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3M Headlight Lens Restoration System

josemolina2008

josemolina2008

New member
Who has used this before? I bought it today and tomorrow I'll be applying it to my headlights. Any tips or things to look out for?

3mlightrestoration.jpg
 


make sure you have a really good drill. I used it on with a crappy drill, and it didn't do anything.... I later learned my drill wasn't performing all that well...

So, I used a polishing pad and rubbing compound on an awesome drill, and it worked wonders!
 
SlowRR said:
Show us some before and after pics, I'm intrested to see if it works.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'll take some before and after pictures.

03GTPLE said:
make sure you have a really good drill. I used it on with a crappy drill, and it didn't do anything.... I later learned my drill wasn't performing all that well...

So, I used a polishing pad and rubbing compound on an awesome drill, and it worked wonders!
Click to expand...

I got a DeWalt drill so that should be good enough for this but thanks for the tip.
 


This is what your headlight looks like when you take about 1 hour (20-30 minutes each system) use the 3M system (sanding pads) and the Meguier's polishing pad, and rubbing compound/ Meguier's plastic X with a crappy drill:

IMG00146-20100415-1148.jpg


This is what 5 minutes, the Meguier's polishing pad (comes in their headlight kit), air die grinder, and rubbing compound/ Meguier's plastic X. I did not go back and use the sanding discs. You can also use toothpaste.....

IMG00145-20100415-1148.jpg


Is it perfect... naa, but it's a ton better!


...new headlights from Japan, Taiwan, or China (don't remember) can be had from Rock Auto for $35/each.... I shoulda done that in the first place. Pics in another thread from a different member.
 
It works pretty good, but, I had better results from using 2000 grit and 3m's polishing compound. The compound I used is about $35 a bottle, but my neighbor works at a body shop and he had some... some good meguiers compound would work too...
 
Well I had a gift card for walmart and saw that so wanted to try it out. Just trying to make it look a little better till' I can buy my new headlights.
 
brand121 said:
It works pretty good, but, I had better results from using 2000 grit and 3m's polishing compound. The compound I used is about $35 a bottle, but my neighbor works at a body shop and he had some... some good meguiers compound would work too...
Click to expand...
I did the same basic thing. No need for these special kits. I used 1500 then stepped up to 2000 and finished sanding with 3000. After the 3000 it was almost clear. Used some polish on it and it looked better than new. Crystal clear.

Does look like you got good results out of the kit though. How much did that kit cost you?
 
7801MonteMan said:
I did the same basic thing. No need for these special kits. I used 1500 then stepped up to 2000 and finished sanding with 3000. After the 3000 it was almost clear. Used some polish on it and it looked better than new. Crystal clear.
Click to expand...


I've heard some people wet sand them ^^^ that way... did you do it dry or wet? *no dirty comments, best way I could word it*
 


I have the next step up kit from 3M, comes with air orbital sander and air polisher, 500, 800, 1000 and 3000, polishing compound and machine finish compound. 500 dry, 800-1000-3000 wet, and then polishing. If you work your way up to 3000 and polish you will get good results.
 
Ok well I didn't have time to do this today, I might go get some 3000 grit sandpaper and ad an extra step to it then do the rubbing compound.
 
Ok finally had some time to do one headlight today and I didn't get the 3000 grit but regardless it came out great in my opinion. Here's a before and after picture of one, the other is in worse shape and I'll take more pictures of the process.

Before:

before.jpg


After:

after-1.jpg
 


DreadMcLaren said:
^Wow turned out a lot better than I thought it would.

Might need to look into doing this myself...
Click to expand...

Yeah it did it almost looks like a new headlight now, the only thing that I didn't like was that the little alignment post of the headlight kept getting in the way and made it harder to do.
 
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