I’m stuck for what to do about my headlight lenses. The tops of both of them are badly scratched and slightly yellow, but the rest of the lense is crystal clear (they were like this when I bought the car). I don’t know if a restoration kit would work on them, if I could replace the lenses or if i’ll have to replace the whole headlight?? If anyone has had a similar issue or knows something that might work please let me know!!

Try autoglym restorer kit . Its brilliant for lights like that.

That looks to be burned on the inside by the parking bulb, 

 

On 6/25/2019 at 10:24 PM, zain611 said:

Kind of a big thing but restored the headlights on the car. Never sanded before so was scared but managed to do it. Thanks to @TomsFocus and @Luke4efc for guidance 👍.

The headlights weren't in a good state. They were hazy mainly from the top half and that obstructed a bit of light from the sidelight. The right headlight had a mark where someone had tried to restore it however gave up as you can see. 

 

Removed the headlights from the car 

 

 

This is the equipment used. Used this air powered DA type of device. 

Then started with one. Started with 1000 grit sandpaper. 

 

Then the next one. Managed to smoothen out that mark. 

 

 

Then moved to 3000 grit. Left had 3000 grit. Did make it a little clearer. 

 

Then sprayed clear coat on them.

 

Finishing pictures. Looked a whole lot better than before just about looks new. 

 

On the car

 

Topped up the PAS fluid also whilst the headlight was off for easier access. Its green just for anyone to know 👍 

See this post.

However I'm not sure if it is on the inside as said above. You can still try this method if that is the case, but you'll have to remove the lens by putting them in your oven and prying the lens off very carefully.

Most people wouldnt even bother trying to remove the lens and just find a new headlight unit. They're cheap enough on Ebay or a breakers.

That's really a coincidence. That post luke put up was what I did on my headlights. Could try giving it a wet sand with 1000 grit. If the water looks to be a dirty yellow that hopefully shows that area is actually on top and your removing that haze. After sanding can give it a good polish with a machine polisher or those attachments you can put on a drill however youd want to keep an eye on the temperature. Then you can seal it in either with a clear coat or ceramic coating to prevent UV damage again. 

Thanks everyone for your replies, i'm 99% sure that its on the outside as if I run your hand over them they feel rough. Think i'm going to have to brave sanding and sealing them and see if that does the trick.

34 minutes ago, Katie-s said:

Thanks everyone for your replies, i'm 99% sure that its on the outside as if I run your hand over them they feel rough. Think i'm going to have to brave sanding and sealing them and see if that does the trick.

I recently purchased this kit in halfords for a work mate, 

Cost me €17 using the fordownersclub halfords discount Card.

Heres a link to buh from Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001O7I7FS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_tCXjDb3SRJTWA

 

Nobody using toothpaste anymore? 😭

9 hours ago, Katie-s said:

Thanks everyone for your replies, i'm 99% sure that its on the outside as if I run your hand over them they feel rough. Think i'm going to have to brave sanding and sealing them and see if that does the trick.

On my headlights luke quoted above I used 1000 grit until the water turns to a milky white then sanded with 3000 grit to smoothen it up. Then I sprayed clear coat on it. 

You could possibly polish it up after sanding then use a ceramic coating like gtechniq C1. 

3 hours ago, UK_Hawke said:

Nobody using toothpaste anymore? 😭

I think toothpaste might be a good way but don't know if any paste in it fills up the scratches giving that illusion of it being clear. 

@Katie-s sorry to bring this up again but if you do go onto sanding the headlights do let me know as I may help guide you on it 👍. Sanding may look intimidating and this was the first time sanding for me also but the results I was far from happy with. 

Thank you zain611, i’ve bought the autoglym restoration kit just need to find the time to do it, i’ll be posting the results on here after i’ve done it. Will probably be next weekend.

5 hours ago, Katie-s said:

Thank you zain611, i’ve bought the autoglym restoration kit just need to find the time to do it, i’ll be posting the results on here after i’ve done it. Will probably be next weekend.

That kit looks good however you still want to add a protective coating otherwise the headlights will start fading again soon as there's no UV protection. 

Well I used the Autoglym kit on a car I have in southern Spain that sits in the sun all day that failed the ITV (MOT) because of the opaque light lenses and over a year later they are still ok.

Just make sure you follow the instructions to the letter and dont be alarmed as the lights will look a lot worse before they are better ,in fact almost as good as new.

I have just done this using the Autoglym kit. It worked brilliantly. One thing I would add - the shape of the Mk6 light unit and especially the bump on the top don't go well with the sanding discs provided. The discs kept grabbing and burning the plastic.  Eventually I used the sanding discs by hand with plenty of water, and it was just as quick. Keep wetting and rinsing. I used the foam pad with the cutting compound and that was a dream. Just keep going over and over and it WILL look like new. I used it with a DeWalt cordless drill. For results vs time, effort and expenditure, one of the most satisfying jobs I have ever done on a car. Good luck!

I was always sceptical until I saw Ed China do this on a Honda S2000 in wheeler dealers. Amazing results

1 hour ago, Another Richard said:

Eventually I used the sanding discs by hand with plenty of water, and it was just as quick. Keep wetting and rinsing. I used the foam pad with the cutting compound and that was a dream.

Just re-read this. To be clear, I used the sanding discs by hand, but the foam pad in the drill. The foam pad has enough 'give' in it to follow the bumpy contours of the light without grabbing. Also, if you have a choice of drill speeds, go slow and take longer if you need to.

Another Richard, i’m so glad you’ve told me this i’ve been debating whether to do the sanding by hand and I definitely will now. Hopefully going to be doing them tomorrow night, i’ll post in here once I have done them

On 7/15/2019 at 9:59 AM, Another Richard said:

I have just done this using the Autoglym kit. It worked brilliantly. One thing I would add - the shape of the Mk6 light unit and especially the bump on the top don't go well with the sanding discs provided. The discs kept grabbing and burning the plastic.  Eventually I used the sanding discs by hand with plenty of water, and it was just as quick. Keep wetting and rinsing. I used the foam pad with the cutting compound and that was a dream. Just keep going over and over and it WILL look like new. I used it with a DeWalt cordless drill. For results vs time, effort and expenditure, one of the most satisfying jobs I have ever done on a car. Good luck!

When I did my headlights I used an air powered orbital device with sandpaper. Yeah it's best to sand by hand on the buldge where the sidelight is. Personally found it easier sanding by hand as you have more control. Next hopefully will do the headlights on my grandads volvo V60 he just got. 

Sounds daft but just make sure you protect the paintwork around the lights with masking tape if doing this in situ.

On ‎7‎/‎17‎/‎2019 at 7:48 AM, mozz said:

Sounds daft but just make sure you protect the paintwork around the lights with masking tape if doing this in situ.

Autoglym advise you to do this. I didn't, and got away with it, although I was very careful and I have used polishers etc before so I knew what to expect. But good advice indeed.

Done the headlights and couldnt be happier with them. Made a huge difference, i’ll attach some pictures of during and after for anyone whos interested.

You did a really good job on them 👍. See sanding isn't as scary as it sounds 😊

Do show us a close up picture of the top where the hazing was. Good thing it was outside not inside the headlights 

Super job, well done :)

I was happy with the results I got but I did feel like I could’ve done a better job.

 

Gone over the lights again with the 2000 grit and then the 3000 grit paper and put the autoglym compound on the top.

 

The results are twice as good, 100% clear now.