E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)

[Zed Five]

Not much to do today, so I decided to sand down and polish up my headlights. After 3 and half years and over 100k miles, they were starting to look shabby.

(and before anyone comments, I then cleaned the engine bay! :roll: ).

Before:


After:


They need a second pass really. I then did Mrs Five's Golf. They were worse to start with, but the result was much better! I need to do the Zed again now.

Really easy with some 500/800 discs and cutting compound.

 

[Dale_B]

Good results, big improvement.
It's not until you compare old/new you realise the big difference.

 

[E89_Gaz]

They look much better
Do you have any dust on the inside? In the dark with the lights on, I am sure I can see dust on the inside of the lens.

When you say 500/800 disks, did you use a DA or similar to rub them down or did you do it by hand?

 

[BrianD]

What a transformation, I think I will have a go at doing mine next weekend!

 

[andysat]

Wow 100k?-how is your front end paint doing?

 

[R.E92]

Great results. You should do a small DIY.

They look much better
Do you have any dust on the inside? In the dark with the lights on, I am sure I can see dust on the inside of the lens.

When you say 500/800 disks, did you use a DA or similar to rub them down or did you do it by hand?

I actually have a fly inside mine.

Is there any way of getting into the light to clean it?

 

[E89_Gaz]

No way to get inside enough to clean the lens but I wonder whether removing the headlight, pouring in a dose of IPA and swishing it around might do the trick? There again, it could end up being a very expensive mistake

 

[Zed Five]

Great results. You should do a small DIY.

They look much better
Do you have any dust on the inside? In the dark with the lights on, I am sure I can see dust on the inside of the lens.

When you say 500/800 disks, did you use a DA or similar to rub them down or did you do it by hand?

I actually have a fly inside mine.

Is there any way of getting into the light to clean it?

Send in a ladybird? :wink:

 

[Zed Five]

They look much better
Do you have any dust on the inside? In the dark with the lights on, I am sure I can see dust on the inside of the lens.

When you say 500/800 disks, did you use a DA or similar to rub them down or did you do it by hand?

I used a bosch electric drill on quite a low speed. It can be done by hand, but the drill makes it easy to get good results

 

[pvr]

Did you seal it with something to avoid it deteriorating quickly?

 

[pvr]

Looking very good by the way.

 

[Zed Five]

Did a last run over with the polishing pads with a little wax. It wont last, but a quick cut once a month should keep them fine.

With the mileage racking up I'm not too precious about it. The front end paint still looks good, thats why I chose grey. Very forgiving.

 

[Bushido]

Excellent job. Will keep it in mind when I need to do the same.

 

[Brasseye]

Great job takes miles off its looks.