Anyone use those headlight restoration kits from crappy tire?

[Scottie]

Do they work good? Are they easy to use?

[m4gician]

Do they work good? Are they easy to use?

Yes and no. Yes they work if used properly, no for the majority of people that use them they don't.

All a kit really is, is wetsanding paper of various grits (1000 - 2000), polishing compound, and wax.

I normally charge $25 per PLASTIC headlamp, simply because of the labour intensive process (even with a machine polisher I use).

What you want to do is (if by hand - recommended for one time jobs) is:

1) wipe down the lens with a alcohol/water solution
2) if you're familiar with wetsanding (bucket of water, drop of soap, etc.) start with the 1000 grit paper, and work in overlapping horizontal and vertical motions. Really work at it,

3) Repeat Step 2 using 1500 and then 2000 grit sand paper.

4) Use polishing compound (for car paint) and apply it in a circular overlapping motion to smooth down the layer sanded by 2000 grit sand paper.

5) After that, (assuming you've checked for smoothness during each step), apply a wax protectant to it.

If you need more details, feel free to PM/E-mail or even ask me to help do it with you if you want.

Cheers.

[DaVibe]

My Dad said he bought something exactly like that at Wal-Mart. He says it did the job for him.

[Scottie]

My Dad said he bought something exactly like that at Wal-Mart. He says it did the job for him.

do you know how bad his covers where mine are on 97 Caravan and are pretty bad?

[DaVibe]

96 Chrysler Intrepid, they were pretty bad. I'm not even sure what happened to get that way, but they were really foggy. They're a lot better, but I wouldn't say it's perfect.

Not miracle workers! It definitely helped though.

[Scottie]

96 Chrysler Intrepid, they were pretty bad. I'm not even sure what happened to get that way, but they were really foggy. They're a lot better, but I wouldn't say it's perfect.

Not miracle workers! It definitely helped though.

ok Thanks I'm not looking to make them look new again just let the light through abit better and for $15 it will be fine.

[Teletran]

They do the job.

If you are doing it by hand, it will take you a long long time per headlight. You're probably going to spend at least 15 minutes to get a nice job done on them.

My bro used an orbital and that stuff and it did wonders on the lights of my dad's 8 year old Chrysler.

[Blackjack]

Do they work good? Are they easy to use?

RFD has your answer( a review by me ):
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=598166&highlight=grand+marquis

[Scottie]

RFD has your answer( a review by me ):
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=598166&highlight=grand+marquis


Yeah I think I will just buy the kit do you have any tips for me before I start?

[Bullseye]

Do the headlights have to be removed to do this? I don't know if the 'fog' is on the inside or outside, but I assume the inside. I've been putting off doing mine for ages because I know they are a real pain to remove (old fox Mustang).

[Scottie]

Do the headlights have to be removed to do this? I don't know if the 'fog' is on the inside or outside, but I assume the inside. I've been putting off doing mine for ages because I know they are a real pain to remove (old fox Mustang).


I always thought mine where on the inside till yesterday when I took a closer look I can feel mine they are on the out side, I always thought it was from the inside that way I never bothered about it because I knew it would be a pain to take them off.

[Scottie]

I'm going to buy a $15 kit tomorrow or mayb e the one from wlamrt and try it out I will let you know how it goes, If my lights become 50% more brighter from it it will be worth it for me, I just spent $25 on a brither light bulb for my drivers side and it didn't seem to help alot.

[sickcars]

What I find works is Car wax. I just rub some on just like waxing a car and wipe it off and I notice a difference.

Of course it does not last so everytime you wash the car you should wax them, take maybe 2-5min?

Anyways try that if you have some laying around before buying the kit if u want

[Rekognize]

I use Meguiars PlastX from Walmart

works wonders

[Scottie]

I use Meguiars PlastX from Walmart

works wonders

what is this a kit or just rubbing compound?

My lights are bad looks like they are scratched really bad so I think I'm going to need to do alot of sanding.

[Rekognize]

what is this a kit or just rubbing compound?

My lights are bad looks like they are scratched really bad so I think I'm going to need to do alot of sanding.

just a rubbing compound

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5070/img0309ca9.jpg

[eastwood]

I use Meguiars PlastX from Walmart

works wonders

That's what I use. It is wonderful stuff. But I've found only good on light or moderately fogged lights. If they are really bad or yellow, then not quite so good.

[Rekognize]

You can also go to standard auto wreckers, they offer this service:

http://www.standardautowreckers.com/toronto/srvlighrefin_headlight4.jpg

$35 each

[Scottie]

now I'm thinking of just wet sanding the lights myself and using PlastX what do you think, should I use a sanding block?

[Scottie]

After I use the PlastX do I need to put on some type of clear coat?

[Rekognize]

After I use the PlastX do I need to put on some type of clear coat?

You don't have to, you can just re-apply it again in a few weeks time or when it turns yellow again due to UV

[Scottie]

You don't have to, you can just re-apply it again in a few weeks time or when it turns yellow again due to UV

ok thanks?

What about putting some car wax on it after would that help?

[Scottie]

I just bought some wet sand paper and PlastX worked great I should have rubbed in my PlastX but I didn't and also I should have sanded abit more but didn't only took about 30 minutes for both lights start to finish I should have takken abit longer but didn't, here are the results !!


http://home.cogeco.ca/~bjohnson28/Headlights/headlights%20001.jpg


http://home.cogeco.ca/~bjohnson28/Headlights/headlights%20006.jpg

[prying eyes]

Or just use ur toothpaste.....

http://www.mythings.com/tip.aspx?unitid=1571

http://www.brightsmile.us/images/toothpaste.jpg

[Scottie]

Or just use ur toothpaste.....

http://www.mythings.com/tip.aspx?unitid=1571

http://www.brightsmile.us/images/toothpaste.jpg


Thanks for the tip abit late for me though I would have tried that first !

[Scottie]

does anyone know of a good plastic sealer to put on after the plastX that dosen't cost alot?

[dealmeone]

There is a reason it is called "Crappy Tire". Cheaper is not always better and cheapness does not equal goodness. I wont let those morons put air in my tires....they break more than they fix. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.