MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Alfalfa91 on April 13, 2015, 09:41:43 am

Title: 3M Headlight Restore.
Post by: Alfalfa91 on April 13, 2015, 09:41:43 am
Yesterday I used the 3M headlight restore kit I bought from eBay for £16 odd and what a result I got.

People say that it takes about 2 hours to do but because I started on the finest pads it took me about an hour to do.

Very easy to use and was a lot quicker then I expected.

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fag184%2Fgrantbeer91%2F10300423_10205066456475950_2002784459190439165_n_zps6pjpbakj.jpg&hash=cc3c3d4cce318dd3a57248527d5a8c6d201f7246)

This is the kit i bought and it comes with 3-4 different grades of sandpaper pads but i just went straight the finest one and started.

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fag184%2Fgrantbeer91%2F11148721_10205066376633954_5406868718867004199_n_zpsqpwxqjg5.jpg&hash=909d503297b5921313c62cf638b7e132a3fbe4a6)

You get 2 pads per headlight so after the 2 pads where used you move onto the rubbing paste and the buffing pad you get with the kit, after a while your headlight will look like this.

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fag184%2Fgrantbeer91%2F11139841_10205071323157614_583816535_n_zpsoyi7hduj.jpg&hash=81297aad29907dbcc3085470a83defe788a5f28c)

I would recommend to do it with your bonnet shut or to remove your headlights and also don't ware good jeans! haha

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fag184%2Fgrantbeer91%2F1975173_10205066378113991_1844758085374420862_n_zpsygzohbqs.jpg&hash=040835215d176637047c2d776a557d31e4fd37dd)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fag184%2Fgrantbeer91%2F1623599_10205066378754007_207492741347624486_n_zpswxjzarfi.jpg&hash=52df3d8f5a685a43164a4ffd252ebd5720f88026)

But when you are happy with it I went over it one last time with some Autoglym polish just got the final finish and it turned out great!

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fag184%2Fgrantbeer91%2F11149333_10205066377673980_7779170886537910135_n_zps8orujigb.jpg&hash=847233c6b989babd41b88eb2c21324c3b34f811c)

I would highly recomend this kit and all you need is a drill and something to spray water on the headlights as you go and you should be sorted!  :happy2:

If anyone has any questions about this just give me a shout.
Title: Re: 3M Headlight Restore.
Post by: xjay1337 on April 13, 2015, 09:48:49 am
Lol, um wow.

Nice transformation but what a mess you've made! We do quite a few headlights, especially on Mk5's - we do them with the bonnet up as it's just another edge you're not going to accidentally damage - and never make that amount of mess, haha!

Hope you have put some decent wax on the headlights as well - they will soon return to being yellowed and faded if not, as you've removed the remaining protective UV layer by sanding/polishing!
Title: Re: 3M Headlight Restore.
Post by: Alfalfa91 on April 13, 2015, 10:04:53 am
Lol, um wow.

Nice transformation but what a mess you've made! We do quite a few headlights, especially on Mk5's - we do them with the bonnet up as it's just another edge you're not going to accidentally damage - and never make that amount of mess, haha!

Hope you have put some decent wax on the headlights as well - they will soon return to being yellowed and faded if not, as you've removed the remaining protective UV layer by sanding/polishing!

Yeah I went a bit canny with the paste haha but was a good excuse to give the engine bay a clean up lol

Yeah I used some expensive Autoglym wax but will was planning on giving them a going over whenever wax the car just to give it that nice finish.

I think it came out not to bad for the first time doing something like that.
Title: Re: 3M Headlight Restore.
Post by: GTIEagles on April 13, 2015, 11:13:27 am
Fantastic, that's convinced me to get the same kit. My headlights look identical to yours making the whole front end of the car look old and worn!
Title: Re: 3M Headlight Restore.
Post by: akbarirfan on April 13, 2015, 11:17:08 am
Nice work!

Did you use a battery operated drill or corded?

Also @xjay1337 (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=7542) which wax would you recommend?

Cheers
Title: Re: 3M Headlight Restore.
Post by: Alfalfa91 on April 13, 2015, 12:00:40 pm
Nice work!

Did you use a battery operated drill or corded?

Also @xjay1337 (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=7542) which wax would you recommend?

Cheers

I used a battery for one side then it died as I started the other then used the mains drill. Wish I started with it cause I was done a lot faster
Title: Re: 3M Headlight Restore.
Post by: xjay1337 on April 13, 2015, 12:41:44 pm
Nice work!

Did you use a battery operated drill or corded?

Also @xjay1337 (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=7542) which wax would you recommend?

Cheers

We always use Carpro DLUX.
Anything with high UV protection qualities would be good.
Title: Re: 3M Headlight Restore.
Post by: GTI8v on April 14, 2015, 09:02:50 pm
I've got the same kit waiting for the weekend, hope I don't make as much mess under the bonnet as you  :signLOL:
Think I need to sort a corded drill though
Title: Re: 3M Headlight Restore.
Post by: Alfalfa91 on April 14, 2015, 09:44:43 pm
I've got the same kit waiting for the weekend, hope I don't make as much mess under the bonnet as you  :signLOL:
Think I need to sort a corded drill though

Nice one, should work a treat and yeah hopefully! Haha