MK5 Golf GTI

General => Detailing => Topic started by: homesqueeze on April 22, 2012, 10:48:01 am

Title: How to remove corrosion haze from headlights
Post by: homesqueeze on April 22, 2012, 10:48:01 am: Hi. I need some help to restore my 05 GTI headlights. There is an ugly hazy kind of corrosion that has been spreading for some time. I have been advised to fix it or eventually it won't pass its M.O.T. I have tried Meguiars headlight restoration kit, but it was rubbish. I used the drill and buffer as instructed, but it made barely any difference. What a waste of £20. I have seen a few other GTIs of my vintage but their headlights look fine. Is it just bad luck? Does anyone know a fairly cheap and easy way I can get rid of this problem?
Title: Re: How to remove corrosion haze from headlights
Post by: stealthwolf on April 22, 2012, 12:22:39 pm: Have a look at the wetsand thread.
Title: Re: How to remove corrosion haze from headlights
Post by: david proctor on April 22, 2012, 05:40:26 pm: How bad are your headlights....can you post some pictures..???
Title: Re: How to remove corrosion haze from headlights
Post by: homesqueeze on April 22, 2012, 05:47:35 pm: They are not awful yet, but they are only getting worse.
Can't get them on straight away, but I'll try and get some pics on as soon as i can.
Title: Re: How to remove corrosion haze from headlights
Post by: ub7rm on April 22, 2012, 06:03:35 pm: Quote from: homesqueeze on April 22, 2012, 05:47:35 pm
They are not awful yet, but they are only getting worse.
Can't get them on straight away, but I'll try and get some pics on as soon as i can.

I've got the same thing going on on my 05. Was going to try toothpaste (don't laugh) as I've heard this is pretty good for sorting headlights out but then decided to sell the car instead :happy2:
Title: Re: How to remove corrosion haze from headlights
Post by: homesqueeze on April 25, 2012, 06:45:57 pm: Quote from: david proctor on April 22, 2012, 05:40:26 pm
How bad are your headlights....can you post some pictures..???

Here are a couple of pics. It was hard to get a very good shot of the marking, but you can clearly see what I mean.

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fu408%2Fhomesqueeze%2FDSC03976.jpg&hash=799ee4e93366d966dd8ddaccc1ad0470c1309603)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fu408%2Fhomesqueeze%2FDSC03979.jpg&hash=4a5a51aa846e8675e19e3c8d2082ae6ee082ccef)
Title: Re: How to remove corrosion haze from headlights
Post by: bodger00 on April 25, 2012, 06:54:25 pm: Here you go :happy2:

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,26433.0.html
Title: Re: How to remove corrosion haze from headlights
Post by: david proctor on April 25, 2012, 09:28:51 pm: One piece of advise, before attempting any wet sanding be it headlights or any paintwork it is best to practice on a scrap body panel to master the techniques required. Lastly make sure you use Unigrit paper when sanding.

Meguiar's Unigrit Sanding Papers feature uniform precision-milled particles that leave a smooth, even sanding haze that can usually be polished out by machine quickly and easily. Because these papers are designed to be used in conjunction with firm sanding backing pads and sanding blocks, they are ideal for use in situations where highly localised consistent downward pressure is required, such as when flatting back freshly cured paint domes when making stone chip repairs.

Hope this helps... If you are not confident to carry out this type of work, send me a pm and let me do it for you....!!!!
Title: Re: How to remove corrosion haze from headlights
Post by: homesqueeze on April 26, 2012, 06:47:47 pm: Thanks for the help. I think i'll have a crack at it at some point. Just need to get some spare time and confidence to do it! :smiley: