This DIY thread explains how to restore oxidized and hazed headlights to a significantly better condition resulting in better light output and a little cosmetic up lift.
There is no prior experience required with this DIY however logical precautions must be thought out.
Before beginning make sure the surface of the headlight is cool and you are working in a shade. Furthermore the headlights should be cleaned of any dust and debris as not doing so will be counter intuitive to the headlight correction.
Here are the things required:
A drill machine. (Corded variable speed drill preferred)
Painters/Masking tape.
Headlight restoration kit. (Avg cost is $22)
Detailing spray. (Optional)
The restoration kit includes 1000 grit sanding paper, 3000 grit sanding paper, a buffer with drill attachment, a microfiber cloth, plastic abrasive and headlight protestant.
Begin by taping off the areas that you want to protect from this process such as the painted areas and rubber seals beside the headlight. I have taped it down the middle of the headlight to demonstrate the before and after results.
First take the 1000 grit sanding paper and attach it to the provided backing for better grip.
Generously soak the sanding paper and the headlight with detailing spray. This will ensure even sanding and and keep the headlight nice and cool during the process.You may use water if you wish, I prefer detailing spray.
Begin sanding the headlight with mild pressure making sure to cover the plastic surface completely. Keep sanding until the surface becomes a white haze. At this point the headlight does look worse than you started but worry as it will be corrected in the subsequent steps.
Wipe down the headlight with a microfiber cloth. It will look similar to this at this time. Again note I am only working half the headlight.
Now take the provided 3000 grit sanding paper and repeat as above. The headlight will become a little clearer.
The result of using the 3000 grit sanding paper. It has become a little clearer.
Now on to the next step to buff out the damage caused by the sanding will a plastic abrasive and the buffer.
Here is the abrasive included in the kit.
Put the abrasive on the buffing pad, also ensure that you slightly mist the buffing pad with detailing spray to keep the temperature of the headlight down when buffing and also to avoid drying the abrasive causing dust to spread over the area you are working.
Before turning on the buffer, smear the headlight with the buffing pad with the polish so that the abrasive polish does not splatter.
Put the buffer on the headlight and turn it on after, start out with a slow speed working evenly with moderate pressure on the pad. Gradually increase the speed.
Take frequent breaks in the buffing process to keep the drill and the headlight from getting too hot and misting the buffer with detailing spray in between.
Here are the results are just one pass with the buffer.
The headlight to the left of the tape has been buffed and the one to the right side is untreated.
I repeated the whole process one more time going over the entire headlight.
1000 grit.
3000 grit.
Buffing.
Finish off with wiping on the provided headlight protector. Smear it on, let it sit for a few minutes and wipe the residue off with the microfiber cloth.
A side by side picture of the results:
Hopefully this will be of help.