Having used 3M on four cars I wasn't happy with the long term performance. A Lexus, two Mercedes, and a Ford truck, they looked good for about 6 months. Yesterday I redid one Mercedes and a Prius using another product and it was easy with better results. The proof will be in the long term results.
You can always spot a novice they never raise the hood? Which saves time + tape,But refreshing to watch someone who followed the instructions, I did see the drill head bouncing about on the lens somewhat at step 2 , This is where selecting the right speed is important, I have found when using this kit step 1 and 2 should be slow sanding speed by feathering the trigger finger button, The Trizact p3000 a higher speed is required adding water to the lens in doing so keeps the lens surface cooler and stops burning or smearing, The polishing compound worked well and clarity was excellent, The protection wax I can't comment as I always use Megiurs clearcoat with added UV protection spray!! I always use 3M products there second to none!! Great job and finnish!!😎🤔👍
I'll bet you would have loved to use my new Milwaukee orbital polisher / sander for this video. That Bosch tool is not bad, but boy this Milwaukee cordless orbital polisher rules the world. GREAT VIDEO!
Glad it worked out! The 3M kit is excellent. You'll definitely want to finish them off with a top coating of some type. I'm going to try clear coat the next time I polish a set.
I bought "hard shell" Turtle Wax (CD$11.00), then found more after looking in my shed. I'm cleaning my head light plastic with Mother's aluminum polish (CD$10.37) then coat with turtle wax then buff to complete job. Then maybe acetone swipe.
whoa ~ this video convinces me that investing in a DA (dual action) buffer would clearly be an advantage in avoiding rough and inconsistent pressing and sanding the surface on the plastic lenses ~
Great stuff, pedrof830! Do you use any wax after the compound? Slambo's headlights are 15 years old ... it took some effort to cut through the haze. Maintaining them once they're clear is key!
I think plastics have different hardness, for want of a better descriptor, and rot at different speeds because of weather. Compounding worked on my truck, but not on my wife's car. One was indoors a lot longer.
Watch the speed/pressure/angle on the initial 500-grit discs - can spall up on outer edge and make deep circular scratches (may depend on lens quality - BMW was fine, but Honda was not). Used some 400-grit with block to supplement - worked fine.
man i just used this kit today and my finished product came back all scuffed up pretty bad. it's not a horrible finish but it definitely doesn't look like your finished product.
Hello! It looks good! I've purchased this headlight restoring Kit from 3M (en route) and find in Description no protectant. May be it's another set. I've polished headlights with Abralon 3000 pads and Menzerna PF 2500 but it had been to fine.Thanks!
Go to the store and get a can of laquer thinner, dab some on a rag, let it evaporate for maybe 10 seconds, and take one clean swipe across the headlight.... if youve never done it before be ready, my neighbor fell down and screamed the first time i did it out of fear. Its almost like magic, it INSTANTLY turns the headlight back to new. Been doing it for years, just one swipe. dont wipe it in or smear it though because it can melt the plastic if you dont do it clean and easy.
His "all you need" statement was quite an underestimate to do a quality job the first time (i.e for the people who would be watching this video). 3 hours, a VARIABLE speed or
@@mpgomatic Great video, but yeah going on 3 hrs. Maybe I'm slow, but for first timers with set-up/clean-up, a double-up on masking tape, lenses with sharp corners, and an issue here or there to get deep scratches out....
You can also use bug repellent like "Off!", spray some on a paper towel and give it a couple wipes and it will get you lights looking clean as well. Be careful though because it basically acts as a paint thinner so bad news if you get it on the car's paint.
If your lights continue to haze over a few months just reseal them. Buy a UV clear coat and spray it on. I did this to my car and a year later still clear.
Took one of these headlight restoration kits with me to India for the 2002 Accord I owned - results were excellent. Do Honda's get more headlight fade? I have only seen Mercs with so much fade otherwise.
Just did this and it worked but if i still have a little grime and spots left over does that mean i need to use a lower Grit sand paper? i used 1500 and 2000 and the right headlight looks great but the left was worse than the right and still has some grime on the top.
@@russellbrooker2122 Dry sanding is king wet sanding is old school and acts like a lubricant and slows down surface removal which is after all what we won't!!! Pay attention please!!🧐
I strongly recommend you get LED headlight bulbs, I just installed them on my 2005 V6 Accord around nine months ago. They're super easy and fast to install, no modifications required, just drop them in and forget about ever having to buy replacement headlight bulbs again. I used to have to replace at least one of those Sylvania bulbs you used on here every 6 months. 40 bucks down the drain and replacing them is a pain in the ass on my Honda. My LED bulbs are guaranteed to last 50,000 hours. Sylvania has a life of about 300 hours if memory serves me right. Not to mention the LED's are bright as hell and give off a natural white light that pierces the night far and wide. Spend a bit more money and buy the last head light bulbs you'll ever need
ArturR Thanks for the tip! Knock Wood, the Sylvania bulbs have been good for three years in the Civic, but I’ll be due for a new set soon. Which brand of LED did you use? I want to put a set in the pickup.
MPGomatic This is the type of LED's I bought: Lumen® 9006HLC-G8 - G8 LED Conversion Kit (9006 / HB4) carid.com has a great selection of quality LED bulbs. You won't regret getting them, I promise you that. I hope this helps. Have a great weekend.
Aaron Pascavage You want to use faster speed for sanding and polishing. Just remember to have the drill continously moving. Or you could burn the lense. You want a drill that can go 1800rpm or more
I disagree with Kevin - 3M specifies 1200-1600rpm and that seems about right. Of the four headlights I did, on the 3rd I initially burned in some deep scratches going a little fast (or too hard) with some spalling on the outer edge of the disc. Faster may be fine for polishing.
@@squirrelatworkwrong slow sanding speed light pressure for steps 1+2 higher speed at step 3 the trizact p3000 by adding water keeps the lens surface cooler!! At the lens polishing step high speed keep the drill moving medium pressure!!🤔🫡
Those overpriced blue bulbs don't make it any brighter, they actually make it less bright. And you're supposed to let the wax dry to a haze before u wipe it off..either way wax doesn't work, you're supposed to use clear coat spray to keep the headlights clear
Too bad bluer bulbs provide nothing but pseudo-bling, actually compromising night acuity for those having to drive towards every vehicle so equipped. Dumbest con ever perpetrated on drivers.
a new set of Xenon Headlights for a 2008 BMW 325 are priced at $2,250 since they are sealed in a single unit each... what kind of car can you get for $30 a piece? haha
3M is by far the best headlight restoration kit available.
Having used 3M on four cars I wasn't happy with the long term performance. A Lexus, two Mercedes, and a Ford truck, they looked good for about 6 months. Yesterday I redid one Mercedes and a Prius using another product and it was easy with better results. The proof will be in the long term results.
@@nomebear Did you use a certified Headlight clearcoat with added uv protective????
You can always spot a novice they never raise the hood? Which saves time + tape,But refreshing to watch someone who followed the instructions, I did see the drill head bouncing about on the lens somewhat at step 2 , This is where selecting the right speed is important, I have found when using this kit step 1 and 2 should be slow sanding speed by feathering the trigger finger button, The Trizact p3000 a higher speed is required adding water to the lens in doing so keeps the lens surface cooler and stops burning or smearing, The polishing compound worked well and clarity was excellent, The protection wax I can't comment as I always use Megiurs clearcoat with added UV protection spray!! I always use 3M products there second to none!! Great job and finnish!!😎🤔👍
Thanks, this helped me a lot. I bought another 3m kit this time, and it came with grits from 236 up to 3000. I don't have to use them all. Thanks
I'll bet you would have loved to use my new Milwaukee orbital polisher / sander for this video. That Bosch tool is not bad, but boy this Milwaukee cordless orbital polisher rules the world. GREAT VIDEO!
Thanks, Tim! Is it the Milwaukee M12? Looks wicked cool ...
Not at all
Providing the polisher is up to speed, Its the finnish result that counts and not the make of the polisher!!😂
I used different 3 inch sanding disks. I didn’t care for the dry sanding disks they provided. Other than that it worked great 🌴👍👍😎🌴
This chore is on my HONEY Do list!
Worked Fine for me... thanks for the Upload
Zoran Vlaskalin Sure thing!
Yes, it did work. Lot of sweat and patience, but it does work. Only problem, my kit did not come with wax. Thanks for video.
Glad it worked out! The 3M kit is excellent. You'll definitely want to finish them off with a top coating of some type. I'm going to try clear coat the next time I polish a set.
I bought "hard shell" Turtle Wax (CD$11.00), then found more after looking in my shed. I'm cleaning my head light plastic with Mother's aluminum polish (CD$10.37) then coat with turtle wax then buff to complete job. Then maybe acetone swipe.
I use the same kit, it works wonderful.
And....I can use the 3m rubbing compound and use it on the paint and it turned out wonderful to
Bro for this we must need professional or any ordinary men can done
whoa ~ this video convinces me that investing in a DA (dual action) buffer would clearly be an advantage in avoiding rough and inconsistent pressing and sanding the surface on the plastic lenses ~
Dan, I just use a common rubbing compound once a month to keep mine clear, it only takes me 5 mins and the bottle will last me about 3 yrs.
Great stuff, pedrof830! Do you use any wax after the compound? Slambo's headlights are 15 years old ... it took some effort to cut through the haze. Maintaining them once they're clear is key!
I think plastics have different hardness, for want of a better descriptor, and rot at different speeds because of weather. Compounding worked on my truck, but not on my wife's car. One was indoors a lot longer.
Thank you this video helped me use the kit on my car and me headlights look brand new
Watch the speed/pressure/angle on the initial 500-grit discs - can spall up on outer edge and make deep circular scratches (may depend on lens quality - BMW was fine, but Honda was not).
Used some 400-grit with block to supplement - worked fine.
George Hugh how did you fix the problem? I have a 2009 Honda fit and I screwed one of my head lights up pretty bad
Tip- if you open your hood it saves you from masking that area
Great video. Very detailed!!
man i just used this kit today and my finished product came back all scuffed up pretty bad. it's not a horrible finish but it definitely doesn't look like your finished product.
Hello! It looks good! I've purchased this headlight restoring Kit from 3M (en route) and find in Description no protectant. May be it's another set. I've polished headlights with Abralon 3000 pads and Menzerna PF 2500 but it had been to fine.Thanks!
Go to the store and get a can of laquer thinner, dab some on a rag, let it evaporate for maybe 10 seconds, and take one clean swipe across the headlight.... if youve never done it before be ready, my neighbor fell down and screamed the first time i did it out of fear. Its almost like magic, it INSTANTLY turns the headlight back to new. Been doing it for years, just one swipe. dont wipe it in or smear it though because it can melt the plastic if you dont do it clean and easy.
That's not restoring it
His "all you need" statement was quite an underestimate to do a quality job the first time (i.e for the people who would be watching this video). 3 hours, a VARIABLE speed or
George Hugh Three hours? 😬
3M has a relatively new finish coat. I’m in the midst of editing the next video.
@@mpgomatic Great video, but yeah going on 3 hrs. Maybe I'm slow, but for first timers with set-up/clean-up, a double-up on masking tape, lenses with sharp corners, and an issue here or there to get deep scratches out....
You can also use bug repellent like "Off!", spray some on a paper towel and give it a couple wipes and it will get you lights looking clean as well. Be careful though because it basically acts as a paint thinner so bad news if you get it on the car's paint.
That is a horrible idea.
Why not use this kit and do it properly,??
good job
Awesome job Dude.
Don Mughal Thanks, Don!
It's about goddamn time I get myself a cordless drill.
Use your head, open the hood and you wont have to tape the top part. How long did it last?
If your lights continue to haze over a few months just reseal them. Buy a UV clear coat and spray it on. I did this to my car and a year later still clear.
Wolfpack Hockey I understand your comment is four years old, but if you happen to see this, what brand of UV spray do you recommend?
@@KaileyB616Meguires keep clear headlight coating works well.
Took one of these headlight restoration kits with me to India for the 2002 Accord I owned - results were excellent. Do Honda's get more headlight fade? I have only seen Mercs with so much fade otherwise.
I did the same but removed them and clear coated them. Last alot longer
Cool idea SLVRFOX88! How are they holding up?
1 year still clear. 3M works good but wax isnt enough to really protect it.
Just did this and it worked but if i still have a little grime and spots left over does that mean i need to use a lower Grit sand paper? i used 1500 and 2000 and the right headlight looks great but the left was worse than the right and still has some grime on the top.
Still needed more sanding with the 500 grit
Buy the kit and do it properly? 3m have spent years developing testing so you don't have to 🤪😂
hello sir of this product how many applications can be used by each optics
can be applied on 2 cars
Thanks for the video sure helped out
Did u add water to headlights before u started with the sandpaper? Or did u do it dry with the sandpaper? Thanks for the video
Thx! Started with dry lenses.
Thanks, my computer was buffering when u did the third time with the sandpaper wet. Good video, I will surely try 3m headlight kit. Thanks.
@@mpgomatic add water in the beginning and after each pass. Its nessasary for wet sanding.
@@russellbrooker2122 Dry sanding is king wet sanding is old school and acts like a lubricant and slows down surface removal which is after all what we won't!!! Pay attention please!!🧐
I bought that kit and mine didn't have any tape or the wax!
That must be a cheap copy from China 🤣
I strongly recommend you get LED headlight bulbs, I just installed them on my 2005 V6 Accord around nine months ago. They're super easy and fast to install, no modifications required, just drop them in and forget about ever having to buy replacement headlight bulbs again. I used to have to replace at least one of those Sylvania bulbs you used on here every 6 months. 40 bucks down the drain and replacing them is a pain in the ass on my Honda. My LED bulbs are guaranteed to last 50,000 hours. Sylvania has a life of about 300 hours if memory serves me right. Not to mention the LED's are bright as hell and give off a natural white light that pierces the night far and wide. Spend a bit more money and buy the last head light bulbs you'll ever need
ArturR Thanks for the tip! Knock Wood, the Sylvania bulbs have been good for three years in the Civic, but I’ll be due for a new set soon. Which brand of LED did you use? I want to put a set in the pickup.
MPGomatic
This is the type of LED's I bought:
Lumen® 9006HLC-G8 - G8 LED Conversion Kit (9006 / HB4)
carid.com has a great selection of quality LED bulbs. You won't regret getting them, I promise you that. I hope this helps. Have a great weekend.
This works great but under a microscope the Sylvania is even better. To actual brand new
Possible quick fix (temporary) - Clean the lens with "Off"
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I have a ryobi 2 speed drill. Do I use the slower or faster speed for sanding lens? Thank you
Aaron Pascavage
You want to use faster speed for sanding and polishing. Just remember to have the drill continously moving. Or you could burn the lense. You want a drill that can go 1800rpm or more
I disagree with Kevin - 3M specifies 1200-1600rpm and that seems about right. Of the four headlights I did, on the 3rd I initially burned in some deep scratches going a little fast (or too hard) with some spalling on the outer edge of the disc. Faster may be fine for polishing.
@@squirrelatworkwrong slow sanding speed light pressure for steps 1+2 higher speed at step 3 the trizact p3000 by adding water keeps the lens surface cooler!! At the lens polishing step high speed keep the drill moving medium pressure!!🤔🫡
I hope it's not just me but you shouldn't record in interlace mode, it makes the video jaggy when there's movement :/
what diameter is the drill pad and sand paper disc?
3inch!!
as of lately 3m got cheap and took the masking tape out of the kit,but kept the price the same.
Shouldn't the headlights be wet-sanded?
Never mind. I didn't watch far enough into the video. My bad!
Answer No!!!
Those overpriced blue bulbs don't make it any brighter, they actually make it less bright. And you're supposed to let the wax dry to a haze before u wipe it off..either way wax doesn't work, you're supposed to use clear coat spray to keep the headlights clear
Quite right!!👍
how many need to time by first 500 gift
Watch video again and pay attention it's not Rocket science 🧐
These Send paper is enough for 3 car
If you pop your hood, it'll save you some tape and some time : )
+Chris Pajak Great tip!
Hahaha Chris you have a pair of Eagles eyes.
Good video, but to much work for me, I'd rather pay someone
Too bad bluer bulbs provide nothing but pseudo-bling, actually compromising night acuity for those having to drive towards every vehicle so equipped. Dumbest con ever perpetrated on drivers.
JUST REMEMBER PEOPLE YOUR SANDING DOWN THE PLASTIC MAKING IT THIN THE MORE YOU DO IT THE THINNER THE PLASTIC "EASIER TO BREAK"
Nonsense.
You should not be sanding the plastic.
Using light pressure you are taking off the clear coat and that will have to be re applied
You can buy new aftermarket headlights for like $30 a piece. They will look way better than doing this and won't fade again in a few months.
+Josh Aden for me after market headlight for a 2011 cadillac DTS of 30 bucks ... i will give you 300 each
a new set of Xenon Headlights for a 2008 BMW 325 are priced at $2,250 since they are sealed in a single unit each... what kind of car can you get for $30 a piece? haha
@@adavila78 he must drive a ford pinto
@Lupita M get it properly restored. These kits work but the people.doing the work are missing steps.