Whats the verdict on the best kit to polish the headlight lenses?
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 2
mine were yellowed & rock pitted & I just...
wet sanded with 400, then moved to 600 then Novus #2 plastic polish. They aren't "crystal" clear, but the yellow & pits are gone. The yellow was more severe than the picture represents. More elbow grease + finer grit would probably do it. No need for a special kit IMO.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/74843/img_4875.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/74843/img_4882.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/74843/img_4875.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/74843/img_4882.jpg">
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
well, tried the DIY article, but my headlights are addicted to PlastX!!! I think they get a buzz....
SO i tried the DIY etc, but at the final step after plastx im still not too happy. yes its a great improvement, but not crysal clear and i put a lot of elbow grease on the job. Now from time to time i have to keep applying plastx, its like they are addicted to it. They get foggy looking and clear up very nicely to the plastx. I think their high on the stuff... :P
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 0
2nd. This is an EXCELLENT kit with very fine grits to help get a clear finish.
I just did the lenses on my wife's minivan with this kit making it the 3rd set of lenses that I've done with the kit.
See my picture poster for a before and after shot of my first attempt using it on my A6.
Subsequently I did a friend's Prelude as well as my wife's minivan's headlights and have concluded that the best thing to do is remove the lights from the car. Keep the paper wet, rinse often and stop to dry and check your work well before moving to the next grit.
For my wife's headlights I finished off with a PC and some Menzerna IP using a white pad, followed by Menzerna FPII using a black pad. The results were fantastic, with the lenses looking BRAND NEW.
See my picture poster for a before and after shot of my first attempt using it on my A6.
Subsequently I did a friend's Prelude as well as my wife's minivan's headlights and have concluded that the best thing to do is remove the lights from the car. Keep the paper wet, rinse often and stop to dry and check your work well before moving to the next grit.
For my wife's headlights I finished off with a PC and some Menzerna IP using a white pad, followed by Menzerna FPII using a black pad. The results were fantastic, with the lenses looking BRAND NEW.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 21
From: Michigan
toothpaste is cheaper and readilly available
Have used it on all kinds of plastic, plexiglass for years. Depending on the brand, some have a little more grit than others. All will do a decent job.
you'll wonder where the yellow went!!!!!
you'll wonder where the yellow went!!!!!
Trending Topics
AudiWorld Stories
Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans
10 Strangest Audi Designs That Actually Made Production
Joe Kucinski
2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!
Michael S. Palmer
Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!
Verdad Gallardo
The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
TC-11 is supposed work
This stuff is a good rust inhibitor ,but they also list that it removes oxidation from headlight lenses.<ul><li><a href="http://www.tc-11.com/101uses.htm">http://www.tc-11.com/101uses.htm</a</li></ul>
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 0
What finish sandpaper grit did you end up using?
The micro surface kit goes down past 4,000 to 12,000. By then you're not cutting much of anything but still see a noticeable improvement over prior passes.
In my experience the amount of time and effort needed from pass to pass as you go finer in grit climbs exponentially. The initial pass of 220 or 400 goes by in must a couple of minutes but the last pass of 12,000 can take quite a while.
Still for severely yellowed headlights I think the best results can be obtained by wet sanding and then polishing afterwards.
In my experience the amount of time and effort needed from pass to pass as you go finer in grit climbs exponentially. The initial pass of 220 or 400 goes by in must a couple of minutes but the last pass of 12,000 can take quite a while.
Still for severely yellowed headlights I think the best results can be obtained by wet sanding and then polishing afterwards.