Headlight restoration

[ronmanager]

Originally Posted by BillDD5

Hi,

I used the Autoglym kit and my cordless drill to do the lenses on my XC70 a couple of months ago:

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showp...postcount=1550

The kit instructions are good and I’m very pleased with the results. The kit has enough pads and compound for a few repeats.

Bill

I used this kit too on my XC70. Takes a little while and looks scary when your lights are completely clouded after the first course sanding discs. But the end result was miles better than when I started and I liked that the sanding pad attaches to a cordless drill.

Why oh why didn't they make this cheap bit of plastic replaceable?

[big_yin]

Originally Posted by ronmanager

I used this kit too on my XC70. Takes a little while and looks scary when your lights are completely clouded after the first course sanding discs. But the end result was miles better than when I started and I liked that the sanding pad attaches to a cordless drill.

Why oh why didn't they make this cheap bit of plastic replaceable?

Maybe 10% are going to rectify this issue themselves.
The other 90% go to a garage who will tell them that the headlights need replacing.

[Gazdkw]

Defo plastic lenses.

I'll try the autoglym kit

[Lordsummit]

Originally Posted by Gazdkw

Defo plastic lenses.

I'll try the autoglym kit

I had mine done by a retailer, charged me £15 per headlight and I got him to do the inside at the same time. Tons better but there is some wear on the inside, so not perfect.

[marcb]

Here's before and after pics of result I got with the Autoglym kit, which was on offer at Halfords for £10 I think.

[Swedefarm]

Hi,

I am detailer in Cardiff and even though Volvo S60/V70/XC70 suffer with the faded headlights badly, I do not get enough people calling me to fix them, which seems mad in my opinion... Its a safety aspect..

Anyway, here is the process.

Clean the headlights, soapy water is fine.

Mask the area around the lamps (bumper, bonnet, wing)

A coarse grade wet & Dry such as 1200 or 1500 is fine, make sure the surface is heavily soaked to aid the smooth sanding of the headlights and that the paper does not clog.

Spend a good 5 /10 minutes going over the whole lens so that the whole surface has been keyed and all dead surfaces are gone.

Clean the surface and dry to inspect that you have reached all the suspect areas.

Repeat the above process but this time key the surface with 2500 / 3000 grade wet and dry using the same method, keeping the surface soaked.

Once your happy that the sanding refinement is complete, it is time for polishing the surface with a cordless drill & associated attachment......

Just to note, you can also buy the sanding pads to be fitted on a cordless drill, you will have a more uniform / better finish.... But you need to be fairly confident as it is very easy to burn through or cause further damage...

Anyway, using a heavy grade polish you can work out those sanding marks & matted surface, spend time doing this to get the perfect finish, once complete, move to a less abrasive polish to refine......

Once complete, apply a smearing of wax or sealant and admire your hard work..

Hope that helps....

[AndyS60]

I have the Autoglym one being delivered today so I'll let you know how well it goes. To be honest I think they're all much of a muchness. Sandpaper and polishing compound should do the job just as well, but I'm lazy and I imagine the drill attachment will make life easier.

[paulodipoggio]

I've just used the Autoglym kit having previously used the Turtle Wax hand sanding system twice.
1st TW lasted about 18 months, 2nd was only 6 months and an MOT advisory
Using the drill attachment with Autoglym was far easier, but still 2 hrs work.
Concern is how long the final polish finish will last and is it worth getting a spray lacquer to seal the shine in, such as https://e-tech.uk.com/e-tech-restore...ght-clear-coat

[paulodipoggio]

Before and After.
Now having a beer!

[Familyman 90]

I did my XC90's lenses about 2 years ago, and periodic coatings of wax has kept them looking splendid.