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      11-09-2020, 10:01 AM   #1
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Headlights hazy after polishing off chips

I had a mobile headlight service come to my house to polish off some pretty annoying chips on my headlights. The car was from Arizona and had light pitting on the plastic lenses.

After the service the surface is smoother but no longer shinny. I actually think it is much worse than what I had before.

Is it possible to buff headlight lenses back to a gloss or did I screw the pooch?

As an alternative, would xpel or 3M film make it look glossy?
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      11-09-2020, 11:23 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TonM3 View Post
I had a mobile headlight service come to my house to polish off some pretty annoying chips on my headlights. The car was from Arizona and had light pitting on the plastic lenses.

After the service the surface is smoother but no longer shinny. I actually think it is much worse than what I had before.

Is it possible to buff headlight lenses back to a gloss or did I screw the pooch?

As an alternative, would xpel or 3M film make it look glossy?
You can buff them back to smooth and shinny. It sounds like they sanded too much.
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      11-09-2020, 11:28 AM   #3
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TonM3 View Post
I had a mobile headlight service come to my house to polish off some pretty annoying chips on my headlights. The car was from Arizona and had light pitting on the plastic lenses.

After the service the surface is smoother but no longer shinny. I actually think it is much worse than what I had before.

Is it possible to buff headlight lenses back to a gloss or did I screw the pooch?

As an alternative, would xpel or 3M film make it look glossy?
You can buff them back to smooth and shinny. It sounds like they sanded too much.
Can you recommend the tools / products to use?
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      11-09-2020, 11:49 AM   #4
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Get one of these kits: https://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Head...t%2C196&sr=1-1

It sounds like whoever you hired only did half the job. If you want to add a protective film that's OK, but you've got to polish the lenses first.
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      11-09-2020, 12:19 PM   #5
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Get one of these kits: https://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Head...196&sr=1-1

It sounds like whoever you hired only did half the job. If you want to add a protective film that's OK, but you've got to polish the lenses first.
Thanks

Gotta love Amazon, will deliver today.
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      11-09-2020, 12:48 PM   #6
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https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G298.../dp/B01M2D763D

This one has a UV protective coating for the top layer to help prevent yellowing. Worked great on my 97 540i.

Both products will do the job
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      11-09-2020, 06:32 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Get one of these kits: https://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Head...196&sr=1-1

It sounds like whoever you hired only did half the job. If you want to add a protective film that's OK, but you've got to polish the lenses first.
Wow, what a relief. In just 10 minutes it is a night a day difference.

The technician said he has been doing this for 20 years. I really don't understand why he didn't finish.
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      11-09-2020, 09:57 PM   #8
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Make sure you give them an appropriate Yelp review.
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