Headlight restoration - Duxback

[Darren S]

This thread reminded me to get my arse in gear and whip over my headlights again. The rest of the car is skanky, but at least the lights are clean!

Another go with The Chemical Guys Headlight Restorer and two cloths.

Such a shame that the plastic is cracked in the nearside unit at the top and the xenon shroud all pitted. Trying to get another in the dark grey is proving very, very difficult.

 

[-Jamie-]

Cerakote also do a similar type product

 

[Jekyll]

@Darren S keep us updated on the longevity on them.

 

[Darren S]

@Darren S keep us updated on the longevity on them.

Will do - probably going to use it a bit more frequently with the upcoming sunnier months.

Probably only spent 2-3 minutes on each headlamp, so it takes no time at all really.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Cerakote also do a similar type product

There are lots of similar products the more you look into it.
I know its only 18 days since I used the duxback but they still look as good
I saw these on eurocararts going cheap so I've ordered 3 boxes.
https://www.eurocarparts.com/search/Optima Headlight Wipe Restoration Kit

 

[imprezaworks]

Tempted to try at 2.99. But i just quickly go over mine with the polisher.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Tempted to try at 2.99. But i just quickly go over mine with the polisher.

Worth a punt at £2.99. I don't need them as I still have plenty of the duxback left but thought I'd get some just to try if I ever need them in future.

 

[imprezaworks]

Definitely.

 

[Jekyll]

Would it be that strong to remove ceramic coatings off headlamps?

 

[Usr117063]

Has anyone clear coated their headlights and how long have they lasted?

 

[MLB]

Would it be that strong to remove ceramic coatings off headlamps?

It definitely messes up a ceramic coated headlight. Done our Civics headlights which were ceramic coated last year and still looking nice and clear. Initially looked alright but now they look all smeary and dull.

As for the Clio headlights, they've already lost their crisp looking clearness and ideally would need redoing.

Four weeks in:

 

[Usr117063]

Wiped with no polish or protection after?

 

[MLB]

Just the 'protection' that came with the kit.

 

[Usr117063]

With the autoglym kit that comes with polish, after a couple months they were going bad on mine.

 

[MLB]

Yeah they all do in the end unless properly clear coated I guess.

I'm tempted to get a quote from a bodyshop near me, but polish, ceramic coat and top up every year before they go yellow works as well.

 

[Jekyll]

The problem I see with getting the headlamps lacquered is that if it chips then you have no way of getting rid of that.

 

[MLB]

Good point, hadn't thought of that.

 

[yeecup]

ordered a kit see how it goes with it. gave mine a polish a few weeks back which improved them a lot but could still be better.

 

[Jekyll]

With the autoglym kit that comes with polish, after a couple months they were going bad on mine.

Is that the kit that comes with 500, 800 and then 3000 trizac with orange pad?

Saw that recently, and thought it's a big jump from 800 to 3000. Definitely needs grades inbetween that.

 

[Usr117063]

Is that the kit that comes with 500, 800 and then 3000 trizac with orange pad?

Saw that recently, and thought it's a big jump from 800 to 3000. Definitely needs grades inbetween that.

Must be another brand. This is the autoglym kit

• 100ml Headlight Restoration Compound
• 1 x Drill bit backing plate
• 6 x P800 sanding abrasive disc
• 4 x P1500 sanding abrasive disc
• 1 x P2000 sanding foam disc
• 1 x P3000 sanding foam disc
• 1 x White compounding pad
• 1 x Microfibre cloth

 

[Jekyll]

Sorry my mistake, I was thinking of 3M.

Still quite a jump from 800 to 1500, I'd be inclined to use at least 1200 in between and possibly 1000 also.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

It definitely messes up a ceramic coated headlight. Done our Civics headlights which were ceramic coated last year and still looking nice and clear. Initially looked alright but now they look all smeary and dull.


View attachment 1538182


As for the Clio headlights, they've already lost their crisp looking clearness and ideally would need redoing.

Four weeks in:

View attachment 1538183

Mine still look the same, they haven't dulled.

 

[Sash]

I got this and did this on one of mine and within a few weeks it back looking crap again. 😪. Still it’s got a few doses left in the bottle 😂

 

[Krarl]

I got this and did this on one of mine and within a few weeks it back looking crap again. 😪. Still it’s got a few doses left in the bottle 😂

Was going to update here with the same, mine look s**t now

 

[Paul172sport]

I tried it on a px sh1ter. Worked for a week then dulling over.
Definitely great for the mot pass tho

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Mines started to go a bit dull again.
Oh well. It lasted almost 2 months, still plenty left in the bottle for a few more applications.

 

[MLB]

My headlights are back to where they were before treatment, not too bad for such little effort but more to get you through mot than a long term solution to me.

Will polish and coat them properly again next time!

 

[frayz]

Basically this is a bottle of magic for the used car dealer. Tosh over before a viewing and never look back

 

[Usr117063]

Why are people not protecting the headlights after? Even with the autoglym kit that comes with polish, without fortnightly re application of the polish the headlights go bad after a couple months.

 

[MLB]

This kit comes with 'protection', it's just not very good.

 

[imprezaworks]

Just get the kit you use with a drill or dual action. Last longer and doesn't take long..

 

[Krarl]

I'm gonna flat mine back tomorrow and re-polish them again. They look w**k

If anyone else wants some Dogscum let me know

 

[plees]

I'm gonna flat mine back tomorrow and re-polish them again. They look w**k

If anyone else wants some Dogscum let me know

Don’t want any of that but you can do my headlights while your at it 👍🏻

 

[frayz]

@Jekyll has been doing some excellent headlight restorations here in Essex. I think i'll just get him to do mine properly and ceramic coat.
If you're in the Essex/Herts area and want a pukka job, hes your man.

 

[Bluebeard]

Basically this is a bottle of magic for the used car dealer. Tosh over before a viewing and never look back

Can I get the link…..

 

[Jekyll]

Thanks for the kind words @frayz

I normally flat through the stages (lowest of 800 to 3000 on a trizac pad) and cut and polish with various pads (green 3m, yellow rupes, 3m green compound, sonax perfect finish) and normally ceramic coat them with dlux after panel wipe.

These kits seem great for the MOT but prove that they are not long lasting, if people's headlamps are discolouring after a few weeks.

 

[MLB]

Eight weeks ago I used the duxback stuff, super quick and easy but after about two to three weeks the bright shine started to dull and after four weeks it was dull enough to bother me.

Now eight weeks later the headlights were about as bad as I could stand so polished and coated them with Gyeon Trim. Total time spent is one hour and ten minutes but should stay nice and shiny for six to twelve months.

Duxback would be a good option to get a car through an MOT or if you don't have access to a polisher though!

 

[Bankrupt_drunk]

Are BMW lights plastic? I assumed they'd be glass.

 

[MLB]

Our 2018 one series lights are definitely plastic.

 

[Jekyll]

Wasn't glass changed in all cars years ago?