DIY: Headlight Lens Restoration

[lenny]

DISCLAIMER:
Wetsanding and Powertools should not be exercised on a vehicle by ANYONE but a professional. WORK AT YOUR OWN RISK

Okay, this seems to be a common problem with MK4 Jetta headlights I've noticed. The lens begins to fog up with road debris, fallout, and surface marring which really cuts down on night vision. There is a fix though and this is it.

Tools needed:
800 grit sand paper
1000 grit sand paper
1500 grit sand paper
Some sort of wet-sanding liquid (water, instant detailer, a light degreaser)
Cutting Compound of your choice
Polishing Compound of your choice

Optional tools:
Machine buffer, Rotary, or DA with pads (I used a PC7424 with 2 different levels of CCS pads)... Power tools will cut down on work time/effort required by exponential amounts
Various assortments of Torque (T25, T27) if you will be removing the headlights/bumper-cover
Some sort of paper-tape if not removing the headlights/bumper-cover

Here is a close up in detail of a lens that needs restoration. (this car only has 50,xxx miles but the headlights are subpar)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3019.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3020.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3018.jpg

Step one: If removing the headlight is not an option, be sure to tape around the lens to protect the paint on the vehicle (we will be sanding). Save yourself some time and effort by taking this step

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3021.jpg

Step Two:

Begin wetsanding the headlights using the most course grit first (i started with 1000 grit but 800 grit would have been better). Be sure to go in a back in forth or up and down motion, DO NOT MAKE CIRCLES!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3023.jpg

Step Three:

Progressively move towards a finer grit of sand paper until you've reached the finest grit you have (I finished with 1500). The headlights will begin to haze over. DO NOT BE ALARMED, this is good. We will buff that out later

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3022.jpg

Step Four:

Use a rubbing compound to slim down on the scratches/haze that have developed as a result of wetsanding. Again, go back and forth, DO NOT MAKE CIRCLES. (I used a PC7424 with Lake Country CCS pads (yellow and orange) and Pinnacle XMT#4)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3024.jpg

Step Five:

Use a polishing compound to get the finished look. (I used the PC7424 with a Lake Country White CCS and 3M Finnesse-IT2 Finishing Polish)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3028.jpg

(I opted to remove the headlights from the vehicle as I was not acheiving the results I desired while the lights were installed on the vehicle. The front bumper cover must be removed before you can remove the headlights)

Before and After:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3026.jpg

After Pictures

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3027.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3028.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3029.jpg

After a bath and ready for customer delivery

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3030-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/lensch09/IMG_3031-1.jpg

Happy Detailing
-Dan

[lreven]

Nice job Dan.

I had to do that to the '99 Passat's as well. I think I did them at 170k or so....they need it done again since it's over 230k.

[1FastB5]

there is nothing worse than dull and cloudy headlights, its def. one of the biggest disadvantages of plastic headlights! good write up!


or you can do what i did and just upgrade the headlight all together :D

[SirRangeALot]

there is nothing worse than dull and cloudy headlights, its def. one of the biggest disadvantages of plastic headlights! good write up!

:word: Nice job, Dan. He did a great job with my lights too, they were getting BAD. :tu:


or you can do what i did and just upgrade the headlight all together :D

Yeah, I'll be doing that down the line also. One of my headlights gets condensation on the inside...it drives me nuts!! :mad:

[readimag]

I wish I was back in IA so i could get this awesome detailing to my car, all we have in GA is shops that do dub'd out g rides and 2 wheel drive suv's and trucks that i didnt know they made till i came south.

[jdgomez]

I really hate it when headlights get all cloudy. Last time mine went cloudy, I bought new ones. Would have saved a bit if I tried to fix it using this DIY.

Really good write up. Thanks for posting.



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