Old Poop
Active LVC Member
I was showing my hazy, pitted, foggy headlights to a friend of mine and he recommended a kit from 3M that he said just hit the commercial market a couple of months ago. They have sold it as a pro kit for a while to body shops and dealerships and the kit contains the same parts, just not in bulk. He personally guaranteed me that it would remove the pits, the haze, the pitted clear-coat and cure... you get the picture or he would refund my money 100%!
I asked how much for this modern day miracle that would make my headlights look like new? $49.99? $69.99? More?
He looked me straight in the eye and without flinching said... $15.99.
I quickly pushed the moths aside in my wallet and laid down my money and told him to get the refund ready, I would be back in a few hours.
The kit contained a disk for my drill, a foam pad to attach the disks to, sanding disks: 500 grit, 800 grit, 1600 grit, and foam pad impregnated with a compound for wet sanding, a thick foam applicator for applying the 3M lens polish. There were plenty of disks to complete this project, about 10 of each of the sanding disks.
I started with the dry sanders, 500 then 800 then the 1600 followed by the wet sanding and finally the polishing compound. I stood back and thought.. I hope he enjoys that $15.99!
I know that you can find comparable products and sandpaper to do this job but, the kit was so easy to use with all the parts you need and terrific instructions. I haven't had to do any wet-sanding in 35 years and I was a little hesitant to do this but, it is a great kit for a novice or pro.
Make sure you tape off the area around your lights and don't be afraid to double the tape to protect your chrome and paint. I also plan on getting some 16mil lens protectors to keep the headlights in this condition.
Below are some before and after pic's of my 98 Mark VIII.
Hope this helps.
Photo's 1 and 2 Before
Photo 3 cutting with the 500 grit looks scary
Photo 4 Notice the little "islands of white, they are clear-coat residue, keep sanding until that do not appear.
Photo's 5 and 6 The results were better than I could imagine
Photo 7 The 3M card from the packaging Part Number 39008
I asked how much for this modern day miracle that would make my headlights look like new? $49.99? $69.99? More?
He looked me straight in the eye and without flinching said... $15.99.
I quickly pushed the moths aside in my wallet and laid down my money and told him to get the refund ready, I would be back in a few hours.The kit contained a disk for my drill, a foam pad to attach the disks to, sanding disks: 500 grit, 800 grit, 1600 grit, and foam pad impregnated with a compound for wet sanding, a thick foam applicator for applying the 3M lens polish. There were plenty of disks to complete this project, about 10 of each of the sanding disks.
I started with the dry sanders, 500 then 800 then the 1600 followed by the wet sanding and finally the polishing compound. I stood back and thought.. I hope he enjoys that $15.99!
I know that you can find comparable products and sandpaper to do this job but, the kit was so easy to use with all the parts you need and terrific instructions. I haven't had to do any wet-sanding in 35 years and I was a little hesitant to do this but, it is a great kit for a novice or pro.
Make sure you tape off the area around your lights and don't be afraid to double the tape to protect your chrome and paint. I also plan on getting some 16mil lens protectors to keep the headlights in this condition.
Below are some before and after pic's of my 98 Mark VIII.
Hope this helps.
Photo's 1 and 2 Before
Photo 3 cutting with the 500 grit looks scary
Photo 4 Notice the little "islands of white, they are clear-coat residue, keep sanding until that do not appear.
Photo's 5 and 6 The results were better than I could imagine
Photo 7 The 3M card from the packaging Part Number 39008
