed uni exam study too much as it is hahaha.

[GU357]

i think foggyness is caused by oxidation so the softer products are able to scratch it just far back enough to rid the yellow.
but this will take a fair amount of effort to get rid of those scratches. but it is possible. as i said before mine were just as bad. and then i used that product i linked above, since it also comes with some "nana technology agent" it fills in the very small stuff and smooths it over to a very good finish

[Apu]

Can't tell if it's the plastic that's crazing or is it just to top layer. You have to make that judgement yourself. If the lens is crazing, then I'd go for a new light...or live with it.

[PHO]

I may also shoot down to Moorabbin and have a chat to the guys there. It's about a 25 minute drive so it's not too bad. If he's going to ask a lot of money then I may just try DIY again, but if he's reasonable then I'll get it done there.

I'll let you know, he's expensive, but you seriously do pay for quality. He will take apart the whole headlight, restore everything so its looking brand new, protect it so the finish stays (made for aussie weather, not jap weather), and sealed up 100% properly. You could ask if he could do it cheaper by just touching the lens only, but i'm not too sure. Friend has done it on his R34, had them for over a year now, his headlights are still 100% clear, they look amazing.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/164887_10150166590769409_7437793_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/382605_10150700808789409_1690409806_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/390190_10150602145354409_1261841587_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/392717_10150650785214409_1523807780_n.jpg




$330 for a full restoration for DC integra headlights says the site. I'll be getting my EK9 ones done with the guy later on, as previous owner burnt the lens by chucking HID's in.

[GU357]

why post 4 pictures of the same vehicle? just to show off the headlights, surely one would of sufficed ahaha

[PHO]

why post 4 pictures of the same vehicle? just to show off the headlights, surely one would of sufficed ahaha

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[GU357]

ohwell its a nice looking car

[Sleepy.]

Mothers plastic polish from supercheap or repco.
Works all the time, no need for sanding.

Even metal polish works as well

[Cr0wbar]

Thanks again for all the comments guys. They're all very helpful.

@ GU357. Ok cool, if you think it'll help a bit more by filling in some of the cracks then I'll give it a try. I don't mind trying a few different kits, it'll still work out cheaper than new headlights haha.
EDIT: Wow that stuff's expensive. Looks like it'll cost me at least ~$40.

@ Apu. It's kinda hard to tell. It looks like it's only the top layer but there are so many cracks that it's hard to tell. I'd say there are a few that are further down in to the plastic but I can live with a few.

@ PHO. Thanks for the images, I can see he does do a superb job. I'm not really looking to spend that amount of money though. As nice as it would be to get them fully restored, I can't really afford to spend $300 on restoring them haha. But I may still see them and see what they say about restoring just the single lense or at least improving it a bit. Nice skyline too haha.

[GU357]

i tried using polish on mine, and light abbrasive products only good for scratches that arent deep. mine was quite pitted and that 35-40$ kit worked WONDERS!!

[TbM]

you need to wet sand the light a lot more, once all the peeling/scratches are gone then you start with the polish.



Edit: found some pics of mine, sorry for the dodgy pics but you can see how damaged my lens was and how it turned out after wet sanding then polishing.

before
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd458/TbMindustrys/IMAG0026.jpg

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd458/TbMindustrys/IMAG0016.jpg


after

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd458/TbMindustrys/IMAG0453.jpg

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd458/TbMindustrys/IMAG0452.jpg

[PHO]

Pope for ICE Mod.

[Cr0wbar]

@ TbM. Wow looks great. I'll knock my exams off this week and I'll get right on it.

@ GU357. Ok awesome, I'll still give it a shot then. Lets's hope it's worth it haha.

I'll get on this later in the week and post back with some results.