Headlight Oxidation, Salvageable? Better off Just Buying New Headlights?

Ultimate Gattai on 21/09/2020 - 00:42
Last edited 21/09/2020 - 02:06

So I have bad Oxidation on my Ford Focus (2003) headlights, I did try some headlight restoration kits to clean it up, but ended up asking the mechanics where I get my car serviced to have a look. They recommended I just replace the headlights, but comparing to some of the videos on youtube I've seen, it doesn't look as bad as the ones in some of those videos. I was thinking of trying this: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/meguiars-meguiars-two-st… since a few youtubers highly recommend this kit. And I was thinking of using this kit with it if that's not enough: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/toolpro-toolpro-headligh…

Does this look salvageable?

https://imgur.com/a/kXvjBcg

Otherwise if it's took far gone, how much do new headlights roughly cost? I did ask during my last service, but they forgot to look it up as they were busy and I'm struggling to find an answer online.

Poll Options expired

  • 27
    Yes
  • 1
    No
Automotive

Comments

  • Mechz on 21/09/2020 - 00:46
    +3

    Easily fixable.

  • jimbobaus on 21/09/2020 - 00:47

    100% salvageable with a high quality restoration kit
    Tip: use some light sandpaper (LIGHT!) on the lens first, wet it, sand it lightly then use the kit.

  • TRAVELO on 21/09/2020 - 01:24
    +3

    This is a simple fix and will take at most, 1-2 hours to do it correctly.

    1. ToolPRO Headlight Polishing Kit and use a Drill, don't attempt to just sand it with your hands. Also put painters tape around the headlights. Start from the correct grit and work your way up. Don't skip any steps. With that oxidation, sand a little longer.

    2. Use Meguiar's PlastX Plastic Cleaner & Polish afterwards. You will need a minimum of 2-3 rounds of polishing to get that clear crystal finish.

    3. Use either Meguiar’s Keep Clear Headlight Coating (2 coats, let it dry properly with each application. Don't do it too close or you will get run off and it will look horrible), otherwise use a protective film as it's meant to last longer than the spray. It just take more effort to do the film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6pKCtITiyk

  • MS Paint on 21/09/2020 - 01:34
    +3

    Ford Focus (2013) headlights

    Those aren't the lights off a 2013 focus.

    Very fixable. Put aside half a day, be patient and follow the steps above already mentioned.

    • Ultimate Gattai on 21/09/2020 - 02:06

      Sorry, it should actually be a 2003 model, don't know why I wrote 2013 for some reason.

  • aussieprepper on 21/09/2020 - 02:01
    -4

    Don't waste your money on that stuff.
    Use tooth paste and a cloth and scrub, the tooth paste has to be a bit wet but not so wet its no longer solid. The more aggressive the tooth paste the better it will work. Or cut and polish if you don't want minty fresh headlights lol. As said above you can sand it, gently wet sand it with a high grit sandpaper.

    • pegaxs on 21/09/2020 - 07:50
      +1

      If it’s not piss or avocado, it’s toothpaste.

      Here’s why toothpaste doesn’t work. Toothpaste has a hardness of about 2~3, which is often softer than the plastic the headlight is made out of. It’s basically talc suspended in minty goo. It also has an abrasive grit level somewhere between 3000 and 5000 (or more). The cloth that you apply the toothpaste with is probably more abrasive than the toothpaste itself.

      The amount of oxidation on OP’s headlights would literally never be fixed using toothpaste, and if toothpaste did work, it would take hours and hours and hours to rubbing. There are much better and faster ways to restore a headlight that don’t involve using piss, avocados or toothpaste.

      • trex on 21/09/2020 - 09:53
        -1

        I’ve used tooth paste, water and a cloth on my car. It actually worked and wasn’t difficult. Around 5-10 mins resulted in very noticeable improvement. But the effect didnt last long (around a month or two). Continued sun exposure turned it yellow again. Those headlight restoration kits comes with a protectant so it lasts longer.

  • Butt Scratcher on 21/09/2020 - 02:16

    I restored my parents headlight with a kit from repco last year. its pretty easy, just make sure you get a kit with some sort of clear coat spray paint.

    No offence, but for a 2013 car it looks pretty beat up. Why bother lol.

    I recall seeing a couple of ads on facebook where people are willing to do it for $40-80. Seems pretty fair, that shit took me a whole day to do it carefully.

  • Euphemistic on 21/09/2020 - 05:32
    +3

    There’s a recent thread here on polish headlights, with product suggestions and links to YouTube clips on how to. Only a week or so old.

    A polishing kit is probably going to be less than 10% of the cost of one headlight and do multiple applications.

    You choose, an hour of your time or several hundred dollars. Not a difficult decision for most people.

    Edit:

    I'm struggling to find an answer online.

    You didn’t even try. I googled a2003 focus headlight cost and got an answer in less than half the time it took me to edit this thread. They are cheaper than I expected, but it’s still worth restoring your lights. It’ll likely be leas work than replacing them. Last headlight I removed required removing the front bumper.

  • This Guy on 21/09/2020 - 07:18

    Sanding is a pain in the rear. Follow the instructions exactly.

    I ended up ignoring it until I replaced the car instead.

  • BOGOF on 21/09/2020 - 07:58
    +1

    You'll end up paying over $100 for a polishing kit and consumables, and you will keep having to do it every year (or less). It really is a waste of time and money unless you are about to sell.

    Just replace the headlights. It's an easy job, and you don't have to remove the bumper. It will take you no more than 2 hours, will last 10-15 years.

    A new pair of headlights will cost around $180.00 delivered here
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Set-Pair-LH-RH-Head-Light-Lamp-C…

    A YouTube video is here (there are plenty more)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3dYUEoEKd0&ab_channel=1AAut…

  • pegaxs on 21/09/2020 - 08:06
    +1

    While I agree that the lights are salvageable, it’s whether it’s actually worth doing it. You are looking at spending over $100 on gear and a good slab of your time. Great if you want the experience, but most of what you want to do can be done by hand for a lot cheaper.

    The other thing is, it may be worth looking at aftermarket or 2nd hand lights from a wrecker. They won’t be as cheap as a DIY job, but may be an easier option. A quick look on eBay shows you can get a pair of brand new, after market headlights for $185.

  • Oofy Doofy on 21/09/2020 - 08:35

    2003?

    Just replace them with new units. Should be cheap if you hunt around online.

  • roonie on 21/09/2020 - 09:09

    I bought some sort of kit and 2000 grade sandpaper to fix the wife’s headlights (after watching a video on how to replace headlights without removing the bumper…). Huge improvement but not great. Took it to a Kmart for a RWC and they noted the headlights, and fixed them as part of the RW. Fantastic.

  • mini2 on 21/09/2020 - 09:11

    Yours are nowhere near as bad as my Forester's.

    If you got a drill, grab this kit:
    https://www.amazon.com.au/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-Sys…

    Plus a bottle of Meguiars Plastix (I had a bottle sitting around)

    Use the Plastix instead of the 3M supplied compound, they worked better.

    Spend 20 minutes on each headlight and you're sorted till they become oxidised again. I just layered whatever sealant I had in the detailing cabinet and they've been fine.

  • ThithLord on 21/09/2020 - 11:12

    I had this exact same issue on a Liberty - I found a spray on bottle of something that I sprayed on the headlights, left for ten mins, then wiped off. Removed about 70-80% of the issue. Really sorry I can't for the life of me remember what the stuff was called; I had a bottle that I left in the back and someone fricken broke into my car and nicked all the stuff in me boot, including the spray on stuff. I can't believe how difficult it is to find whatever it was, online. Just giving you an idea.

  • GOFYS on 21/09/2020 - 12:29

    Use JIF very gently to bring back the clarity of the headlights.
    I should have mentioned Jif on my previous post. I tried all sorts of options but this is the best.
    Rinse it down. It looks brilliant, and will only cost you about $4.00 unless you have some under the sink.
    Then do the UV clear coat protectant for $15-20
    It's very satisfying.

  • brad1-8tsi on 21/09/2020 - 14:38
    +1

    I do the Honda with Brasso or heavy paint cutting compound. Only because I have it available and am trying to reduce the amount of useless detailing items I own..

    It comes up good enough to pass registration

  • AirbusA389 on 30/09/2020 - 11:26

    i just did the headlights and foglights on my partner's 2006 Honda Accord last month. Made the mistake of buying the $66 Mothers NuLens kit from SCA that comes with 2 pieces of 800, 1500, and 3000 grit round sandpaper. The bottle can easily do 2-3 sets of headlights. i used a electric drill, each headlight took me 1hour.

    so, this is what worked for me:
    a) Sandpaper $24
    Buy the big pieces of sandpaper (800, 1200/1500, 2000, 3000 grits) from Autobarn, cut them to size, and sand down the headlights. Remember to apply painters' tape around the headlights to avoid stripping the paintwork off your car.
    https://www.autobarn.com.au/motospray-wet-dry-sandpaper-800-…

    Be patient with the 800 grit. I was impatient and tried going with 320-600-800 grit, took me a long time to sand out the coarser marks. Never again. Starting straight from 800 grit (800-1500-2000-3000) gives much better results (slower start but faster once you switch over to the 1500-3000 grit).

    b) meguiars plastx $28
    https://www.autobarn.com.au/meguiars-plast-x-10oz-296ml-g123…

    c) Headlight clear coat $16
    The clear coat turns yellow after years of exposure to the sun, hence it turned yellow. You will need to apply headlight clear coat to protect the headlights from UV light. Repco doesn't seem to carry this product in-store in Tasmania, requires online order + pickup.

    https://www.repco.com.au/en/car-care-panel/car-care/headligh…

    d) ToolPRO Headlight Polishing Kit $30
    This comes with the sanding pads and adapters for the electric drill. Not a bad buy if you are doing multiple cars.

    https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/toolpro-toolpro-headligh…

    anyone else have different experiences? I still have 2 cars to do lol

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