Cloudy lens after 3M headlight kit

Hey guys. I just completed the 3M headlight lens protocol and I'm not real pleased with the outcome. Although it did remove the haze buildup, it left the lens cloudy looking. Has anybody else run into this issue and what did you do about it? I'm about to just order some aftermarket lights to replace them. I'll add a link to the ones I was looking at.

 

Too much pressure and not enough water on the last rounds of sanding perhaps? What did they look like before?

 

Those kits are a hit and miss and I am sure you can find 1000 threads on headlight restoration. You may need to sand longer and compound/polish longer and if you have an orbital buffer, this will make it a lot of easier.

I just used 2000 grit sand paper with an orbital sander after I taped off everything so I would not damage any paint. Follow it up with 3000 grit with the orbital sander. I then took out my orbital buffer and did 2 passes with a good compound designed for a buffer. Next, I did 2 passes with a polish on the lens. I followed it up with a good sealant and they looked brand new. Also seal/wax it every time you wax the truck because you removed all UVA protectant with this method.

Nothing is better than stock OEM headlights, do not give up yet

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm what was the process you did? I wet sanded mine, then used a compound, then polish.

 

Go back through the sanding again you don't need hard pressure. I usually work my way up to 2000 grit. Then I use a light polishing compound then a buffing compound to further refine it.

 

I followed the instructions to the letter. Perhaps I just used too much pressure during the sanding phases. I'll have to go back and try the sanding part again and see what happens. It's kind of hard to tell in this picture but there was a distinct haze on the top third of the light. The passenger side was worse than the driver's side.

 

I think I clearly didn't do something right. Maybe it was the wet sand part. I haven't done much of that before.

 

Compounding after the wet sanding is the most important part. Once it was all polished etc I put 3m Professional Clear Bra over them.

 

That hazing could possibly be on the inside of the lens which won't come out. Sometimes lenses will haze on the inside.

 

Good to know, thanks you

 

Yes, but in this case that is not what happened. The bottom of the lens prior to sanding was very clear, it was just the top portion that was hazed over. Now though the whole thing is cloudy which makes me belie d I did something wrong.

 

^^^ This. It's important to remember that if a lens gets really, really bad, it's probably beyond saving. First rule of detailing: "We can heal the sick. We can't raise the dead."

Pics without the rain drops - before and after - would really help too.

 

Get the Sylvania kit. It left my 2011 housings looking like new headlights.

 

Yea I apologize about the crappy picture. I didn't think to wipe them off first, I just quick wanted to snap a picture as a reference.

 

I still have several pads and materials left from the 3M kit, so I'm going to go back and do a second round at in a day or two. I think the wet sanding part is where I messed up. And maybe the compound part too. This is a learning experience for sure. On a brighter note, I did replace the headlight and foglight bulbs today too with Sylvania Ultra's. Makes quite a difference!

 

The real key to any headlight restoration is stepping down in aggressiveness - first in the wet sanding, then in the polishing steps. Remember, you're removing layers of the surface and replacing an oxidized surface with scratches - of finer and finer grades. Be patient and you should do just fine. Also remember to coat them with something when you're done to prevent future oxidation.

 

The kits are a waste of money IMO period. Pack of multi grit wet/dry sandpaper (I typically go up to 2000grit) then a bottle of buffing compound and polishing compound.
Go up incrimentally with the sandpaper making sure you remove all the previous sandpaper scratches. I typically never start below 500 grit unless they are Chrysler bad. After you finish the 2000 make sure you rinse and get all the particulate off well. Then use the light polishing compound again until you cant see the 2000 grit scratches then use the final buffing compound to really get a shine.

 

"Chrysler bad" Thanks for the suggestions man

 

Dude you gotta start with like 10 grit on them they suck

 

Hand polished ? Seems like not buffed out enough. Use a liquid polishing compoud and machine polisher or drill with a foam pad. Way better results and a lot faster . Dont know if you ever color sanded and buffed but same process .

Went friends house oneday and he had some left over clear . So went home and cleared .