Headlight restoration Archives

There is always a danger of buying cars on auction as you really don’t get a sense of what the car has been through in it’s life and, in this case the heading “Hyundai Tucson makes a solid come back” is an understatement as this car has been beaten on. A 2005 model city car which somehow ended up at the car auctions and then to us to see what we could do with it.

We will do all this work using DIY techniques and NDG Products. There will be a significant amount of mechanical work to do carried out and to keep the cost realistic as will look for a low millage donor car to source the parts. But our mission is to get this car looking and smelling as close to showroom condition as possible. We have given ourselves a week to complete this project. Is it even possible?

At first look we see

That it was a smokers car so heavy smoking smell and it has been beaten on for some years, very run down with layers and layers of problems
Light beige interior with significant black marks all over the seats and nicotine smells and discolouration from smoking
Cracked centre armrest and heavily soiled
Steering wheel airbag damaged and worn trim
Driver’s seat torn
Worn gear leaver trim
Fuse panel exposed (not a good sign)
Lettering missing off rear hatch door
ABS light on
Radiator leaking and coolant all over the ABS pump and underside of the car (has been leaking for some time)
Valve lifters ticking
Idler pulley noisy causing drive belt system squeal
Power steering pump reservoir hoses swollen and rubbing on serpentine belt
Belt tensioner noisy
Engine bay layered in typical city driving soiling
Paintwork dull and covered in light scratches
Headlights crazed and have been restored some time in the distant past
Rubbish quality window tint causing poor vision clarity
Some sort of oxidisation in spare wheel well ( needs more investigating)
Auto transmission fluid brownish colour
Tyres worn and spare tyre bald
Car drives straight and no wheel bearing or unusual driveline noises and surprisingly no evidence of accident damage or repairs

Hyundai Tucson makes a solid come back — Headlights need a good NDG restoration

Plan of attack

Find a donor car
Diagnose ABS fault
Find source of coolant leak
Clean engine bay and solve engine ticking and belt system squeal
Change engine and transmission fluids and filters
Claybar body to see how much paint correction is required
Cut and polish body
NDG Hyperseal treatment
Clean and restore the interior neutralising the smokers smell
Restore the headlights

Work process

Donor car found (in local wrecking yard)
Removed parts from donor car. Radiator, thermostate, ABS pump, serpentine belt, idler pulley, belt tensioner, abs switch, drivers seat, steering wheel and airbag, luggage security panel, spare wheel, rear hatch lettering, center console and arm rest, body clips and other small trim pieces
Clay bar body
Cut & polish
Mega Gloss Wash
NDG Hyperseal treatment
NDG Acidic engine bay degreaser and pressure clean
Replaced radiator and thermostate
Replaced idler pulley, tensioner and belt (inspected timing belt)
Replaced ABS pump and switch
Cleaned spare wheel well and installed new spare wheel
Carried out NDG Headlight restoration process
Changed engine & transmission oil and filters
Removed all seats, cleaned with NDG Bio Crystal Magic and removed stains from carpet
Replaced Drivers seat, centre console and armrest and steering wheel
Finished off engine bay with NDG Engine lacquer

The results 4 days later

According to the owner: “Simply amazing, the car looks new, cannot believe it, you sure it is the same car?”

In summary

The car is a new as it will ever look and considering that everything done to the car was all done as DIY techniques just as it would in any driveway anywhere. We have worked hard to ensure that NDG products are truely DIY and that you can tackle projects as deep as this and get a great result.

This Hyundai was a great project. It was in a very bad way when we received it and there were doubts as to whether it could be restored, but 4 part days later we got not just a great result we got a perfect result. The car looks close to new condition, and smells just like a new car would with our soon to be released odour neutraliser which installs that showroom new car smell. Keep and eye out for that one as we will be launching it in November 2018.

End

Headlight restoration kits are available everywhere and are priced to motivate the DIY market to buy and try their luck on getting the desired result, clear headlight lenses. The problem is that most if not all of these kits give a great result but it is short lived.

The issue with headlight lenses that once they have been restored with a quick and easy DIY headlight restoration kit is that you cannot use them a second time and expect a good result, in-fact you can very easily destroy the lens. The legacy of using these kits is that in the preparation process you sand to etch the crazing/discolouration off the lens before applying the clear-coat.

The grit is pretty course that leaves deep sanding etching in the lens. This etching is where the challenge begins as it is very hard to get a clear lens on a 2nd restoration and even harder to get a restoration to last the service life of the car.

Typical headlight issues that occur after an off the counter DIY headlight restoration

Hazing

DIY Head restoration/rectification — **Hazing**

Crazing

DIY Headlight restoration/rectification — **Crazing**

Severe Etching

The NDG Process.

What you need

Bucket of clean water
Waterproof gloves
Chamois and 2 x micro fibre cloth pieces
1 sheet of 400 grit Wet & Dry cut in to 10cm * 10cm pieces
1 sheet of 800 grit Wet & Dry cut in to 10cm * 10cm pieces
1 sheet of 2500+ grit Wet & Dry cut in to 10cm * 10cm pieces
5ml of NDG Hyperseal or NDG shield 120 or NDG Screen Shield

Here is what to do

Starting with 400, wet one piece and starting on the most etched damaged area on the lens start sanding in a linear motion with heavy pressure and insuring the 400 grit stays wet but dipping into the water to clean and keep wet. Change 400 grit pieces when sanding effect is diminished.

Keep sanding until the scratching noise reduces significantly and the residue starts to turn white. Wipe the lens to see how it looks and that the major scratching has been reduced significantly.

Using 800 grit with the same process and hard pressure keep sanding the entire lens wiping clear occasionally to see the clarity of the lens. Keep sanding and clearing until the lens looks very clear when wet.

Using 2500 grit and using the same methods as the other grits you start the finishing process. Keep sanding and wiping until no visible etching, crazing of disscolouration. Wet the lens with clear water and wipe down to check on the clarity and quality of finish. (if you need to touch up areas start the process of the more agressive grit papers as required)

Once you are satisfied with the finish wash the lens with water and prepare a clean piece of Microfibre or other lint free cloth and apply a small amount (coin size) and wipe onto the entire lens.

Leave Hyperseal to settle for 3 to 5 minutes before buffing clear with a clean mocrofibre or other lint free cloth or a buff machine with a soft pad.

Now your lens will be good for several years, if not longer. Recommended best practices is to apply Hyperseal to the lens every 2 to 3 years to ensure continued protection.