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-   -   DIY Guide : How to get the sparkle back in your old (dull) headlights! (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/diy-do-yourself/76378-diy-guide-how-get-sparkle-back-your-old-dull-headlights-2.html)

You also get one from 3M. It can be applied by hand. Requires a lot of buffing and works decently, unless you were using high wattage bulbs and the plastic is burnt

Post a pic of your headlight so that we can see if the reflector is gone or the lens.

Link plz? If this is the one you're talking about (3M Headlight Lens Restoration System (Rs. 2699)), it may not be best suited to me, as it states "Utilizes the muscle power of a common household (1200-1600 rpm) drill to do all the necessary sanding and buffing".

Yes I have been using 100/90w bulbs since last 2 years.
Will click and post later. Untill then, this pic (left) describes the condition of my headlight the best. It's the lens which is cloudy.

Nishant that means that your headlamps are burnt and faded from the inside due to the high wattage.

The restoration kits work for outside fading like driving on sandy roads which is like sand blasting or parked in sun for long time.

Not much can be done for inside damage.

Even the mothers require a drill or powerball as they call it.

These can be applied by hand but they require a hell lot of manual labour in buffing. They work best with the drill as it is easier.

Feel the outside surface of headlamp. If it appears rough & uneven instead of glossy. Then, it is probably dust that has got embedded in the outer layer of plastic due to heat facilitated 'diffusion'. Try a 100-150 rupee liquid rubbing compound from 3M ,manually. If it responds well, go to a bodyshop & ask them to buff it up using the liquid rubbing compound. They have a similar attachment for polishing cars. Be sure to remove the headlight from the vehicle & also, ask them to select a low rpm so that the lens does not crack.

The 3M product is compatible with machine application also.

Yes, the outside surface of the headlamp feels rough/coarse. It is most definitely from the outside.

Nice job there. This is one useful tip which many people dont know, even i thought of sharing it. I had done the same very recently, and ended up with good results.
BTW, I dint know the existence of plastic polish, is it the same trims/dashboard shiner?

I had waxed the interior of the lights also, it also helped to a good extend. But removing the glass from the headlight is a big task which require lot of patience.

My Swift had a foggy LHS headlight, Formula1 Scratch Out + rubbing in circular motion all over did the trick for me.

In my case of CAMRY which is 8 yrs old ,earlier owner had replaced both the headlights and tail lights assly just few months backand now they look brand new at present.:) I will apply this method when lights become old..
which will take ages as both the head lights and tail lights are original JAPAN made ,unlike those cheap china or malysian makes.Rubb Rakhaa

My Santro is 7 years old and the headlights were becoming yellowish. After reading these posts, today rubbed the headlight lens with toothpaste for about 10 mins each and what a surprise! The effect is amazing and headlights look much much better now. Forgot to take pictures so cannot post here.

Could you give detailed instructions please?

I have formula one scratch out with me, and turtle carnauba wax (and the sponge applicator that came with the wax)
What else do i need? sandpaper?,what cloth? how often to spray water? Anything to be careful of?

The RHS light of my dads palio is almost opaque now. LHS is only marginally better.The outside surface of both have become rough to touch
This will be a great thing if it works

Thanks in advance
Joe

I didnt do add-ons, for me the rubbing itself was enough. Try circular rubbing the scratch out with a yellow cloth or that sponge on the headlights for some time and wipe it with a clean cloth.

I just tried the suggested toothpaste cleanup. Happy to report that the results were excellent!
Regards,
Ashphil

Thanks!
Reaching back home on 23rd. Let this be my Xmas present to the Palioclap:
Will post pics once done

Saw this on ZigWheels today. It looks like a pro stuff, could be costlier for car owner on one time job.

New 3M headlight repair kit hits store shelves