steverav4me
Club Member
RAV4.3 SR D-CAT Auto 4WD 2011 facelift model.
Posts: 81
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Post by steverav4me on Apr 3, 2019 10:01:15 GMT
In the past I've used T-cut or a similar cutting compound to remove the yellow surface from headlights as a result of UV damage. This works fine but the effect only lasts about six months before the lamps start to yellow again. Looking for a more permanent (ha ha) cure I found Meguiars Two Step Headlight Restoration Kit. Has anyone used this kit and can talk about how long the effect lasts for? The manufacturer says 12 months. Ok, that's about twice as long as I get now by just cutting back but does the Meguiars Kit create a problem the next time you have to restore? The reason I ask is that the Meguiars procedure is to rub the lens to dull finish (using a more abrasive procedure I assume) and then spray it with a sealant of some kind. Is this going to be more difficult to handle second time around than my 'just T-cut it' procedure? Am I creating a problem for the future by using the Meguiars Kit? T-cutting doesn't last long but it only takes about five minutes per headlight to perform..
Your experiences please. Thanks.
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Post by Hoovie on Apr 3, 2019 12:07:26 GMT
All these kits are basically the same - different levels of abrasives to remove and polish out the yellowed surface. I don't think the Meguiars kit is any different.
If you have a process using T-Cut that works for you, I'd stick with it.
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steverav4me
Club Member
RAV4.3 SR D-CAT Auto 4WD 2011 facelift model.
Posts: 81
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Post by steverav4me on Apr 3, 2019 12:39:49 GMT
Thanks Hoovie. As you probably gleaned from my post, that's kinda my thinking. I mean, UV passes through clear stuff so it's going to get through any clear coating. So why bother with a coating?
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Post by charliefarlie on Apr 3, 2019 15:46:59 GMT
T cut is that last thing you should be using. It contains ammonia which will cause discolouration all of its own.
Use any conventional polish you have. Any polish will do it. The hazing is taking place because the plastic used to make the lights was recycled not new or virgin plastic.
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steverav4me
Club Member
RAV4.3 SR D-CAT Auto 4WD 2011 facelift model.
Posts: 81
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Post by steverav4me on Apr 4, 2019 13:35:04 GMT
Thanks Charlie.
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Post by Hoovie on Apr 4, 2019 23:06:43 GMT
FWIW, this is the process I used on my 2004 RAV4 - RAV4 Headlight Renovation. I used Primarily 3M Products, including the Plastic Restorers and Plastic Polishers that 3M bundle in with their own Headlamp Renovation Kit. However I used these as I have them all 'in stock'. I don't know if I would have bothered buying the plastic restorer and polish just to do this one-off as they are quite pricey. |
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Post by charliefarlie on Apr 5, 2019 8:41:47 GMT
The restoration kits are repackaged products most will already have. ANY polish is capable of correcting headlights.
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steverav4me
Club Member
RAV4.3 SR D-CAT Auto 4WD 2011 facelift model.
Posts: 81
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Post by steverav4me on Apr 5, 2019 16:05:30 GMT
FWIW, this is the process I used on my 2004 RAV4 - RAV4 Headlight Renovation. I used Primarily 3M Products, including the Plastic Restorers and Plastic Polishers that 3M bundle in with their own Headlamp Renovation Kit. However I used these as I have them all 'in stock'. I don't know if I would have bothered buying the plastic restorer and polish just to do this one-off as they are quite pricey. That's a great result but is it going last any longer than a simple cutting back, single stage process? I'm sure your finish is 'sparklier' but like I say, will it yellow just as quickly? Chances are it will, since the UV will have the same effect, or I don't see why it should be any less as a result of the shinier finish. Dunno. |
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Post by sich1 on Apr 5, 2019 16:16:28 GMT
used this stuff last time,works great on my 4.2
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Post by Hoovie on Apr 5, 2019 16:25:50 GMT
FWIW, this is the process I used on my 2004 RAV4 - RAV4 Headlight Renovation. I used Primarily 3M Products, including the Plastic Restorers and Plastic Polishers that 3M bundle in with their own Headlamp Renovation Kit. However I used these as I have them all 'in stock'. I don't know if I would have bothered buying the plastic restorer and polish just to do this one-off as they are quite pricey. That's a great result but is it going last any longer than a simple cutting back, single stage process? I'm sure your finish is 'sparklier' but like I say, will it yellow just as quickly? Chances are it will, since the UV will have the same effect, or I don't see why it should be any less as a result of the shinier finish. Dunno. Will it last longer? No. I neither made any claim that it would last longer or that it is better. It is just what I did. |
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steverav4me
Club Member
RAV4.3 SR D-CAT Auto 4WD 2011 facelift model.
Posts: 81
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Post by steverav4me on Apr 5, 2019 20:17:07 GMT
That's a great result but is it going last any longer than a simple cutting back, single stage process? I'm sure your finish is 'sparklier' but like I say, will it yellow just as quickly? Chances are it will, since the UV will have the same effect, or I don't see why it should be any less as a result of the shinier finish. Dunno. Will it last longer? No. I neither made any claim that it would last longer or that it is better. It is just what I did. If that's the case, then with due respect as I see it there's little point in going through multiple step processes if a single cutting back procedure removes 'the yellow'. Further, one may argue that using 'sandpaper' ultimately removes more material from the surface of the headlight than a single cutting back procedure does, thus not being so invasive. |
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Post by charliefarlie on Apr 5, 2019 21:35:51 GMT
I’ve never yet had to use wet and dry on lights. If speed is important then use a heavy cutting compound .. As above ANY polish will do. Obviously the lighter the cut the longer it will take.
This is one area where an AIO polish like G3 is useful .
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Post by Hoovie on Apr 5, 2019 23:06:28 GMT
I think the purpose of my thread I linked to is not being understood  The main reason I did this was as a reassurance to those people who think applying an abrasive to a headlight cannot be done successfully. So I DELIBERATELY used a pretty aggressive grit level (that my headlights didn't need as they were only slightly yellowed) to get the headlights completely opaque to demonstrate how rough you can be! Then going through the various finer grits and finishing off with restorers and polishes to get the headlight totally clear again. :yes: |
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Post by charliefarlie on Apr 6, 2019 8:05:02 GMT
I think the purpose of my thread I linked to is not being understood  The main reason I did this was as a reassurance to those people who think applying an abrasive to a headlight cannot be done successfully. So I DELIBERATELY used a pretty aggressive grit level (that my headlights didn't need as they were only slightly yellowed) to get the headlights completely opaque to demonstrate how rough you can be! Then going through the various finer grits and finishing off with restorers and polishes to get the headlight totally clear again.  I completely understood David. Your method would also remove deep scratches perhaps from hedges or heavy stone chipping 👍 |
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