Those headlight restorers

[dkblade]

Ever do taillights or is this just a headlight issue?

Out of a couple thousand headlights I restored I think I restored a grand total of 4 taillights. They don't oxidize as often because a significant part of what causes degradation of original sealant coating is exposure to road elements, heat, rainwater, sunlight. Unless your car is parked for a long time in direct sunlight, the taillights are unlikely to oxidize.

 

[kuuto]

The Sylvania kit works well. I used it today with good results, 04 subaru and 06 ford van, the lens look new. It works similar to the technique that dkblade uses. It starts with a cleaner which removes most of the yellow. Then hand sanding with 400, 1000, 2000 and a rubbing compound. Finishing with UV protect.

 

[dkblade]

The Sylvania kit works well. I used it today with good results, 04 subaru and 06 ford van, the lens look new. It works similar to the technique that dkblade uses. It starts with a cleaner which removes most of the yellow. Then hand sanding with 400, 1000, 2000 and a rubbing compound. Finishing with UV protect.

That's the only kit I've seen that appears to have pretty much everything you need. I can't speak to the longevity of the UV protector. If it's a urethane it will probably last 6 months to a year depending on how thin it is.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I don't use a kit. I work in a car garage and we "restore" headlights for customers on request. What I use is 1000,2000 and 3000 grit wet sandpaper. Work your way up the grits to the finer paper. When done, use some rubbing compound to finish it off. I usually then wax them.

 

[kuuto]

Urethane finish seems to be the answer for a lasting, durable, quality finish with a new shiny clear look. The UV block in the Sylvania kit could be urethane, there's no indication on the label... but it smells, feels and works like urethane, taking 4-6 hrs to harden. Temperature was mentioned earlier, this kit will work down to 32F.