Here's my opinion

Shampoo- good choice, make sure you're using a washing mitt and not any kitchen sponge, something like http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-X3002-Microfiber-Wash-Mitt/dp/B000RXKR6M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405903374&sr=8-1&keywords=washing+mitt will be fine

Towel- while you can dry with any microfiber towel, it will be best to use one specifically made for drying so you don't have to wring out the towel after every wipe. Also, using a low quality microfiber has the possibility of scratching the paint. My recommendation would be http://www.theragcompany.com/Dry-Me-A-River-26-x-59-Premium-Microfiber-Waffle-Weave-Towel-42009-2659-OW.htm

Wax- I have no idea how much you want to spend, but if you're going to be applying it by hand you generally want to go with a carnuba wax as they are easier to apply and wipe off. My personal favorite is pinnacle souveran liquid wax. Probably out of the price range for a beginner, but it's super easy to apply/wipe off, and it produces amazing results and lasts a lot longer than other carnuba waxes. http://www.autogeek.net/pinliqsouvwa.html If you want something on the cheaper end and can be purchased in auto stores, go with Meguiar's gold class liquid wax. http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G7016-Carnauba-Premium-Liquid/dp/B0002UNOYM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405903940&sr=8-2&keywords=gold+class+wax

Applicators- If you're applying wax, go with a foam applicator pad like these lake country applicator pads(make sure they're the red color) with this palm grip

Headlights- If you have a power drill, I recommend this http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G3000-Heavy-Headlight-Restoration/dp/B004HCOE72/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405904455&sr=8-1&keywords=meguiars+headlight kit as it attaches right to the drill and works very well.

It doesn't make you sound dumb, I'd rather see something unique and cool instead of the same mods that are done over and over again.

If you're looking into RallyX have you thought about swapping over to Forester suspension to raise it up a bit?

I'd go the Cobb AccessPort route instead of tactrix because of the simplicity and now that the V3 has come out, the V2 is around $100 cheaper I think. But if you're comfortable doing it that way do it.

I'm not sure if it's just the picture but the headlights look a bit foggy. I used this on my first car a few years ago and it worked great. Most of the other headlight restoration kits are bullshit. You could also bake them open and paint the plastic pieces black to spice things up.

If yellow foglights are your thing I used this on my Subaru and I love it. Just takes around 5 light coats on the outside of the fog lights and you're good to go. Much better than any of the tint overlays or light bulbs.

Here's some information on it. Daniel Stern is pretty well known as the lighting expert.

Another thing you could consider if you want to mix things up is plastidipping your car. DipYourCar has some wild colors, Sunset Orange and Tiffany Blue are my personal favorites. I'd stay away from the normal black though, it normally makes cars look pretty trashy.

Hopefully it doesn't sound like I'm telling you what to do with the car, just giving suggestions. Good luck!

I used the 3M headlight restoration kit on my MKIV, but this one is better rated AND comes with a sealant to keep the results. One of the biggest issues with restoring is that sometimes they become cloudy if you don't use sealant. (http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-38771-Headlight-Restoration-Kit/dp/B00429NKWK).

Depending on how deep the scratches are you may be able to lightly sand down down the clear coat and buff it, unless its completely through the clear coat and through the paint and/or metal. Looking at those, they look pretty deep. I would suggest using OEM paint pens, blobbing paint on the scratches, and letting them set for a week. Then you sand down with 2000 or 3000 grit sand paper, buff, and repeat until satisfied. Then apply a clear coat, lightly sand down, and buff to a shine. Letting the paint set is pretty important. You could also look into Dr. Colorship, but thats really not for scratches and more for chips on the front hood, which I'm pretty certain you have (the hood pretty much asks for it on these cars).

As far as the mirror, I'd see if any junk yards around you have a mirror on a junked car. If a different color, plasti-dip both mirrors black.

I just got the amazon cheap-o ones called Turbo SII LEDs and they are pretty darn good. They dont cast light out as far as I would like, but they are better than stock and look great. I zip tied the adapter because the plug didn't seem to secure perfectly. I have no complaints really. They were plug and play. They were $113 and now they are $95. I would recommend them as a budget friendly solution that look awesome.

The quickest and easiest temporary solution is to grab some Plast-X from a local auto store. Rub it in and wipe it off with a microfiber. It will help, but they won't look new and it won't last very long.

The more permanent solution is to sand the lights, 500 then 800,1500,2000,3000 etc. Then compound and polish with Meguiar's 105/205 or similar. Then you'll have to apply sealant (not wax, but something like Meguiar's M21) to protect from UV rays. This will bring them closer to new than any other method or product. If the lens isn't cracked and you spend enough time on each sanding step, they'll be near perfect.

3M also makes a nice little kit for a drill that you can find on amazon. If you don't already have a DA polisher, the kit is the way to go. It comes with an aggressive little pad, sanding discs, and polish. I found that 105/205 worked better than the single stage 3M polish, but it did work. The kit is nice as well because the orange polish pad it comes with is reusable, and with the right products (105/205) can be great for spot corrections on little scratches and swirls in the paint.

If you choose to sand, consider pulling the bumper off first. Our lights are tough because they are sunk in there so deeply.

I got these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B376YOE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They are knock off's but they use Cree LED's and work pretty well. The two suggestions I will give you is 1. use a ziptie for the connector to secure it better, the lock doesn't really work very well. and 2. use a protective 3m headlight film, as the plastic on the headlight seems prone to scratching.

I haven't had moisture intrusion issues with these and they are very bright. In my book it definitely beats 250 for JWS lights. I can find better things to do with that money.

Cool! It looks great. I picked mine up last year for a little over a grand and have been working on bringing it up to mechanical speed - mostly deferred maintenance stuff - but now I kind of love it and want to start upgrading.

For the headlights, I've had great luck with the 3M kit on amazon. There are a couple variants, all the same basic thing - sand down the worn plastic, put on a protective coating, looks good as new. Don't bother with stuff like PlastX unless you feel like reapplying every few weeks.

I have these generic led headlamps installed. I havent used them much yet (the bronco is a driving project) but they seem to be pretty good. They are very bright but have a decent cutoff so you can align them to not blind oncoming traffic. The cheaper led sets are often more like floods that are bright but just awful for road use. If you want to spend more and get higher quality, there are brand names like Truck-Lite that have great reviews; personally I couldn't justify the expense when I have a lot of other projects on the truck.

2018 New Osram Chips 110W 5x7 Led... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BWBRDJ5?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Assuming you have a drill, $13 for a 3M Headlight kit. I drive a 2001 Honda and just did mine, and the difference was quite noticeable. The headlights are much brighter now since it's not being absorbed and redirected by those cloudy-ass lenses.

I'd spend $15 on an OBDII Bluetooth adapter and ~$6 on the premium version of the Torque app so you can read fault codes and real-time engine data.

We're at $34 right now. I'd buy a bottle of rain-x, some microfiber towels, and some cleaning products for my car (glass cleaner, soap, wheel cleaner, etc.), and that might come to another $30, though you could easily spend more if you don't have any cleaning supplies or decide to get all the goodies. I would then spend a few hours and go to town on your car. The few hours I spent were totally worth it when I consider how much more I enjoy driving my car now.

Finally, I'd buy a nice cabin air filter for $15 or so and replace the old one that is probably long overdue (when I replaced mine I found it had never been replaced in the car's 185k service). That will increase the quality of the air coming in quite noticeably.

We're at $79 so far. I would go on your car's forum to see if there are any cheap fixes or improvement you can make to the car. I had a problem where sometime when the car would go over bumps or take a hard turn I would hear this squeaking noise. Turns out that the front suspension bushing can rub against the bare metal surrounding them when they get old, and a few bucks worth of lithium grease will quiet them down to where you can't hear them. Simple, cheap fix that made me love the car more. See if you can find something like that for your accord.

I also think minerdeity's Aux to bluetooth adapter would be great if you have an old car that doesn't have bluetooth.

I pretty recently switched to Truck-Lite LED headlamps, which are complete units that are super energy efficient, bright as hell, pretty heavy duty, and are wired for our headlight plugs. They're pretty pricey, but I pulled the trigger on them on Amazon knowing I could return them if they weren't worth it. So far, they've been the most useful day-to-day upgrade I've done. They make driving at night actually pleasant. They're really incredible, though no photos online do them justice.

Here's an album with some photos of my front end:

http://imgur.com/a/zCMHZ

And here's a link to the truck lites on Amazon, which are currently for sale for cheaper than I scored them.

http://www.amazon.com/Truck-Lite-27450C-Headlamp/dp/B007ED7HNY

Let me know if you've got any questions about them :)

It's almost always better to go with OEM replacement headlight units if you can. This will ensure the best fitment as well as ensure that the unit meets safety standards. This however, is expensive and takes a little bit of time. It's an easier route to restore your headlight unit if it has not been damaged other than weathering and oxidization on the surface.

I've used Sylvania's cleaning kit to great effect on my friend's 2007 CR-V. This was 3-4 years ago and the last time I saw him a few months back, the headlights have barely started to show any signs of aging.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429NKWK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I can also really recommend the kit /u/schwartzd used. The kit includes sandpaper pads and a foam buffer that you can attach to a power drill. It was a long and kinda tedious process but the more time and care you take the better it will appear. Results also hold up spectacularly as well- previously I had used a Turtle Wax brand hand polishing kit that while did clear up the lens, the hazing was back in as little as three months. I used the 3M kit on my lenses last June and today they are still as clear as the day I bought them.

I've seen the kits go for around ~$30 at auto stores but you can get them much cheaper off Amazon.

They also sell kits for headlight restoration. 3M one is amazing. I've done about 3 so far and they are flawless. This one requires a cordless drill, and it makes it super super easy and less stress on your arm lol.

Also, for your rust spot, it's not coming through the back right? I know subaru's they like to rot behind, so maybe get behind there with some undercoating spray to make sure it doesn't come back!

Local shop rebuilt it for me, built it with all new parts stronger than the factory transmission. Can’t say exactly which ones but it drives 100 times better. He’s a trusted mechanic so i went with what he suggested. Here’s the link to the headlights https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BWBRDJ5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_HHpUDbXXCCWZD
So far they are awesome! And they have a ton of good reviews so I would recommend!

I've never bought a set of wheels for a car. I've only had to replace one rim in a set when my sister drove the family minivan into a curb and broke a chunk out of one of the alloy wheels.
I still have the OEM Alloys on my Passat. If you are looking for a set of OEM Alloys you could check eBay, Craigslist, or a local junkyard and you may be able to get a decent set of used wheels without setting you back too much money. If you'd rather go aftermarket, I don't really know the best places to shop for rims but I'm sure many other people on this sub can help with that.

As far as the headlights go, i have used the Turtle Wax Headlight Restoration Kit and it works pretty decently. Just a little elbow grease and about an hour of your time and your headlights will look much much better.
You can also choose to just replace the headlight. A quick google search should give you plenty of options whether you want to keep the OEM look or go for something a little different.

Hope this helps!

The "fog" on the other light is really the plastic breaking down from years of exposure to UV rays after the clear coat wore off. It's actually quite easy to restore headlights with a kit like this. Do a search for headlight on this sub and you can see some pretty spectacular before and after pics. Good luck!

Edit: Forgot to mention...after you restore the headlights you should seal them or else they will just get yellowed again.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XRXTX32/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 These are them, about 10x brighter than the stock halogens. I haven't wired up the DRL's yet but the halos are on when the low beams are it looks really nice. Super easy to install as well, took me like 20 minutes to get em in. https://i.imgur.com/Ue4DlWe.jpg

These lights are the ones I got. I love them. I think they look good and they’re plenty bright. With the high beams on, its REALLY bright. I’d definitely recommend them

Loli don't have a bike yet but already started looking at headlight and looking into tail lights as well. So far the best headlight i have foubd is this one:


LED Headlights-7"/7 inch Round 50W Cree Hi/Lo Beam Motorcycle Driving Light with DRL Turn Signal Halo Ring Angle Eyes

Not sure if you like it , I personally do. And hopefully this is not pulling as much as the other.

Edit: i do wanna say I’m not sure if they are dot approved but i think they are as it says DOT SAE on the headlight

To build on my post: I've used this restoration kit with really good results. Your headlights may need some extra elbow grease to get rid of that outer crusty layer. But I noticed that my headlights were yellowing again within a few months, so I bought a pre-cut Lamin-X film kit. It is kind of expensive (roughly 50 bucks) but it was cut to my car's headlights exactly and sealed everything up perfectly.

In your quest to paint the car, I recommend checking out this build thread I read a while back. A guy on a forum I use completely repainted his car in John Deere yellow for pretty cheap and he documented the entire process with pictures. One of the most helpful things I have read when it comes to DIY automotive painting.

I used:

Meguiar's Headlight Restoration Kit

It cost me pretty much the same price at Wal-Mart and bought a pack of 8 micro-fiber towels with it for an additional 5$.


You can kind of tell the right headlight came out a bit better, and well they didn't come out as good as I expected. I also did it by hand and did not use any powertools.

BUT WOW! The improvement is massive, You can really tell the difference when you're driving at night.

(You can tell by the seventh picture.)

Great question! I got a multi-part answer for you:

----

Part 1: What kind of headlamp does your E250 have? If you know, skip to Part 2.

Before we can start evaluating LED options, we need to know what kind of headlamp your Ford E250 has. If it has the sealed beams, then it's extremely, extremely easy to upgrade to high-quality LED headlamps.

If it has the 9007 bulbs, then things are a little different.

So, do you have sealed beams or replaceable bulbs? You have sealed beams if you replace the entire headlight, glass and all, when it burns out; you have bulbs if you pull out a bulb when the headlight burns out.

If you don't know take a picture of the headlight and post it here; we may be able to identify it.

----

Part 2: your LED upgrade options if you have sealed beams:

If you have the rectangular H6054 sealed beams, these are your best LED option. Here is an Amazon link.

If you have the round H6024 sealed beams, these are your best LED option. Here is an Amazon link.

Are you sure you used the kit correctly? I restored my beater's headlights with Megiuar's G3000 kit and the turnout was pretty good. The thing is, the entire process took me about 30 minutes of sanding per headlight (I was a bit timid with it at first).

Additionally, headlights need to have UV protection on them or the hazing will come back. The gel stuff that comes with the kit will only last about 1 month before you need to re-apply it. Your best bet is to apply a longer lasting product like Opti-Lens to ensure permanant protection.

The last kit we bought worked pretty much like we do surfacing lenses for eyeglasses.. coarse grit, fine grit, polish. Pretty sure it's the same high-impact polycarbonate.

Just saying, if you follow the instructions and apply proper elbow grease, the 3M kit worked great for us. I recommend a kit you use with your cordless drill.

Let me start by saying i think i over did it, but I am happy with the results

​

Let's start with what I purchased:

1. Turtle Wax 50764 Drill-Based Headlight Restorer
   
2. 3M 39008 Headlight Lens Restoration System
   
3. Turtle Wax T-43 (2-in-1) Headlight Cleaner and Sealant - 9 oz
   
   ​
   
   Then this is the process I used:
   
   
4. Start dry sanding with 3M #1 and then #2 Disc
   
5. Wet sand with Turtle wax #1 > #2 and finally 3M #3 disc
   
6. Buff with Turtle Wax compound, repeat this step until i was happy
   
7. Apply clear coat from TurtleWax kit
   
8. Apply sealant from TurtleWax kit
   
   ​
   
   I plan to touch up with the TurleWax sealant every 8 weeks.
   
   ​
   
   ​

Total cost: $31.70

Time: ~30 minutes.
Tools required: Hand drill

Now that it gets dark so damn early, I've been using my headlights a lot more, and I noticed that they weren't as bright as they used to be. So, on the advice of a coworker, I picked up THIS headlight restoration kit from amazon, as well as THIS sealer and THIS masking tape (to protect the paint around the lens). The directions were clear and concise and the whole process took about 30 minutes and was extremely easy. It comes with an attachment for your hand drill to which a variety of sanding/buffing discs mount. You start with a coarse grit sandpaper disc to remove the oxidation and then you use progressively finer grit discs to smooth out the surface. Finally you buff and seal the lens.

I couldn't be happier with the results. The lenses look brand new and there are enough sanding discs left over to do at least one or two more cars.

Refinish the headlights.

I have tried a bunch of different solutions, the best one is to sand the headlights, from 800 grit > 1600 grit > 2000 grit > 3000 grit, something along those lines. Finish up with a plastic headlight polish like PlastX, then mask the surrounding paint with a cut plastic bag + tape (use painters tape around the headlights during sanding, or even better take them off to sand and paint them), and finish it up by spraying Meguairs Headlight Coat on it, wait 5 minutes, and give it a second coat. Should come out close to perfect, and will last at least a year. Using just PlastX polish will last for maybe a few weeks before fogging again. I tried mixing spar urethane with mineral spirits, 50/50 and that only lasted a few months before fogging up, it dried yellowish as well.

I used this kit for the sanding pads, you can use the powerplastic polish instead of the plastx stuff.

I would heavily recommend a cordless drill for the sanding and polishing

This is the headlight spray

I've done the same using the 3m kit, which includes a drill attachment. Super easy and effective. Hardest part was masking the painted areas first. Most people recommend putting some sort of wax, so I picked a wipe on product too.

Headlight restoration kit
https://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY?th=1&psc=1

Clear coat
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B079QL8BYK?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I used this and this

The 3M kit does the actual headlight restoration and the Sylvania kit finishes it off and seals it. The sealing kit reeeeeaaaaally makes it pop. Both companies make full kits that do both, but I went off of the recommendation of a guy on r/integra for these products and it worked like a charm 👌🏻

Hi,

I updated the signaling and lighting for my 1986 Vulcan 750. It was easy to do, improved visibility, and shaved off all those dangling blinkers giving the bike a sleeker look.

The integrated taillight was bought off of eBay for around $US 28.00. The guy that I bought from is out, but I've found what looks to be the same product from another Chinese vendor at Motor-Integrated-LED-Tail-Light-Turn-Signals-for-KAWASAKI-VULCAN750-1986-2003

After removing the rear signals and the rear tail lens and brake light bulb I was able to connect the LED by putting its bayonet style connector into the brake light bulb socket and splicing the common, left and right signal wires using some Bullet terminals. I put some masking inside the lens (to hide the wiring) and put the lens back on. Easy peasy 10-20 minute job.

I also removed the front signals and replaced them with some LED triangles off of a sport bike, using the unused capacitors from the LED Tail Light kit to make them work as both signal and running lights.

Aalso replaced the old dim yellow headlight with a Daymaker style LED with integrated turn signals - which looks sharp and makes a HUGE difference in nighttime visibility (both ways). From Amazon - LED Daymaker Headlights 7 inch Round 50W Motorcycle Driving Light with DRL Turn Signal and Halo Ring

This mod was a little more involved because the new LED headlamp didn't fit the original "bucket" so I had to order a new headlamp housing and cram it all it. But it now looks like it could be original equipment, except that none of this stuff existed in 86.

Unfortunately, this was not a simple headlight swap. To make it work, it required a completely different headlamp assembly (bucket, trim & mounting rings). I used the headlight assembly off a [Kawasaki 1976-1979 KZ750-B] ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/Z1-900-KZ650-KZ750-KZ900-KZ1000-H2-KH-Chrome-Bucket-Head-Light-Assembly-/142427700153 ). You will reuse the mounting rubber inserts and bolts /nuts from your factory bucket.

Photo of my bike

I got some inspiration from a [How To video retrofitting LED projector headlight on a 1980 Kawasaki KZ750-B] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-GI4-VdCIA)

This is the one i bought and used, took about an hour for each headlight, you will need an electric drill and a roll of painters tape.
Pro Tip: Put lots of tape around each headlight at least 3 layers thick (because you WILL hit it with the sandpaper)

https://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1484940876&sr=8-3&keywords=3m+headlight+restoration+kit

I was skeptical before i tried doing this, but it actually worked really really well. Best of Luck.

3m kit - 14 bucks on amazon. It has a final rubbing compound after the sanding. Then seal it once again, and you are good.

I took some terrible forester headlights to perfectly clear and beautiful with it. AND it allows you to use your drill to polish. Which makes it WAY better.

I got this headlight kit. Totally recommend it. Super easy to use. Just recommend reading the instructions so you seal it properly. Headlights have been clear so far.

You need to protect it somehow.

original headlights will typically have a protective layer above that you have sanded off now.

I like what the other guy said about clear 3M vinyl

my headlights I restored 2 years ago and they are fading already without any protectant other than 3x yearly application of collonite 845.


there's also a product by opti called opti lense that you apply a clear coat over top. https://www.amazon.com/OPT-OPT-OLC10-Opti-Lens-Permanent-Headlight/dp/B00GULJCUM

These two things and some tape are all you need for beautiful headlights. You go through the levels from coarse to fine sanding in alternating directions, vertical with one pad then horizontal with the next. You only need to use 4 or 5 pads, I went through the whole set the first time and found the last couple to be too fine to do much. Clear coat after they're sanded and dry and your good to go for years to come.

2 inch by 2 inch Micro Mesh Soft Touch Sanding Pads
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H6EC4C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TuITCbWP205TA

Meguiar's G17804 Keep Clear Headlight Coating
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M4RVVX6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6wITCbNGG9B7W

What is your budget?

One other option you might want to look at is LED headlamps but you need to buy ones that have a distinct cuttoff for on-road use. I recently bought these cheapos that do not have a cut off hoping that I could make due but really I found you should never use those on the road since they are basically just an ultra bright flood lamp so I removed them.

As far as updating to better bulbs and a new housing I don't have experience there but I think you also have to factor in an upgraded harness too...

My .02 worth for ya..... Go in this order instead of jumping right into a set of LED headlamps.

1 - Upgrade the wiring harness.

I installed a Putco harness in 2013 when I first got the XJ and it was a definitely improvement.
Putco 230004HW Premium Automotive Lighting H4 100W Heavy Duty Wiring Harness and Relay

Other folks have gone the eBay route, and I bought one of these on a whim (because it was stupid cheap) just to see if the quality was worth it.
CERAMIC H4 HEADLIGHT RELAY WIRING HARNESS 2 HEADLAMP LIGHT BULB SOCKET PLUGS 7

Ended up not installing it because I had other things to work on instead of replacing the Putco harness that was working fine. Overall though, the quality was surprisingly good and I would have used it if I didn't already have the Putco harness.

For all the negative comments people have about the Putco upgrade harness, it's still working fine a little over 3yrs later. Knock on wood, of course.

2 - Get a set of H4 housings. I bought these off Amazon, but there are other reputable brands out there which work just fine.

GENSSI DOT H6054 7x6 Inch 200mm Headlights Pair with Bulbs Non-Sealed H6014/H6052/H6054

These came with some crappy OCONUS-made no-name bulbs that sucked balls and were immediately thrown in the garbage.

I went to my local PepBoys and grabbed a set of Sylvania SilverStar "Ultra Halogen" H4 bulbs and threw those in the housings.

Holy shit, #1 & #2 were an incredible upgrade to the shit stock XJ headlights.

If you're looking to stay right at or a hair under $100 that's the way to go.

Last year, I came into some $$$ and got it into my head that I wanted LED headlights. Went this route: Truck-Lite (27450C) Headlamp

Wow.

Significant difference from the H4 bulbs + wiring harness upgrade but I'm honestly glad I did the H4 bulbs + wiring harness upgrade first.

Now that said... In hindsight, the LEDs weren't absolutely necessary and I could have put the $$$ into a SYE or something else.

But hey, ya learn as ya go. Right?

I used this 3M kit on my WJ when I still had it, and it came out looking fantastic. If I spent a little more time and was less nervous on doing it, they would have been 100% clear, but they were probably 90% there anyway. Here's a comparison!

I know it's a little hard to tell, but the headlight on the left of the picture was done with the kit, and the other hadn't been done yet. It definitely was a big difference (for both appearance and brightness during night driving) and I'd recommend using it if you have the time, patience, and cordless drill for it!

I bought these for my 96 Sport. Very bright and clean white. Had them since March and no issues. Had to bend one of the blades a little wider for better contact as one headlight didn’t want to stay on during installation but it is plug and play. Very happy and highly recommended.

(Pair) 5''x7'' 6''x7'' High Low Beam... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XRXTX32?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

The difference from stock is night and day

I bought the Mother’s kit and use it once a year. Someone in here said polishing only lasts about 6 months and they are basically right so I do it in late spring generally and it’s good until the end of summer.

The Mothers kit is nice, it has a pad for polishing with a bottle of polish liquid, also some various sanding pads if it’s really bad. I tried doing the sanding one year but honestly just the pad did just as good a job.

Mothers 37251 37251 NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit

Make sure you cover everything around the area because even if you are careful polish will fly off and leave little drips here and there

Don't forget to apply UV headlight sealant after compounding her lights. I think this will offer the biggest improvement in effective visibility in terms of lighting. Then yes change the bulbs, they dim out over time as the tungsten vapors from the filament coat the inside of the headlight bulb glass. Personally I would just get some Sylnvania XtraVision bulbs instead of those 'high performance' burnouts like SilverStars and Osram NightBreakers. The way halogen bulbs work is, 10% overpowered from normal design decreases bulb life to just 1/3 life, and 10% underpowered from normal wattage will increase bulb life by 3 times.

if you have a power drill, get the 3m restoration kit. it looks like this.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396424163&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+restoration+headlight+kit

i mean you dont have to have a drill, but it would make it easier.

this is what mine looks like before and after. haha
http://i.imgur.com/R78vYXY.jpg

I used this one about a month ago on my 2005 Jaguar S-Type that had some pretty bad yellowing and oxidation and it worked pretty well.

I'm about to go redo it with a 3M kit though because I'm starting to see yellowing again and there is still some slight oxidation.

Mine were pretty bad, and yours don't sound as bad as mine, so the Meguiars will work fine if you don't mind putting in some muscle work. The 3M kits have pretty good reviews and tend to use drills. So I would use either one, depending on what you want to spend, or if you have a drill or not.

The best method I've found is the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System. It's easy and the results I achieved with it amazed me. I was able to do both headlights on my 17 year old cherokee in about 30 minutes or so and I only had to use one sanding disc of each grit for the entire thing. I even had plenty of polishing compound left. Just be sure to follow the instructions closely.

If you are interested in completely replacing them, I would recommend these.

Put them in mine back in April and love them, they are extremely bright.

You did half of the work required to get your desired results. In order to remove the 2000 grit sanding marks you need to polish them out. You are basically using a liquid that has abrasives in it, think of it as liquid sand paper. You put some compound on the orange foam pad and then polish it out with a machine polisher. Like sandpaper, compound leaves scratches, although they are very fine. You need to use a less abrasive polish on a less abrasive pad, the white one. This brings back the clarity and then you can clear coat them. You can keep it simple and buy something like this which will attach to a power drill. https://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478747348&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+headlight+polishing+kit

I used a headlight restoration kit from the auto parts store and had pretty good results. It was this one here which had a buffing and wet sanding drill attachments and polishing compound. My headlights weren't bad so i only needed the buffing pad. If you get a kit, make sure it has drill attachments and that the sanding pads are wet sanding (not dry).

I use this stuff. Found it on Amazon looking for something to use after I buffed the headlights on my Mom's older Oldsmobile. They were 20 years old at the time and completely hazed over but they came out looking brand new. It worked so well that I use it on every vehicle I detail now.

A little goes a long way and it's important to make sure it's not going to rain for awhile because it can take 3-4 days to fully cure but if you do it right then it will last 6-8 months. I put it on Mom's headlights in the spring and winter and they still look new nearly 3 years after I started using the Blue Magic on them. I'm still on the same bottle too. Just an all around great product.

I actually restored my headlights on my own not too long a go. After reading reviews for several online, I decided on 3M's. Benefit to the 3M kit is you don't kill your wrist since you're doing all the sanding with a drill instead of by hand. Just be sure to apply the tape (not included) LIBERALLY, especially around sharp corners so you don't scratch your paint.

I used this kit with excellent results.

1. Wash the headlights by hand
   
   
2. Wet send it in order from lowest grit to highest
   
   
3. Use a polishing compound to polish out the fine scratches made by the highest grit sandpaper
   
   
4. Use a soft buffing pad to give it a final touch
   
   
5. Clean and apply a new layer of sealant
   
   
6. Done
   
   
   If you're open to it, projector headlights are pretty cheap now. Mine (halo style) were $280 and came with an HID kit.
   
   Edit- I should mention that the quality of your result will 100% depend on how much work you put in to the wet sanding steps and how well you evenly sanded the entire surface.

Probably. I was tired of the stock grill and wanted something clean and simple. This did the job beautifully. I might plastidip my bottom grill black. It does look pretty good that way. I want to get the stock fogs instead of these stupid things the previous owner installed. I love the taillights on yours but it would feel weird not having amber. I was tempted to get the taillights like yours but slightly smoked under the red.

This kit was on Amazon for $25 and it did a much better job than the Turtle Wax kit I got last summer. Still have a bunch left over to do a few more cars too.

My headlights were MUCH worse (long story). I used this (since its out of stock just get a similar kit on amazon):

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gator-3-1-in-Headlight-Restoration-Kit/4747427

and this (plan to reapply this every year or so, heard about it on scotty kilmer youtube channel):

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G17804-Clear-Headlight-Coating/dp/B01M4RVVX6

It was really easy and worked amazingly. IMO dont even waste your time or money buying sandpaper and doing it by hand, this is basically the same cost or so and much easier

EDIT: This on amazon should work well

https://www.amazon.com/Headlights-Taillights-Restoration-High-Precision-Waterproof/dp/B07KP8J7Q2/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=headlight+sandpaper&qid=1573631053&sr=8-9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_k4NtNLAwY

I second the idea of just doing it yourself. The sylvania kit the other commenter posted will work just fine if you’re doing it by hand. If you have a powered drill then I’d recommend this 3M one instead. Worked great for me on two separate vehicles.

3M 39008 Headlight Lens Restoration System $11.04
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_65SxnkKBqipTr

I also recommend the 3M kit. It took about 90 minutes of work for both headlights, but they turned out great. I sprayed a Meguiar's Headlight Coating after I was done. I restored it only 3 weeks ago, so I don't know how long the coating holds up. They UV coating spray was only $9, so I gave it a shot.

You can use a headlight kit like 3M's. You should only need polish and a pad though to correct those. You can buy a hand polishing pad and some Plastx instead.

I prefer the 3M one because I like using power tools and I usually get better results.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XRXTX32/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Some Chinese brand but they have worked great for 4-5 months for me. They are about the same as the fancy halogen lights that you see in new cars like Lexus and Mercedes in terms of blinding people. But they are DOT certified. These just plugged right into the same plug on my 01 XJ, didn't have to change anything and installed in 5 minutes.

You can probably fix that cloudy dust cover by getting some headlight cleaning fluid. You can find it pretty much anywhere you buy car parts, takes like 2 minutes and looks much better

something like this

I just did my headlight myself using a kit I got off Amazon. Worked amazing. Took me 1 hour.

Here is the kit if you are interested.

SYLVANIA - Headlight Restoration Kit - 3 Easy Steps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00429NKWK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_k2CGDb2C87APJ

Edit: $20 bucks for this kit.

I got these for $95, couldn't be happier. Very bright and light up a whole 3 lane interstate from median to shoulder, would buy again. They have a clear cutoff point and I've not had anyone flash their lights to say I'm blinding them.

As another commenter stated, also upgrade your wiring harness. I got a k suspension one and it was easy to install and works amazingly well.

My dad had this for awhile and I decided to use it. But if I had the choice I definitely would have gone with this only because it's much easier. If you do end up going with the 3M one make sure you have some type of UV Protectant or sealant to coat the lights with afterwards so they don't get foggy again too quickly. The one I had included the sealant and the instructions were pretty straightfoward on the box.

I've got these. They're great. Easy install. Good price point.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015SL0MSK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've personally used CarPro DLUX on black plastic trims and its fantastic!

The cars at home are basically new so I can't vouch for anything, but opti-lens is designed for headlights. That said, if you can afford the time and handiness, it would be better to just repaint a clear coat on them.

Have you done the previous maintenance intervals? i.e. fluid flushes (transmission, coolant, brake fluid, spark plugs)? Recommend using DOT 5.1 brake fluid, and long life coolant/trans fluid.

Not sure on the civic, but if it uses a timing chain (which it probably does) it's probably due for an adjustment. If it uses a belt you need to change that ASAP. Honda lists their belt replacement at 7 years or 110k miles, whichever comes first.

Might be a good time to replace the battery before it leaves you stranded.

For other minor things, I would:

• Make sure your air filter and cabin air filter are replaced
  
• Apply 303 UV protectant to all your plastic panels and rubber gaskets (301 aerospace spray)
  
• Spray anti-corrosion spray on your battery terminals
  
• Wash, clay bar, and wax your car with a good sealant
  
• Wet sand and polish your headlights
  
  

I'm not sure what he used, but I have a 07 Mazda 6 and I used this headlight restoring kit from Sylvania, and it did an amazing job! It has a lifetime warranty and it has lasted over a year so far. It took about an hour to do both headlights and I got mine at an Advance Auto store if that helps.

I have these from amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BWBRDJ5?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share They’re really good headlights, i love the look and function of them!

I personally hate most of the ridiculous looking replacement lights, but I don't think these look cheesy at all in person. Performance wise it is 100% worth it. The amount of light these new LEDs put out is fantastic.

Just be aware that due to the way the wiring is set up on our trucks, you will probably have to get an adapter wiring harness. Overall it was about $100 for everything.

Harness Link

Lights

Here's a picture from u/carriemcbride628
https://i.redd.it/u1zqf3mt6kc31.jpg


If you want any more info or pictures let me know.

I purchased https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M09C4FQ on feb 8th, amazon states. These are diffferent ones than the LXLights you posted, different model. I find that these project light pretty well down the road, much much better than the stock high beams did. I think the lows on this model were rated at like 2800LMS.

I have a seething pet peve for yellowed headlights; use this headlight kit and follow up with this coating

I would apologize for unsolicited advice but I'm a little tipsy and tired and I love the subies, especially that blue on the Impreza. Idk which one you got first but they're both baller.

Clean headlights would be even more baller and it's surprising how much it de-ages a car

They are probably the Amazon ones.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M09C4FQ/

I bought a pair. They are pretty good. Much much brighter than stock and mine are aimed about right, it appears, so they aren't blinding people...yet.

Actually good LED headlights have great cutoff (not the cheap $30 crap.) I'm trying out these guys and so far they perform very well.

Same issue but I have a 2001. I replaced mine with these and they look fantastic, the difference is insane.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AX6NLS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also, while you're at it, I'd recommend you polish your headlamp cover up if it looked anything like mine. Had phenomenal results with this kit.

https://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Wax-T-240KT-Headlight-Restorer/dp/B001TI5IIQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480912079&sr=8-2&keywords=headlight+polish

I recommend applying this product after the polish. I have done two sets, the first one I left bare and it yellowed in just a year. The second time i used something like thisand it has been 18 months and looks great still

I used the 3m kit. Works really well, it's fairly involved but is the correct way to do it. You also will have to put some sealant or cover on it to prevent it happening again. I got the xpel kit. Ammonyc has a good guide.



XPEL H3804C Clear Headlamp and Fog Lamp Protection Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007X7R9C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_C47uzb6FAQ6TH

3M 39008 Headlight Lens Restoration System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_j07uzbTH2YH63

https://youtu.be/uqOKmZ9mMfc

I’m using this aftermarket knockoff. But I am verrrrry pleased with it. That could be because my stock light was awful... but fellow riders seem to love it.

I went with these and I've been very satisfied. DOT compliant beam pattern, no flicker, and good output. Been very happy overall.

I used the Mothers NuLens kit which has everything you need except for the drill. Comes with the drill chuck attachment, 800/1500/3000 grit sandpaper attachments as well as the polishing ball and the plastic polish. I took my time, and it took about an hour per light. Well worth the $20 and 2 hours of my time, imo!

3M Headlight Cleaner System

Works amazingly well. I love it. Really cheap too.

Yes, the Wipe New kits are useless. They're essentially a Magic Eraser and some wax.

I would recommend the 3M restoration kit. It's a two-stage wet-sanding kit with disks and a pad that fits onto a standard drill motor. Comes with protectant polish and masking tape. Definitely more effective than the Rustoleum garbage.

I've had good luck with a kit like this: http://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381187321&sr=8-1

This is the best:

Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit

I have used it in two cars just as bad as your Fit and they both had perfectly shiny lenses for over a year.

Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit Amazon

I second this. I ordered these off of amazon last month after someone on this sub recommended them. Easy install. You may want to go ahead and purchase extra tree clips for your grille as they’re easy to break. I got them for <$80 shipped and so far haven’t had any issues / leaks.

LX-LIGHT 7'' Round Black Cree LED Headlight High Low Beam for Jeep Wrangler JK TJ LJ CJ Hummber H1 H2 (Pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B376YOE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_QCaIDb211J367

C Light - https://www.diodedynamics.com/2015-2019-subaru-wrx-sti-c-light-switchback-led-halos.html

Halos - https://www.diodedynamics.com/hd-led-halos-for-2015-2019-subaru-wrx-wrx-sti-pair.html

Blinker Module - https://www.diodedynamics.com/led-flasher-for-2015-2019-subaru-wrx.html (Needed this because I removed my stock blinker lights. Could have wired in resistors, but this was easy and cheap)

LED Conversion Bulbs - https://www.diodedynamics.com/low-beam-led-headlight-for-2015-2019-subaru-wrx.html (Still waiting on these, so haven't tested them, but they'll be in this Friday)

Headlight Sealant - https://www.amazon.com/RetroRubber-Grade-Butyl-Headlight-Sealant/dp/B01N5PM29J

Harnesses to clean up wiring - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QFW8X9Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (Haven't installed yet, but planning on tomorrow)

Used to seal the hole of the old C Light bulb. Ran the C Light and Halo Harness through here - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Permatex-3-oz-Black-Silicone-Adhesive-Sealant-75150/302775053

Used to hold Halo in - https://www.homedepot.com/p/J-B-Weld-0-47-oz-ClearWeld-50114H/303710929 (There's other ways to do this, but this is what I chose)

Paint I used - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Painter-s-Touch-2X-15-oz-Flat-Black-General-Purpose-Spray-Paint-25-Bonus-336099/304221900

I also got the Subispeed harnesses, but I didn't use them because I deleted the stock turn signal bulb.

​

And I think that's it. Be sure to wear nitrile gloves too to avoid finger prints.

​

Also take your time. Don't paint the high beam housing unless you have another plan for those like a second projector.

​

Any other questions or pictures let me know.

​

(Side note, this is probably not done for me and I'll probably post more if I do more with these. Thinking about changing the bumper cover holes where the turn signals were for instance)

Eh, some cheap ass chrome LED bulbs I got off Amazon for like 50 bucks. I just wrapped them with window tint because I kept getting bright lighted since they weren't aimed worth a shit.

I'd highly recommend these instead, DOT approved and everything:

2017 New design 5''x7'' 6''x7'' Rectangle Osram High Low Beam Led Headlights for Jeep Wrangler YJ Cherokee XJ H6054 H5054 H6054LL 69822 6052 6053 with Angel Eyes DRL (Black Pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XRXTX32/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_t9hTzb7V5CAHG

I have them in an unopened box because I barely drive my jeep at night anyways. But, they're plug and play, and ready for whenever my lazy ass decides to install them. Lol

Well, you have two options. You can buff the head lights clear. Either with sand paper or aluminum polish and a buffer. Then you'll have to reseal. What I used and it worked great. But only after you've buffed. Most of the kits are gonna be the same. Just make sure they have a sealant afterwards, or it'll be hazy in weeks.


Or, you can dab a little ATF (automatic transmission fluid) every few weeks and it'll be clear-ish. Just make sure you don't get any of that stuff on your paint.


I think this sort of damage is from those automatic car washes. Didn't have a problem, for years, until I started going to one for a bit.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XRXTX32/

They're DOT/SAE approved as well. Has a nice cut off line as well, doesn't blind oncoming traffic.

If you have a cordless drill purchase the 3M lens cleaner: http://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1396048236&sr=8-2&keywords=3m+lens+cleaner

There are more than enough pads in there for 2 headlights. Take off your front bumper and put up your hood, this will make the task so much easier. Triple painters tape the paint around top and sides. Get a squirt bottle from Autozone, Homedepot, etc and fill it with water. Take your time, it should take around 45 minutes to do both.

Also do them at the same time, each step. Don't complete one and move to the other.

Afterwords protect and clean with: http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-PlastX-Plastic-Cleaner-Polish/dp/B0000AY3SR/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1396048450&sr=8-5&keywords=3m+lens+cleaner

Headlight cover polishing/cleaning kit. Uses 2 progressively finer sandpapers (2000 & 3000?) to wet sand out the scratches, then a buffing compound to polish back to clear. Works great. This is what I used.

Used this kit on my last car, took the lights from a yellow haze you couldn't see through, to a clear lens on one size, and slightly distorted but clear on the other (let it get too hot while sanding). I'd resisted using it, but afterwards felt it was well worth the purchase.

https://www.amazon.com/Headlights-Wrangler-Cherokee-H6054-H6054LL/dp/B06XRXTX32/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=jeep+yj+headlights&qid=1551328763&s=automotive&sr=1-5

This is the amazon link, they are cheap led headlights but work great.

https://www.amazon.com/Headlights-Wrangler-Cherokee-H6054-H6054LL/dp/B06XRXTX32 these are them. Have had em for around 5 months now and they have been great. They are bright. But not blinding to other drivers.

I just did my wife's car with this kit and the results were pretty amazing.

I don't necessarily agree that you have to upgrade the harness to get good lighting. For the price, LED headlights are readily available and have great results versus the stock halogen bulb. These are what I run and I have no complaints with them on my 99. They are 100% plug and play with the stock harness. Just pull the old lights out and plug the new ones in. Easy 5 minute job. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M09C4FQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Direct from China through AliExpress but they weren't available back then like they are today.

(2 Pcs) DOT approved 5" x 7" 6x7inch Rectangular LED Headlights for Jeep Wrangler YJ Cherokee XJ Trucks 4X4 Offroad Headlamp Replacement H6054 H5054 H6054LL 69822 6052 6053 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M09C4FQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_H4nWAbWB67Y6G

Turtle Wax Restoration

Worked great on my car, and I had enough left over to have two other people use it with the same results. Just be sure to read the directions carefully, and do it in the shade on a day that's not so hot.

Edit: Also, don't rub it into or let it sit on the paint.

Yeah, that would work to get some stuff out, but to shine them, albeit temporarily, spend the $12 and get this:

https://smile.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=sr_1_4

If you have an electric drill, this is more fun and you can do more parts of your car:

https://smile.amazon.com/Foam-Drill-Polishing-Inch-Buffing/dp/B076ZJMHB1/ref=sr_1_23

Used https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Two-Step-Headlight-Restoration/dp/B01M75GUJB . Was super easy and there is enough in the kit to do another 2 full cars.

The yellowing was pretty significant so I decided to go with a kit with the sanding attachments to get it clear again: 3M Restoration Kit

Took roughly an hour once i had the headlights out, its super straight forward and all you'll need is a drill. The ones with the wipes or sandpaper sheets were priced the same at the auto part stores around me but decided to go with that one(~$10-20).

I recently used this kit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429NKWK/

Worked great, and most importantly, it includes a bottle of the new UV protectant to put on the headlights after polishing. They look brand new now.

I got these, they aren’t the best headlights out there but they’re a HUGE upgrade over my stock ones https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XRXTX32/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_15HSBbF72H0C3

What makes you so sure it is in the inside? It might appear to be but it usually isn't. I have used Meguiar's G3000 Heavy duty kit and worked great for me. Link

Thank you! I think they look 90% as good as new!!

I used the 3m restoration kit

3M 39008 Headlight Lens... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AIZ5HY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

And this Sylvania restoration and UV coating

SYLVANIA - Headlight Restoration... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KIVYE6G?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Try this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_3FSCDb7XBRWXF

I've used it before, and it worked pretty well. However, make sure to tape around the borders of the headlights

Are these yours? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B376YOE/

My aftermarket headlights have a broad light at night and not really focused on the ground even when I adjusted them down. Worst part is when they are on they mess with the radio performance. Googling says cheaply made lights put out noise that could affect radio frequencies. The previous owner of my jeep put them on and I just been living with them. I was willing to spend for the JW speaker ones but if I can save $400, more money for other mods, lol.

I used this 3M kit to restore them (which I bought when it jumped to $15 for 2 days instead of the average $10 :/) and Meguiar's Keep Clear coating.

If I had to do it again, I'd probably go with this Meguiar's kit that includes the keep clear. I say this because my wireless drill cannot hold a charge and to do both headlights it took me a long time.

SYLVANIA - Headlight Restoration... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00429NKWK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I used to work in a shop and we used to have the gs guys do these.100% beginner friendly just follow the instructions.Everything is done by hand.

After trying to find it on the Home Depot site I realized it wasn’t 3M, it was the Turtle Wax kit. The four little pads looked pretty hokey, and they’re not the kind you can use with a drill, have to do it by hand, but it really didn’t take much to get through all four steps before applying the last two wipes.

That said, watch the video for the McGuire’s protectant someone linked further down in the comments, sounds like a more sustainable approach.

Turtle Wax T-240KT Headlight Lens Restorer Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TI5IIQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_aBt7CbFAKVKPT

You need a plastic polishing solution, either a DIY like toothpaste and finer polishing pastes, or an off the shelf deal like a headlight restoration kit

http://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY

Is the kit I used and it works perfectly well and actually had enough to do my other car too.

Yep they say the sealer is good for a year.

Meguiar's G2970 Two Step Headlight Restore 2Step, 4. Fluid_Ounces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M75GUJB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_p0kwDb8NPH4Z0

Like VibeRaider said, use this.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1511332433&sr=1-4&keywords=headlight+restoration+kit

It works great and remember to use a sealant after you're done or your hard work will be thrown away.

Here's what I did:

1. Watch this YouTube video
   
2. Buy a kit with the stuff he uses. (I bought this kit by Meguiars)
   
3. Follow the instructions carefully and watch the video.
   
   If you're patient and careful, it'll turn out great.

Thank you. I got them from Amazon, thanks to another member's post. Here's a link for you.

https://www.amazon.com/Osram-Headlights-Wrangler-Cherokee-H6054LL/dp/B06XRXTX32/ref=lp_14355767011_1_5?srs=14355767011&ie=UTF8&qid=1500666526&sr=8-5

I'll apply wax, let it dry, buff out by hand then a quick pass with this stuff.


https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Magic-730-6-Headlight-Sealer/dp/B0051PJWQW

Every now and then or whenever I feel like the shine has dulled down a bit I'll go over the bare headlight with some Plastx before applying the wax and sealant and I'm good as new again.

These kits are pretty good. Takes around 30 minutes per light.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004GFTC0E/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1395025061&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40

Toothpaste if you feel like spending almost nothing, but unless you apply a protectant it'll oxidize pretty quickly.

this is what I use along with a wax every few months and headlights don't oxidize anywhere near as quickly

I've heard that 3M's kit works pretty well. You'll want the one with the protectant otherwise you'll find yourself with foggy lights after a few weeks. I haven't tried the kit myself but others online and on r/autodetailing seem to like it.

You can fix this long-term (but not completely permanently) with two steps: First, thoroughly clean the headlights using Meguiar's PlastX, which will restore them to brand new shine. Next, apply a layer of Meguiar's Keep Clear Coating, which will keep the headlights from fogging again for up to one year. You can probably use a different brand of coating, but I haven't found anything else that works as well as PlastX.

You may actually be able to find some pre-built projector housings for yours. I looked and looked and looked, and the only pre-built projector housings I could find for the Vue were for year models 07 and up. Mine's an 03.

So I had to build mine. And the parts I used were pretty cheap so you might save money just building your own anyways.

Here's the parts I used

Nilight 2.5" Mini HID Bixenon Projector Lens

2x 23inch Dual Color White-Amber Switchback Headlight LED Tube Strip Light DRL Daytime Running Light & Turn Signal Lamp For Audi-Style Headlight

RetroRubber OEM Grade Butyl Headlight Sealant, Black

Everbrightt 1-Pair White 70MM 60SMD COB LED Headlight Angel Eyes Bulb Halo Ring Lamp Light With Housing

2pcs 12V HID Xenon AC Car Ballast 55W HID Xenon Bulbs Lamp For Auto Headlights For H1/3/4/7/8/9/10/11 9005 9006

HID-Warehouse HID Xenon Replacement Bulbs - H1 8000K - Medium Blue (1 Pair)

The paint I used was just a can of Rustoleum semi gloss black I got at Walmart for a few bucks.

I also purchased a separate set of headlights to do all this with, as this was my first time. I wanted to be able to take as much time as I needed with it. I can also easily switch back to stock at any time for whatever reason. I would suggest you do the same, if you're planning on building them.

To get them apart, I preheated our kitchen oven to 220 degrees. I lined an old baking pan with a wet towel and set the headlight on it, then put it in the oven for 10 minutes. This will soften the sealant enough so that you can pry the light housing apart.

Then when you're done with all of your modifications, remove as much of the old sealant you can and then line the edges of the housing with the new sealant. Heat it up like before and compress it back together.

[Dude, buy these.] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XRXTX32/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) SAE/DOT approved for LED on Xjs is tricky to come by. These lights are amazing.

This is the exact one i bought, and it turned out really nice, as long as you take your time and do each step thoroughly you will be in good shape.

Yeah I researched this at one point but never got around to it. All I saw was Toothpaste + Baking Soda.. and sand paper.. but never a UV blocker. Prob is i'm 20 miles away haha. My car is 8 years old though and they are starting to fade.
I bookmarked these at one point but never got around to buying them

and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004GFTC0E/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I3L2KS0GBXFJH1&colid=1S9C9YTG1AAL9

Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!

Here are your smile-ified links:

https://smile.amazon.com/Meguiars-G17804-Clear-Headlight-Coating/dp/B01M4RVVX6/ref=sr_1_1

---

Never forget to smile again | ^^i'm ^^a ^^friendly bot

If your headlights were as bad as mine, I can completely recommend the 3M headlight restoration kit.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_Kc1SDbG9AHEW7

It worked insanely good and made the process easy, plus it was only $11. Just follow the instructions and it'll go well, plus a lot of people recommend clear-coating. I can't really do that because the humidity pretty much stays above 80% down here, but the kit has enough material and polish that it could be used a couple more times to do maintenance.

My headlights were much more hazy than that, so I spent a few bucks on this. Worked like a champ!

Yep! Use this. Highest recommended adhesive I could find when searching for what to use and I have it at the ready for when I re-seal my own.

Mine were a lot worse than this and I've tried just about everything on the market. About a month ago I was at Pep Boys and found a new one from Sylvania. It is the best thing I have ever used, I really wish I would have done a before and after. Amazon link http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-38771-Headlight-Restoration-Kit/dp/B00429NKWK

If you have a drill, get a 3M headlight restoration kit. Comes with all the sandpaper pads, compounds, etc that you need, and it's easy. $15 well spent, IMO - took me a couple of hours to do both headlights because I took my time, but they turned out like new.

Restored my headlights about 6 months ago using this 3M Headlight Restoration System (Works GREAT)

These Predator Orion V2 LED Angel Eyes w/ Remote angel eyes from umnitza (Would NOT recommend them! However the angel eyes are awesome)

Clear Corners (Clean fit and no problems)

Stealth Bulbs (A big pricey however they look AMAZING)

Have clear side signals on the way, along with some Langka blob removal for some touchups.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410403758&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+headlight+restoration+kit

3Ms kit is amazing. It works wonders. The one "with protectant" isn't worth the $10 premium, they just include a packet of wax that you might as well just buy a whole bottle of separately.

Is it this guy?. I'm in the states and I don't think there's a canadian tire for a great distance.

LED Headlights-7"/7 inch Round 50W Cree Hi/Lo Beam Motorcycle Driving Light with DRL Turn Signal Halo Ring Angle Eyes for Harley https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MS8NK62/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_r1qlDimLEGpZI

SKTYANTS 7" 7 Inch headlights Housing bucket for Harley Davidson motorcycle(black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073PXW2YC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_JrNw2Uj7KPHEU

Full disclosure I had my local dealer ship put this on, unfortunately. The wiring requires splitting to mount in the harness (I suppose not difficult to do but it's beyond my time/ability). They charged 3 hours of labor. Had them remove the old blinkers as well. They added on a small resistor to decrease the blink speed. So far it works well, but I need to take it apart because they had to grind it down a little to make space and I want it a little cleaner inside.

It just rained XD. And nope, factory headlamps, I cleared them a bit with Meguiar's Headlamp Restoration thingy

Go get this. Use as directed and your headlights will be as clear and shiny as new.

BTW, don't get any other brand. I've used them and they all pretty much suck. The 3m stuff I linked to is like freekin magic.

I'm with /u/pina_koala on this. It looks like surface damage of some sort. You could try this. It's pretty cheap and easy to try it out. It is also available at most part stores.

Its this kit here. http://www.amazon.com/3M-39045-Headlight-Renewal-Protectant/dp/B004GFTC0E/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1458948517&sr=1-1&keywords=3M+39045 Oreillys was getting rid of it and had a sale. I got it for $6, versus their price of $32. It works great!

I had great results with this one: http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-Headlight-Restoration-Kit-Pack/dp/B00429NKWK/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1345951109&sr=1-2&keywords=headlight+restoration

Took about 15 minutes a light and they looked brand new afterwards.

High five!

Nah man just get that 3M kit for 20 bucks. Cleaned up my headlights like new and it has a protection wax so the issue hopefully doesn't reoccur for a while. You get a polishing drill bit too so no elbow grease required. I believe there are three different grits of sandpaper used and a sealing compound at the end. (including the MAGIC trizack disc!) its a wet sand.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY


theres enough stuff in that kit to do at least 2 cars.

the most time consuming part is taping off the lights so that you dont scratch the paint with the sandpaper.

Do you have sealed beam or compound?

I put these in my 94' C3500 and they are brighter than the headlights on my 2018 honda clarity

EDIT: They are DOT certified and have a proper cutoff specifically to prevent "blinding people". It takes less than half an hour to aim them properly with the screw adjustment on every single vehicle ever made.

Thanks for the info! Got any pics of them lighting up the road?

Found em on Amazon for $180 a piece:
http://www.amazon.com/Truck-Lite-27450C-Headlamp/dp/B007ED7HNY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456945106&sr=8-1&keywords=xj+truck+lite

3M 39008 Headlight Lens Restoration System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Uwt2Ab1G3S8SB

I've personally used this kit on a dozen headlights and love the results.

I used Meguires headlight kit on my previous car and it worked perfectly.

Edit: https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G3000-Heavy-Headlight-Restoration/dp/B004HCOE72

I have an 2004 R32 and did the same thing on my headlights last year.

I used this kit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429NKWK (Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit) which was pretty inexpensive ($17 USD)

I spent about an hour on the restore total and was skeptical until I applied the clear coat. Both sides came out near perfect.

Before: http://i.imgur.com/73bGThr.jpg
After: http://i.imgur.com/7oeujnP.jpg

Didn't get before/after pics of the same headlight but they were both similarly rough shape prior. Made it through the winter and still are looking/feeling really clear/smooth.

Love this stuff btw

https://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY

for someone using a drill. I personally think the 3M kit is the best.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412942109&sr=8-1&keywords=headlight+restoration+kit

Picking up one of these kits was easily worth the money. My headlights were completely fogged over, so I used the toothpaste trick. Cleared it up a fair amount, but it was back to bad in about a month. Used that kit, took about an hour and some elbow grease, and they looked literally brand new when I was finished. 7 months later, they still look absolutely great.

Any LED lights would do, I got these off of amazon for 90 bucks and they've been good, just remember to adjust the height so you dont blind oncoming traffic
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B376YOE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_k3NJDb53EMND1

Very nice.
This will make the headlights look brand new if you take about 30-45 minutes on each one, and you'll get a lot more light out of them as well. See videos on youtube showing how-tos.

Meguiar's G3000 is the kit that I used on my car before I put Lamin-X over them. Takes about 10-15 minutes (depending on how detailed you want to be) to clean up each headlight. It really makes the car look brand new, totally worth it.

Amazon has them in black (pair) and chrome as a single unit (you will need to buy a pair of them). I have the chrome one on my Harley and it works amazing.

These are the pair I picked up. I’m going to run them for a couple of days and see how well I/on coming traffic like them.

LX-LIGHT 7'' Round Black Cree LED Headlight High Low Beam for Jeep Wrangler JK TJ LJ CJ Hummber H1 H2 (Pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B376YOE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LLy1AbQ1CKTCB

SYLVANIA Headlight Restoration Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00429NKWK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_qg7.zb7PTYDE7


Just used this kit with great results. Just follow the instructions or the video on YouTube.

https://m.imgur.com/a/Obj3N

Yes it does. Four steps total; 1000 grit sanding, 3000 grit sanding, plastic cleaner w/ drill operated buffing wheel, then sealer.

edit: Amazon link to the product I used https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G2980-Heavy-Headlight-Restoration/dp/B01M2D763D/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_263_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JWS85HZN5XR0X4HH5BNY

This one is cheaper http://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1345951794&sr=1-1&keywords=headlight+restore

Worked great for me.

With this! The reviews are pretty darn accurate. From my experience, be very liberal when you apply the masking tape around the lights, and you might have to break out the old elbow grease for some corners.

Otherwise, shit works like a charm.

They're angel eye lights that I honestly bought off of Amazon. I love them to death: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XRXTX32/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_gifNAbN46TC7F

Jesus, you went balls out. I was just going to use something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Magic-730-6-Headlight-Sealer/dp/B0051PJWQW

At this point i fucked up one of my headlights and like melted it sanding it with a disc that came in a restore kit. I donno wtf happened, but there are like burn marks in the drivers side. So it needs replaced anyways.

My only advice to you..

Look into this..

Beautiful car man.

If you're going to do DIY, I highly recommend Sylvania's restoration kit. I have used it on my daily and some of my family's vehicles as well. A headlight restoration kit is a huge waste of work if it doesn't include a clear coat! Here's the Amazon link to the product: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00429NKWK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2W6uCb4YN50C1?th=1&psc=1

There are lots of kits you can buy to fix that up. e.g

https://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=pd_cp_263_1?pd_rd_w=lReEK&pf_rd_p=ef4dc990-a9ca-4945-ae0b-f8d549198ed6&pf_rd_r=G7AK7VZDBZA9FTQT3XXF&pd_rd_r=ca431d59-9ec6-11e9-b4a7-9b94a0a2c8b2&pd_rd_wg=tpSaC&pd_rd_i=B001AIZ5HY&psc=1&refRID=G7AK7VZDBZA9FTQT3XXF

​

Also a good idea to redo the UV protective layer once you have cleaned it

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Quick-Headlight-Clear-39173/dp/B079QL8BYK/ref=pd_bxgy_263_img_2/138-9026588-4146945?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B079QL8BYK&pd_rd_r=dd75f92a-9ec6-11e9-b48b-e3daa940e298&pd_rd_w=cm8Be&pd_rd_wg=QrjnZ&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=HRJKTHH90FR0Z25QW6ZX&psc=1&refRID=HRJKTHH90FR0Z25QW6ZX

Nothing factory can really match a light bar, or a portable sun as I like to call them. But LED sealed beam replacements, especially if you are willing to pay like $300 for a set of these, are really damn bright.

I've been using Blue Magic as a sealant with some success after polishing headlights.

I converted my SFV650 to this light and an eBay 7" bucket and am happy with the results.

I use the Meguiar's Headlight Restoration Kit It does need to be redone about every 6 months or so, but it only takes 15-20 minutes to pop out the headlight assemblies, do the restoration, and reinstall them.
BTW, is that a 2004? Looks a lot like my front end, except I have a bug deflector.

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G17216-Ultimate-Compound-15-2/dp/B001O7PNNM

it’s essentially a micro abrasive compound, which is used to buff out scratches, hazing and whatnot. it needs to be used after wet sanding to get rid of the hazing left behind from the 3000 grit. then you polish after the compound to get an extremely clean, haze-free result. it’s best to use a buffer to apply them but can also be done by simply rubbing with a microfiber pad.

basically you can get all of these products in a simple 3m headlight restoration kit instead of buying a bigger amounts of each separately. if you only need to hit the two spots left from removing your mudguards, i’d suggest just getting a kit instead:

https://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY

> What HID kit is that, and how easy/hard was the install?

It was a morimoto kit. Square D2.S model


It wasn't difficult. Just laborious.


Steps I took:

• Sourced some glass headlamps on amazon of all places.
  
• Here
  
• & Here
  
• Disassembled them
  
• Heated them up like instructed here.
  
• Scuffed, sanded, and painted the reflector interior. 10 coats of matte black spray paint.
  
• Purchased Square D2S projectors (square probably discontinued) and harness from SparkSmith.
  
• Reapplied the goop adhesive for the glass on the edges with this stuff.
  
• Reassembled glass back on. Applied pressure with some clamps. Reheated in oven.
  
• Reassembled.
  
• Called SparkSmith and they recommended I purchase 5500k HIDs and paired harness. (Great guys btw)
  
• Installed.
  
  This took me 3 months to get done, mistakes inclusive. Because I live a VERY busy lifestyle. You could do it with my advice in two weeks and one dedicated day, shipping time included.

Did you get these exact ones? They're sitting in my Amazon cart until I'm ready to spend the cash: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XRXTX32/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A3MXHV4BORYGO2&psc=1

Those kits will work long term, but you have to treat them for UV. Use this after you polish them: https://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-Headlight-Restoration-Block-Clear/dp/B01KIVYE6G