Headlight Restoration :-) :-) :-)

[PolandDogs]

Had some decent weather over the weekend still in WV and thought I would polish my headlights on my daily driver a 2004 Toyota Tacoma, they were starting to look pretty bad and I have never touched them before and I thought they ended up coming out great.

 

My attack method-

 

-Clay Bar'd with Detail Spray

-Drill with Microfiber Pad then Foam Pad with Paint Correcting Polish

-Drill with Microfiber Pad then Foam Pad with Paint Finishing Polish

-Quick Sealant

-Finished with Americana Wax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[pirahnah3]

They look great, just gotta keep some coating on them now to help protect them from the elements out there. 

[LT1xL82]

Really looks nice!

 

What microfiber and foam pads did you use?

[rkj4243]

When Matt mentions using the drill and pads to polish the headlights, it should be safe to assume that he used the 4" drill backing plate, and 4" Orange Microfiber pads to start, and possibly the orange or even white foam pads to finish.

 

You can find the drill backing plate and 4" pads here on the Adam's site under the "accessories" tab, link below.

 

http://adamspolishes.com/shop/accessories/buffing-pads-applicators.html

[PolandDogs]

When Matt mentions using the drill and pads to polish the headlights, it should be safe to assume that he used the 4" drill backing plate, and 4" Orange Microfiber pads to start, and possibly the orange or even white foam pads to finish.

 

You can find the drill backing plate and 4" pads here on the Adam's site under the "accessories" tab, link below.

 

http://adamspolishes.com/shop/accessories/buffing-pads-applicators.html

Yes, you are exactly right! :-)

[LT1xL82]

What threw me was "...-Drill with Microfiber Pad then Foam Pad with Paint Finishing Polish...". (Adams doesn't have a white MF pad.)

[pirahnah3]

They used to. If you watch one of the old videos of Adam doing some scratch removal he uses them. 

 

http://adamspolishes.com/video?video_id=20

 

This vid, round about 11min in. 

Edited December 1, 2015 by pirahnah3

[Mazzdog]

Can you use a Rupes mini with 4" or is a drill a more appropriate tool for this process? Starting to get some slight discoloration on my headlights and I'd like to tackle it soon to get ahead of it.

[Dan@Adams]

You should be able to use the Rupes Mini no problem to polish headlights in a similar manner as using a drill with the 4" drill backing plate adapter. Just make sure to give some cool down time in between polishing to keep the pads and backing plate on the Mini cool and keep the machine moving around the headlight so as to not generate too much heat in one section of the lens.

[Dan@Adams]

Oh, and very nice job on the headlights Matt! They look much better and should light up the road more now too!

[PolandDogs]

Oh, and very nice job on the headlights Matt! They look much better and should light up the road more now too!

 

Thank you! They at least look alot better now...

[CMDChase]

Great job Matt. I still have some of the old Severe Swirl Remover and some green 4" pads that I use on headlights. The difference is amazing.

[Chris@Adams]

Nice save!

[Abraham5G]

Nice work man! Can I do this using a Porter Cable and 5.5" Adam's Orange and White pads instead of a drill?

[blcksilv08]

Nice work man! Can I do this using a Porter Cable and 5.5" Adam's Orange and White pads instead of a drill?

If you can get the pad on the light, but you have to watch for edges. I've done several sets and most have been smaller lights so I use either a drill or Rupes mini.

[SSilver07]

those look great!

[Abraham5G]

I need to do this on my dad's F150 and my sisters Focus, but only have the porter cable

[PolandDogs]

I used a drill and the drill adapter, so I would only have 1 pad going...I have a cyclo, plus a drill spins faster and for headlights you don't have to worry about burning through clearcut or anything

[FrozenWS6]

Correct, you don't have to worry about burning clear coat. But if it as spins too fast it will build heat and melt the lens. So be sure to keep it cool.

Edited December 4, 2015 by FrozenWS6