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  #11  
Old 04-10-2019, 10:40 PM
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I’d like to know the details of your technique
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  #12  
Old 04-11-2019, 01:29 AM
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Thought I'd share my experience.

I've had a number of cars with headlights I've restored and I've tried numerous methods... including the usual sanding with finer and finer grades of sandpaper, using a cutting compound, then polishing. Generally, it's a fairly time consuming process.

Recently, when I got my E53, I couldn't be bothered with all those steps and hard work, so I thought I'd try something different.

I masked up my lights to protect the paint and got out my rotary buffer.
With the buffer on the highest speed, I used a pad and cutting compound for about 10 mins a side (being careful not to burn the plastic).

I then put on a different pad, this time using a polish and spend 5 mins a side. I then waxed them and put a UV protectant on.

My headlights were far worse than 'Crowz' and they honestly look brand new now.
The whole process probably took 1/2 hour, with no physical work other than holding the rotary buffer.

Would definitely recommend!
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  #13  
Old 04-11-2019, 06:39 AM
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I did a set that looked like they had been cleaned in a sand-blaster booth. I started with 1000 wet/dry used wet and worked up to 3000 wet/dry then a quick polish with clear-coat polish and a buffer.
They looked like new. I have pic somewhere on my 16 hard drives but.......
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  #14  
Old 04-11-2019, 11:12 AM
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does anyone recommend a specific brand of UV sealer? we used to use the BG headlight restore kit back at the VW dealership i worked at, but the sealer in that kit requires a UV light to cure it.. but perhaps it would cure out in direct sunlight for a while..
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  #15  
Old 04-11-2019, 02:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wogboy_9000 View Post
Thought I'd share my experience.

I've had a number of cars with headlights I've restored and I've tried numerous methods... including the usual sanding with finer and finer grades of sandpaper, using a cutting compound, then polishing. Generally, it's a fairly time consuming process.

Recently, when I got my E53, I couldn't be bothered with all those steps and hard work, so I thought I'd try something different.

I masked up my lights to protect the paint and got out my rotary buffer.
With the buffer on the highest speed, I used a pad and cutting compound for about 10 mins a side (being careful not to burn the plastic).

I then put on a different pad, this time using a polish and spend 5 mins a side. I then waxed them and put a UV protectant on.

My headlights were far worse than 'Crowz' and they honestly look brand new now.
The whole process probably took 1/2 hour, with no physical work other than holding the rotary buffer.

Would definitely recommend!
That's how the 3m stuff works. I put the pad holder in my drill and went at it. It has 3 different sand paper types and then a special one for the final polishing. Along with a liquid you put on the final one.

I'm about to do the ones on the 2001 X5 I just bought I will try to do a better set of pics on it.

There are a bunch different methods but I liked the 3m kit since it was fast and easy.

Takes about 15 minutes a headlight normally.
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