GM stopped making them, u either have to restore or replace the entire headlight assembly.

 

I tried one of the kits to restore them. Didn't work too well. It still looks like crap.

 

Too bad there isn't a glass replacement available.

 

Ok first u have to remove the limonite protective film that comes on the covers. you cannot buff or anything until you remove that. Then you have to sand away the haze from the covers, start with about 200 grit work your way up to about 3000 grit. if it doesn't clear up you need to start over because you didn't take enough off. I assure u it works as u can see from my lights. Oh and be sure to tape off the area around the lights or u will have scratches in your paint.

 

Did you just use careful sanding to remove the coating, or some other technique? I've got a few vacation days to burn before the end of the year, this may be something I tackle on my 2011 soon.

thanks in advance for any other pointers too

 

From what I've seen, if your have crazing (zillions of tiny cracks) in the lenses, that is usually in the plastic rather than on the plastic, and can't be sanded out.
But sometimes you get lucky.

 

Well, this is interesting......... Not even GM Parts Direct has the entire assembly.

I've tried the sanding trick with ZERO success. They are crazed and cracked so bad, nothing short of replacement will remedy them. Almost embarrassing they look so bad.



http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/chevrol...position=right

 

If you're trying the sanding route, you might want to try your local Sam's Club. For $29, they mask it off, sand them, and then bake on a new UV coating. My friend's Audi's headlights looked awful, but now look brand new. And there's a 5 year warranty on the coating. It's cheaper than a kit.

 

After mulling options, I decided to just see what happens with a much more aggressive DIY approach. Started out with air jitterbug and 3M 600 wet/dry. HAHA.. Didn't even phase it. Dropped down to 320 and got after it. It was taking forever. Dropped down to 220 grit dry and that took a LOTof sanding - it took off quite a bit and was clogging sandpaper (wet or dry)- it seems like the top layer I was trying to remove was different than the polycarbonate under it. Once down to a consistent look and feel, started the work back up to the top again.

1. 220 dry, then wet (that was by far the hardest part) - a LOT of plastic came off.

2. 320 wet sand - changed to a new piece of 320 and kept at it - from here on- all was done wet sanding with air square air jitterbug sander. All the rest was easy an just paying close attention for the remaining steps

3. 400 wet sand

4. 600 wet sand

5. 800 wet sand

6. 1000 wet sand

7. 1500 wet sand

8. 2000 wet sand'

9. Several passes with "Scratch-X" on low speed rotary buffer using dimpled foam pad.

10. Mequires compound on rotary buffer - low speed another dimpled foam pad (new one0

11. Mequires polish (3 coats) on flat orange pad -- low speed slowly increasing to about 1/2 of full speed. Buff out glaze by hand microfiber towel.

12. 4 hand applied coats of Mequires NXT paste wax. Buffed glaze just barely enough to make sure there were several coats of wax.

SIX hours later - project DONE Right and left side. Only concern now was what was that thick stuff on the top layer that I sanded off.

Asking for ideas/options as to what to apply to the lenses to keep them looking bright and clean.

 

Most that have done similar to your process, finished it off with a 2 part clear coat. see the attached thread.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...polishing.html

 

Looking at all the work that 'diyguy' did to make the lenses look good ... I wonder if it would be advisable to just remove the entire light assembly instead of doing on the car?

Or is it a BIG job removing the whole assembly?

(I would be a little afraid of scratching the paint with all the sanding and polishing that's required)

.

 

I'm telling you my lights looked just like that, there is nothing wrong with your lens, that is the laminate on top of your lens. It looks like that because the coating is separating from the lens. You have to get all that off before you start sanding. its like removing the skin.

 

Thanks for the tip Later in that same post, was another idea (post # 16). Got a take on either method? Also found a Youtube video ( ) on the Spray max. One can goes a long way!


ALT METHOD
"The only difference being I coated the lenses with Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane Clear mixed 50/50 with mineral spirits. You can buy both at any home improvement store, the components are around $20, provide UV protection and there are numerous threads around the internet showing the long term durability of this as a protective coating. It was also very easy to do, if you mess up you take a rag soaked in mineral spirits, wipe the lens off and re-apply the coating with a foam brush. After applying the mix and setting them in the sun they were dry to the touch in less than 30 minutes."

.
.

 

Guess I'll try the more aggressive route as well. Apparently I didn't take enough plastic off. Mine are "crazed" , so I'm not sure what level of success I'll have.

 

Lets see a pic of your lheadlights to see where you are with them.

 

I'll be removing these soon for halos and plan on painting the buckets black.

 

I spent a couple hours each on these, guess I didn't take near enough off.

 

Are you saying that the supply of lenses that sebring was suppose to get in this month won't be showing up??......WW

 

As mentioned, the crazing may be so embedded in the lenses that if you sand it out, your lenses will be nothing but air. Here's hoping you get lucky.

I'm not sure how you can determine the thickness of the remaining plastic except to look carefully and make an educated guess. Currently, your car may look a bit goofy but it's perfectly drivable during day and marginally at night.

Since we don't know when/if replacement lenses will be available, I'd be ready with a "Plan B" (new lights/used lights/park it) if you destroy the lenses.

Best of luck to you, and thanks for keeping us posted.

 

Thanks, it's certainly worth a trip over there to check it out

I'm personally not after perfection, just trying to get both of mine consistant. One is crazed, and the other is not......