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3M Headlight Lens Restoration System
 
Manufacturer: 3M
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $14.16
Availibility: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description

In the past, replacing scratched, clouded or yellowed plastic headlight covers was an expensive necessity in order to preserve safety. But now with the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System, car and motorcycle owners can shine and restore plastic lenses — including headlights, tail lights, fog and directional lights — to like-new condition for a fraction of the cost. This kit includes everything needed to restore two headlight lenses, excluding the user-supplied household drill (1200-1600 rpm), automotive tape, clean cloth, and spray bottle.

3M Headlight Lens Restoration System packaging
Restore clouded plastic headlights to crystal clarity.
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Scratched headlight example used with the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System
Plastic headlight repair in 3 steps.
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Home power drill used in the wet sanding step as part of the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System
2-step sanding process.
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Home power drill used in the buffing step of the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System
Buff and polish.
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Example of a headlight restored using the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System
And see clearly again.
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Clouded Plastic Headlights
Plastic surfaces are great for giving vehicles lightweight, durable components – from plastic headlight lenses to motorcycle windshields, plastic tail lights, trailers and more. But these plastic components can yellow and haze with weather, sun and sand, limiting visibility and diminishing the appearance and value of the vehicle. While the impact on a vehicle's value varies, the dangers in terms of limited visibility are clear: It is a factor in 2.8 million accidents, 23,000 fatal crashes and 2,300 pedestrian deaths each year, according to the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council. Dim headlight bulbs and hazy plastic headlight lenses or surfaces may lead to this reduced visibility, putting you, your passengers and other cars at risk. The AAIA Car Care Council found that 26 percent of the cars it inspected had issues with their lighting system. Millions of cars on the road today have plastic headlight lenses. The problem increases with the age of the lens, and with the average age of cars on the road about 10 years old, the problem is growing. Yet there is something you can do about it.

The Do-It-Yourself Solution
The 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System is designed to give do-it-yourselfers an easy and affordable way to repair their vehicle's plastic lens surfaces. Containing various graded sanding pads, pad holders, buffing pads, polish and detailed instructions, it includes everything users need to turn their household drill into a low cost solution to this dangerous automotive problem. The Lens Renewal Kit can also be used to repair hazing on other plastic surfaces, including taillights, emergency light bars, plastic motorcycle lights, trailers, snowmobiles and more. Compared to having headlight lenses commercially repaired for approximately $75-$150 or replaced for up to $1,500, the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System costs a fraction of that price, and the entire process takes under an hour, depending on the extent of the damage.

How Does it Work?
The steps for using the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System are as easy as 1-2-3. First, sand the hazed surface in a two-stage wet sanding process with the enclosed sanding pads until the surface is smooth and the dulled layer is removed. Then polish with the 3M plastic polish, and buff with the buffing pad to the level of clarity desired in the plastic. In addition to a standard household drill mentioned (1200-1600 rpm) used in the buffing process, you will also need 3M Automotive Masking Tape to protect the body panels of your car surrounding the work area, and a spray bottle and water used in the wet sanding process. Otherwise, everything that you need is included in the kit.

Features:

  • 3M abrasive technology and a polishing compound to restore hazy and dull headlight lenses, as well as other plastic lens surfaces on your vehicle.
  • System is intended to restore two headlight lenses.
  • Utilizes the muscle power of a common household (1200-1600 rpm) drill to do all the necessary sanding and buffing.
  • This inexpensive kit saves hundreds of dollars and restores crucial night time visibility by restoring your own lenses.
  • Easy, 3-step process requires as little as an hour to remove scratches and restore cloudy, dull lenses.
What's in the Box
1-disc pad holder, 1-3M soft interface pad, 6-3M sanding discs, 4-3M finishing discs, 1- 3M trizact disc, 1-3M headlight lens polish/rubbing compound (1 oz), 1-buffing pad, step-by-step directions.

Limitation of Liability
Except where prohibited by law, 3M will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from the 3M product, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential, regardless of the legal theory asserted, including warranty, contract, negligence or strict liability.

About 3M
3M is fundamentally a science-based company. They produce thousands of imaginative products, and they are a leader in scores of markets - from health care and highway safety to office products and abrasives and adhesives.

Product Details

  • Easy, 3-step process requires as little as an hour to remove scratches and restore cloudy, dull lenses
  • Features 3M abrasive technology and a polishing compound to restore hazy and dull headlight lenses, as well as other plastic lens surfaces on your vehicle
  • System is intended to restore two headlight lenses
  • Utilizes the muscle power of a common household (1200-1600 rpm) drill to do all the necessary sanding and buffing
  • This item is not for sale in Catalina Island

Video Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Beautiful results.....
 
Review Date: September 6, 2010
Reviewer: Darlene Alfonso,
The headlights on my 2005 Altima were foggy and scratched (from me trying to sand, BAD IDEA). I followed the instructions perfectly, and the kit worked very well...they look like BRAND NEW, like the day I bought my car. The only mistake I made on the first one, was not masking enough, so I had some damage to the paint. So......OVERMASK, so that won't happen. Other than that, the product is awesome.
2001 Bonneville
 
Review Date: September 6, 2010
Reviewer: S. Springer, NC
Tonight I spent an hour and a half restoring the headlights on my 2001 Bonneville and drinking beer (added at least 1/2 hour). I am more than pleased with the results. My wife primarily drives the car with my two children on board. The headlights got so hazed they were dangerous at night. After using this kit the headlights are as good as new. I highly recommended this kit.
Better than the folks at walmart
 
Review Date: September 6, 2010
Reviewer: fozzking, tempe,az
I tried once with a liquid abrasive polish to do my lenses but it didn't work. Then, I paid the $30 or $40 bucks to have the folks at wal mart do my lenses. They came out better than when they went in but i wasn't completely satisfied. I decided to attack the problem myself a few months later. I know from my job, that 3M makes some great products. When i try a cheaper kind of product, for instance masking tape, the cheap kind will stick to the project but the 3M peels right off.

i probably spent 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours per headlight. I went slow back and forth, up and down, and had the disc turning pretty slow as well. My plan was to go lightly, take my time, and get the best finish i could. You must make sure to tape off everything around. They say to tape off the painted areas but i didn't think to tape off the corner lights. After i accidentally hit the corner lights, i knew to tape everything. The benefit of using this sandpaper method vs. the liquid abrasive polish is that with the sand paper you can actually see the yellow-ish tinted dust collecting on the bumper and ground. With the liquid treatment i tried before, it was just a wet sloppy mess everywhere. I kept wiping the lens and dusty area. When the dust turned white to clear, I knew i was ready to move on. All in all, i think it looks fantastic. I didn't give it 5 stars, because it is never going to make it brand new, but it sure is close.

I'm going to try to add photos to the review, I don't know why I am not able to right now. I will try to add it to the top. It will be a silver car with blue masking tape.
Works perfectly!
 
Review Date: September 4, 2010
Reviewer: B. DeLuca, Fort Worth, TX United States
This kit sanded off the yellow and had my headlights looking new in no time. Really fantastic product can't say enough good things about it.
Exceeded Expectations
 
Review Date: August 31, 2010
Reviewer: Jamie,
This product exceeded my expectations. Directions were accurate and easy to understand. My cordless drill was on a job site so I used an old corded Makita that turned at 1050 RPM. I think this was a big plus as the drill had a trigger lock and allowed me to use both hands to better guide the process. I have been in the building and wordworking business for 30 years so using tools to sand was nothing new. For someone inexperienced with sanding and buffing I think the process could be a little challenging but not impossible. It took me about 25-30 minutes per headlight. I used 3 500 grit, 3 800 grit, and about 1/3 of the compound. I think I have enough left to do my daughters car. Make sure you protect the paint with at least double masking. I triple masked. And be careful not to get the edge of the pad under any protruding metal, as it will quickly rip the foam. Overall A+.

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Filed under: Automotive

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