Headlight restoration tips/tricks

Thanks watching!
Feel free to follow me on Instagram @integradiy

[@danteisme]

It’s always so satisfying when you sand something and it gets all cloudy and hazy, and then you come by with a buffer or polisher and watch it get crystal clear.

[@IntegraDIY]

I agree man! Sanding and polishing clear coat and headlights is pretty fun and satisfying! I can’t say that about body filler though lol 😝

[@EssexSilvering]

Nice job, looks great, well done.

[@nigelarthur1281]

Thanks, very good video - I will do this to my mini now you have shown me how!

[@BobAtkins]

Thanks man, helped a TON.

[@karlosss1868]

Thanks.... Very helpful.

[@Oplix]

Very to the point video.

[@danielbarnett4769]

Thanks for your video. I did my 2010 Mini Cooper S yesterday and it looks great. Why didn't you use the drill for the sanding?

[@squirrelatwork]

Where are you from?

[@tiney4623]

Much appreciated great video! Just to be clear tho I'm in the UK wish we had hot weather but afraid not. Would you rec clear coating for this instead of polish?

[@IntegraDIY]

You’ll be fine with sanding them and machine polishing, but you’ll have to maintain it a couple times a year with a hand polish 👍

[@julien3794]

hi, hope you see this, but how long did it last before getting cloudy again? I can't find anyone giving any feedback for how long it lasts

[@MichaelBrianInc]

How come you started with 1000 grit on these? I assume there was no old clear left and these have been restored in the past? So only removing oxidation right?

[@faruka213]

What was the compounding stuff you used

[@wilmercanton6145]

Looks like Meguiar’s Ultra Cut Compound 105. You can see it if you pause it when he shows the bottle.

[@jayygee15]

Hi, I’m new to this with my first mini cooper (07 hatchback s). What did you do to polish it after compounding it?

[@IntegraDIY]

I’m not sure, but I think it was just some store bought off the shelf polish. But if you check my short videos, I did my friends 05 mini base hatch, I sanded them with 800 grit and clear coated them with Spray Max 2K clear. Look that clear coat up it’s a 2 part with activator in a spray can. I highly recommend this over just compounding and polishing. If you need more help LMK

[@MichaelBrianInc]

2K clear is garbage and will damage the headlight. Please dont use this product. It’s not purposed for polycarbonate headlights and wreaks havoc on them. One example of permanent damage is mass spider cracking caused under the coating over long term. It can also cause over heating warping and other issues. It’s also a nightmare to remove. I’ve removed this crap off a customers vehicle myself and it’s not fun. Too hard for polycarbonate.

[@IntegraDIY]

@that dude Thanks for the comment, what do you suggest for a proper restoration on old ratty looking headlights?

[@MichaelBrianInc]

@@IntegraDIY Anything specific for headlights. I use Meguairs spray coating on customers vehicles. This can easily last a year or more with proper aftercare. Easy to apply and self leveling on a polished light. One heavy coat is good. No need to stack coats. So one light spray over the headlamp followed by overlapping sprays to thick it on. (Just don’t hold the nozzle for continuous spray, you want to press down each pass) Ceramic coatings are good also. I prefer aerosol vs wipes as wipes can leave streaks and are sensitive to how it’s applied. If you choose a wipes, 3M clear coat wipes are great. Definitely keep away from paint clears.

[@IntegraDIY]

That dude I’ve used all that stuff and more and it’s all garbage. You said clear coat is garbage then you recommended more garbage. I guess the only real way for nice headlights is to buy new. Thanks for watching

[@legendkhanproductions5263]

Better to take to the scrap yard.get 50 bucks for it

[@Fera_Hei]

I have a mini 2010 cooper s can I ask a Q

[@DrewPWebos]

No!