Member Since: 11 Oct 2010
Location: there's no f in point
Posts: 2137
Headlight renovation
Whilst my headlights have not yellowed or are scratched, they are marked and have hazy edges near the centre, I guess where the top layer of plastic/protection has worn away. I've had a moderate amount of success with toothpaste but it hasn't got it all off. Wishing to use something that I already have in the garage, would T-Cut be okay to use? I'm unsure because it is presumably petroleum based. I've read on the internet about very fine wet or dry but I am very reluctant to consider using this as it does sound scary
19th Aug 2018 1:18 pm
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
I’ve used megiuars headlight restoration kit before now on other cars which worked a treat, but, they never seem to last long once the uv coating has been polished off.
19th Aug 2018 1:22 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
T-Cut will be fine but for even more abrasion, try Brasso.
I use it for polishing glass which it is very good at, it'll even remove scratches if you rub for long enough. Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
19th Aug 2018 2:04 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10337
brasso is good.
or meguires products.
You really need to re lacquire it when finished if you are good at spraying and have time
19th Aug 2018 4:38 pm
NickJ
Member Since: 11 Oct 2010
Location: there's no f in point
Posts: 2137
Apart from what harm, if any, T-Ciut could do to the plastic, my other concern is if it strips the UV coating or top layer off, what then? I had read use Autoglym extra gloss protection, but had also read as it was petroleum based it would damage the plastic.
In the days of having cars with glass headlights I dreamt of having plastic ones...
T-cut is fine. For really stubborn bits, I've been told ultra fine wire wool does the trick..
Dean
====================================
2011 D4 XS - OBD port protection, RLD spare wheel protector, All LED interiors lights, Timed Climate enabled, iiD tool paired.
2011 D4 Landmark - Stolen from same dealer before I paid for it
2011 D4 GS - Stolen whilst at dealer ... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
1996 300Tdi - Eaten by tin worms
20th Aug 2018 8:04 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4398
NickJ wrote:
Apart from what harm, if any, T-Ciut could do to the plastic, my other concern is if it strips the UV coating or top layer off, what then?
What 'UV coating' or 'Top layer' ?
The plastic (probably polycarbonate) has some UV resistance built in, but clearly not enough to protect headlamp lenses long term.
I've successfully restored the headlamps on my Passat with T-Cut and a rotary mop.Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
20th Aug 2018 8:13 am
garrycol
Member Since: 06 Dec 2010
Location: Canberra
Posts: 1114
I can assure you that the lenses are not UV resistant. My RRS lights have internal UV cracks all through the poly-carbonate (like you get when perspex has been left out in the sun) and no amount of polishing can take that out. Ultimately I will have to replace my headlamps as the covers cannot be bought separately.
I just wish that LR would build vehicles that can handle UV - the paint on my rear wing has failed and of course the panel where the windscreen wipers are. I have a dash protector on the dash so taht is shielded but the dashes also fail in the sun.
Garry
20th Aug 2018 8:48 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4398
Land Rover products struggle with the Sun in the UK! garrycol I'm surprised you've got any car left in the Aussie sun!Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
20th Aug 2018 8:52 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10337
any protective coating has gone. that is the problem.
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