Faded, pitted headlights can be repaired to brand new condition using a Sylvania headlight restoration kit. The benefit of using the Sylvania kit vs. some other product is that it comes with a specially formulated hard clear coat that is applied to the lens after the lens is sanded and polished. The clear coat is a durable, UV resistant material that will keep the headlight lenses looking brand new for an extended amount of time.
There are 4 steps involved in making your headlight lenses like new again. The process starts with applying the surface activator that softens the original coating making it easier to sand. Step 2 is wet sanding the original coating off. The original lens coating needs to be completely removed for the best results. Step 3 is polishing the lenses with the clarifying compound. The final step is applying the clear coat.
1. Here is a picture of how the headlights and the fog lights looked before the restoration. As you can see, they are extremely pitted.
Mask off the painted surfaces, apply the surface activator and begin wet sanding with the coarsest grit of sandpaper that is provided in the kit. I recommend using a spray bottle to constantly keep the sandpaper wet.
Sanding is the most time-consuming part of the project but it must be done to perfection for the best results. Note how after some sanding you can see the old coating that is still present. The old coating must be removed completely.
Wet sand until the surface of the headlight lens is universal in color, completely free of the old coating.
Switch to a finer grit sandpaper and sand until the lense become clearer and smoother. Here is a picture of the look you should expect after sanding with the finest grit of sandpaper provided in the kit.
Use the clarifying compound to polish the lens. Here is the look you should expect after polishing the lens with the clarifying compound.
The final step is applying the clear coat. Use the blue towel that is provided in the kit. Do not excessively soak the towel with clear coat. Avoid applying too much clear coat as it could cause runs. Apply one even coat and let dry.
Here is the result. If all of the prep work is done properly your headlights should end up looking brand new.
