repairing hazey headlamps

[arkamelis]

hi all

just wondering if any off yous have a good method of repairing/cleaning the headlamps on w210 cdi . basically mine are looking old and hazey. and i didnt want to pay out for new headlamps when the ones a have work fine, but the plasic lens are looking old, i have read on the net, there is kits you can buy which take you though steps of sanding and using special pastes and you can bring them up like new. has anyone tried and tested this with good results ?

 

[ringway]

Xerapol is a good product.

Some for sale on ebay. Link.

 

[flango]

Xerapol is a good product.

Some for sale on ebay. Link.

You beat me to it mate, thats what we always use the results are absolutely incredible, did my CLK lights perfect, just check the haze is on the outside.

Also I put 2 really bad grooves in the lid of my laptop by catching it with some keys, Xerapol took them straight out it was amazing finish like glass

Website HERE

 

[ringway]

You beat me to it mate

Not really.. I found the product through you a fair while ago.



The only downside was, on my bank statement, there was a payment to "The Scratch Doctor"

 

[flango]

Not really.. I found the product through you a fair while ago.



The only downside was, on my bank statement, there was a payment to "The Scratch Doctor"

Better than "THe Itch Doctor"

 

[ringway]

Better than "THe Itch Doctor"

You missed out a letter B Ian.

 

[flango]

You missed out a letter B Ian.

I got one of those at home thanks


Edit maybe I should have posted that HERE

 

[harry_dhuga]

Xerapol is a good product.

Some for sale on ebay. Link.

I have tried this on my headlights, I didn't find it that great - best way would be to get a electrical sander/buffer on it to really work wonders.

 

[wigs_1]

Is this what you're after??

Audi headlight reconditioning by wetsanding and Rotary (pics inside!! 56K warning) - Detailing World

chris

 

[flango]

I have tried this on my headlights, I didn't find it that great - best way would be to get a electrical sander/buffer on it to really work wonders.

You need more elbow grease, it takes some serious effort, electrical sander

 

[harry_dhuga]

You need more elbow grease, it takes some serious effort, electrical sander

Sorry, not electrical sander but the electrical rotary piece where you can stick the different grade paper onto it.

 

[nullogik]

I've heard good things about the 3M Headlamp Restoration Kit (there are some reviews on the US VW Passat forum). Unfortunately, its not widely available here so you might need to get it off Ebay.com or Amazon.com

3M? Headlight Lens Restoration System - A fast and easy way to restore the clarity back to headlight lenses that have become dull or cloudy over time US 3M

 

[219]

Didn't know the newer ones were plastic , but the glass lenses for older MB's were always available separately , and not that expensive .

Only thing was plastic clips holding them on tended to go brittle and snap easily , but new lenses had clips attached - only a problem if trying to salvage used ones .

 

[arkamelis]

unfortunatly new headlight units are very expensive, £400 ish from euro car parts i was told, thats for the zenon type mind. thing is like i said before theres nothink wrong with the lights just that thay are looking a bit hazey and dated.

i have been in touch with xerapol and after a long chat thay put me onto another product which i will post the name of soon has i carnt think of it right this mo. its a compound type abrasive that you use after some sanding using 2000 grad, this cream takes the scratchies out and with some polising and waxing can bring lights up like new.

 

[arkamelis]

Menzerna Final Finish PO106FA

 

[arkamelis]

the site does allsorts of cleaning products, worth checking out, was reccomended from xerapol.

 

[arkamelis]

getting back to my lights, i have now tried method of sanding down the lens, and got brilliant results from the finish, but units still look a bit dated, i think due to uv and age, i dont think ile get them to look like new, could be the problem inside the unit.

 

[AANDYY]

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/electronics/92266-headlight-polish.html?highlight=polish

 

[arkamelis]

ok so far, i have tried and tested the menzerna super fininsh compound cream from clean ur car site, had brilliant results. i went through a process of using sand papers and the cream on one side and just using the cream on the other side, both lights came out with a very good look, but the one a didnt sand down still had small pitts on the plastic, where has the one i sanded down felt like it was new plastic very smooth. thing is you have to ask yourself, are you going to get your light looking like new, if you car is nine years old the chance is you wont, due to sunlight, uv, and age it woulds be impossible to get them looking like new ones, has the plastic and the inside surfacies woulds have degraded over time, hence a dull type of look. but if the lenses are in a poor condition then i would reccomend sanding down and using cream compound, you will be amazed with the results. if you want any more info please let me know.
matt