Product review. 3M Headlight restore kit.

[Vortech347]

Well, flat out. Spent 2 hours following directions and they turned out about 10% better than they were before. The kit sucks, save your money.

The little 500 grit sanding discs clog almost immediately. The directions don't mention anything about wetting them but I did anyway. That seemed to get them taking some material off. The 800 grit ones actually seemed to cut better.

I'll add some pictures tomorrow. Good thing I snagged this kit for 15$ on ebay. Usually 3m stuff rocks. Not this product.

They look a "little" better. But not worth 2 hours of time I could have spent doing other things.

[License2Bill]

3M makes a couple different kits based on the severity of pitting/yellowing. Which one did you use? I've used the "severe" kit in the past and been happy with the results. That's the one with the piece that attaches to the drill.

[sailsmen]

Almost a year and mine are holding up well.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=82582

[whitey]

Get CVC, Crystal View Chemicals, its in a reflective bag at Walmart or a flaps. It was in the clearance section at Walmart for $11, i picked up 2. I used this product before and actually used it yesterday on my mm. Outstanding results, lifetime guarantee.

[Vortech347]

I'm just stating my results using the 3M kit. Not the method.

My kit was the one with the drill attachment.

Before and after.
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1231122_10202074016356221_1981 224703_n.jpg

After. I have some sort of weird marking inside the plastic. Reminds me of the milky way stars.
https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1013158_10202074016556226_1466 86454_n.jpg
That isn't on the surface, nor on the other side.
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1010927_10202074016156216_1143 822062_n.jpg

[sailsmen]

Get CVC, Crystal View Chemicals, its in a reflective bag at Walmart or a flaps. It was in the clearance section at Walmart for $11, i picked up 2. I used this product before and actually used it yesterday on my mm. Outstanding results, lifetime guarantee.

It is the best of the "restore" kits I have used. Eventually they become so porous the "sealer" does not hold.

The UPol is a paint that works very well.

[Curless]

Not to start an argument or anything but your headlights are bad internally....Here at my shop we use the 3M kit exclusively. I did mine before MVXI and it worked great. The Master kit comes in a zip up bag with an air grinder and an air polisher. 4 levels of sanding, one level of cleaner and one level of polishing. Complete instructions on how to do it including a dvd and the instructions do tell you to wet it down. Once the headlights get "so" old they are going to deteriorate internally...this can't be helped or stopped.

[lji372]

It is the best of the "restore" kits I have used. Eventually they become so porous the "sealer" does not hold.

The UPol is a paint that works very well.

i used a turtle wax kit. basically pitched it.

bought a variety pack of paper from the auto parts store and a can of upol from the paint store per advice on this forum. wax on, wax off.....:beer:

[Vortech347]

Not to start an argument or anything but your headlights are bad internally....Here at my shop we use the 3M kit exclusively. I did mine before MVXI and it worked great. The Master kit comes in a zip up bag with an air grinder and an air polisher. 4 levels of sanding, one level of cleaner and one level of polishing. Complete instructions on how to do it including a dvd and the instructions do tell you to wet it down. Once the headlights get "so" old they are going to deteriorate internally...this can't be helped or stopped.

Not an argument at all. The headlights look aweful. ;) I actually got kinda pissed and grabbed my air grinder and put the attachment in that thinking more speed would help. It didn't. I was able to put more pressure with the drill and get a better cut than when the air would bind up. But then again, my air grinder is a little 20$ home depot one. If what you say is true, then my lights are a lost cause and hopefully others look at those pictures before taking the time and effort to do theirs.

I'm thinking about maybe disassembling them and trying this process on the inside. But the markings seriously look like deep IN the plastic, not the inside or outside.

[jwibbity]

i followed these steps and they turned out almost perfect!!

http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=83336

[BLACKMAGIC03]

Not to start an argument or anything but your headlights are bad internally....Here at my shop we use the 3M kit exclusively. I did mine before MVXI and it worked great. The Master kit comes in a zip up bag with an air ginder and an air polisher. 4 levels of sanding, one level of cleaner and one level of polishing. Complete instructions on how to do it including a dvd and the instructions do tell you to wet it down. Once the headlights get "so" old they are going to deteriorate internally...this can't be helped or stopped.

Wwe use the same kit at work...but as cureless said they look like internal. Mine were hrorrible didnt want to take the time to do it bought aftermarket and put lamin-x on them and two years later still look great..another thing we do at work Is sabd with 320 and then 800 and spray with ppg clear looks brand new

[justbob]

I've tried the turtle wax crap and found it to be a joke.

I tried the 3M kit on my Escort and DAYUMN! They were totally yellow! After the 3M, damn near new! I couldn't believe the results with my own eyes. I really wish they would have included a couple more discs however, but considering my lights were so bad, I guess they supplied an adequate amount.

But until I find something to clear over my headlights, I won't be touching them on the MM due to the fact a year later the Escort has already turned mostly yellow again.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[maineiac]

i followed these steps and they turned out almost perfect!!

http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=83336

I have also done this works great and 10 months later and still look good,tried it on a spare set i have that i thought where beyond repair and they look almost new.

[lji372]

I've tried the turtle wax crap and found it to be a joke.

I tried the 3M kit on my Escort and DAYUMN! They were totally yellow! After the 3M, damn near new! I couldn't believe the results with my own eyes. I really wish they would have included a couple more discs however, but considering my lights were so bad, I guess they supplied an adequate amount.

But until I find something to clear over my headlights, I won't be touching them on the MM due to the fact a year later the Escort has already turned mostly yellow again.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

Bob, that's why you need upol or any brand of clear with uv protection after the sanding and polishing.

[Vortech347]

How about Target SPF 50 sunblock?