Can I Get My Headlights Refinished Professionally?

Eurythmian said:
Is this even something which is available?

I have done the a total of three times now and personally I'm sick of doing it. I want it done professionally and back to factory standards.

If I can... how do I go about finings someone to do it?
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I'm not sure how well they since I haven't seen a finished product yet but the Walmart that I have been using for batteries, tires & oil changes (And they have been pretty decent) offers a head light service for $39.95. I didn't have much time the last I was in there to ask what all they do. I'm tempted to check on what they do and what product they use.
 
im tellin ya.. the 3m kit with the spirits mix does wonders....
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KStromberg said:
Have you ever tried the Crystal View Headlight kit? I bought mine at Walmart but I believe you can also find it at CVS and other stores. It's $20 and comes in a foil looking pouch about 4"x6" It beats any other method I have used including polishing methods. The final step of the Crystal View kit actually uses a fast drying compound that is clear and dries fast to replace the UV coating that wore off and made your headlights look crappy in the first place. If this is an issue on the outside of the lenses, I would highly consider this kit. You can also check out some videos on youtube of people using the product.
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Hey thanks - gonna look for this tonight. I've sanded and used the Spar Poly/Mineral Spirits method and it turns yellow and chips off very easily. I'm just tired of it. There has to be a better way.

Thanks again.
 
Eurythmian said:
Hey thanks - gonna look for this tonight. I've sanded and used the Spar Poly/Mineral Spirits method and it turns yellow and chips off very easily. I'm just tired of it. There has to be a better way.

Thanks again.
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If you buy the Crystal View kit, let's see some pics when you are done. ;)
 
I did use the Crystal View kit and it does work as advertised. It's not as glossy as I was wanting but it does work like they it does. I will take some quality photos and post them ASAP.

I guess I sanded a little too aggressively at some point. My lenses are a little hazy but significantly better. The Crystal View UV coating goes on with a milky blue tint to it and then dries clear. Pretty cool stuff. I actually bought two kits at WalMart (one for each side) and used all the UV coating. I'm pretty happy with the result. I just hope it doesn't chip and peel like the Spar Polyurethane/Mineral Spirit mix did. It's definitely not yellow like the Spar is. Goes on milky/blue and dries clear.

One thing I did was switched from the supplied towelettes in the kit to a micro fiber towel. The supplied cloths caused tiny bubbles during application and when I used a micro fiber cloth it worked perfect.
 
Hmm... I may have to use the Crystal View kit if the spirits/poly setup doesn't do it for me.
 
nelliott500 said:
Hmm... I may have to use the Crystal View kit if the spirits/poly setup doesn't do it for me.
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If you do a lot of hiway driving like I do... the Spar Poly/Mineral Spirits mix chips from bugs and road chips extremely easily. Within a one year period, I treated my headlights 3 times this way. I simply got sick of it. Plus is does yellow. You will see it over time - turning yellow.

The Crystal View was on sale at WalMart for 16.00. Go check it out. You will be happy you did.
 
I don't do a lot of highway driving other than a trip to PA and back twice a year. I've already got the materials for the poly setup, so I'm up in the air. I'll probably go with the Crystal View. The Crystal View kit held up better to highway driving?
 
So far it has... but I have not had it on there very long. Anyone else out there who has used the Crystal View Kits - how are they holding up?
 
I was given some Fast Brite headlight restoration stuff today for free. Anybody use it before?
 
I’ve been in this thread as I’m interested in using a clear coat for the first time. I’ve polished motorcycle windshields, cases, carb parts, and a lot of other metal items over the years. I’ve done a number of headlights too, but never clear coated them.

While I have a 3M kit somewhere, over the years so far I have gone though sanding and polishing using paint materials. I just did my wife’s LS headlights by first hand sanding with 600 grit wet, then 1000, 1500 and 2000. Then I throw some 3M scratch remover compound onto an orange pad with my P-C orbital and polish. At that point it is pretty good, but this time I followed with Meguiar's 105 and 205 on finer pads. Not sure they have made that much of a difference. I really didn’t go that deep with the sanding as I’m planning to revisit this when it gets warm out and can clear coat.

One of the items not mentioned on this site but has been over on Autopia and some other detailing forums are products under the ReNuLite name. These were only available to pro shops in the past and the kits are expensive but good for up to 20 uses. A number of the pro shops had commented on these forums that the product was very good if not the best. Since I could not purchase it, I did not pay that much attention, until now.

The Malco group bought this company last fall and it appears it’s now in Ford’s “Rotunda” catalog as an approved product for the dealers. It also looks like it’s available for on-line purchase.

http://www.prestaproducts.com/admin...136055_Rotunda_renulite_restoration_flyer.pdf

http://www.prestaproducts.com/renulite.aspx

I might just get the clear coat during the spring as I don’t need the entire kit, which is expensive.
 
If the ReNuLite works as well as it says it does then maybe it's worth it. That's assuming that it knocks the socks off any other method out there. I know I'll be looking to restore mine this summer as the "cancer of the headlight" is starting where eye brows would be.
 
Im noticing mine starting to show some signs of wear.
 
I'm really surprised that the LS headlights do this as my '03 F350's headlights are fine. I guess as with all plastic parts on the LS FoMoCo chose the wrong supplier for the platform.
 
Walmart does the headlight restoration too, at least ours does here in Oklahoma wouldn't hurt to check them out.
 
TooManyToys said:
I'm really surprised that the LS headlights do this as my '03 F350's headlights are fine. I guess as with all plastic parts on the LS FoMoCo chose the wrong supplier for the platform.
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No...Trucks and suv's sit higher and the headlights are less prone to rock chips.

The rock chips are what take the uv protection off which cause them to haze.

My fogs were trashed compared to my headlights...but thats normal because fogs are right by the ground.
 
KStromberg said:
Have you ever tried the Crystal View Headlight kit? I bought mine at Walmart but I believe you can also find it at CVS and other stores.
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does anyone no if there is enough product to do both headlights?? or would i need to buy 2 of them??
 
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