Refinishing Headlamps - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

PowertoLove · 08-03-2019, 10:03 PM

Both my headlamp assemblies are stone damaged badly factory HIDs. Body shop says they sand them, then polish and spray a finish on them. Has anyone seen the results of doing it this way? New lamp assemblies are 1k a piece and mine are toast.

Tajefe Couple · 08-03-2019, 10:47 PM

I sanded, polished and waxed a couple different sets myself that where oxidized. Turned out great. Never badly chipped however. Some say keeping them waxed doesn't help, but one of the sets I did we still have on a DD vehicle after several years and they never oxidized again. Haven't done a Camaro though.

swampcritter · 08-04-2019, 07:58 AM

I've used the 3M headlight cleaning kit and it works great . all you need is a spray bottle with water and a cordless drill.

PowertoLove · 08-04-2019, 01:12 PM

Mine are chipped and pitted badly from stones and need to be sanded to remove the damage. I was seriously thinking about trading it for a 2016 Camaro but so far I can't find anything I like at a decent price. I got a great deal on the one I have, the dealer really wanted it gone.

Roader · 08-04-2019, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swampcritter

I've used the 3M headlight cleaning kit and it works great . all you need is a spray bottle with water and a cordless drill.

I just did this on mine last month. The kit is not that expensive

Black_SS10 · 08-04-2019, 07:48 PM

If they are pitted and chipped, no kit will repair that. Find replacement ones at a salvage yard, ebay, online, or the dealer.

PowertoLove · 08-04-2019, 08:12 PM

That's what I told the body place but they insist they fix them all the time???

hesster · 08-14-2019, 06:52 AM

Ya got nothing to loose by trying to save them by sanding and polishing. When I installed my Halo's, I sanded with 800/1000/2000 Wet or Dry automotive sandpaper, and polished with Meguiars Heavy Cut, then Fine Cut, then show polish and they look like new. You can even use a small powered polisher as long as you don't build up too much heat (use lots of polish). It will not eliminate heavy chips, but they will be a lot less noticeable if not invisible. Lots of elbow grease, but cheaper than a replacement.

HeadlightArmor · 08-16-2019, 09:38 AM

Refinishing does work. Long term results vary as applying a coating on polycarbonate is harder that it seems. Witness the failed factory coatings from a variety of vehicle manufacturers.

On the DIY end, if your headlights have light pitting applying one of our Headlight Protection Film kits can improve the lights as the adhesive tends to fill in minor pitting netting a clearer lens.

More on the here.
https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82946

If going the DIY refinish route look for a kit / solution that includes a UV clear coat as the final step. Like the Sylvania one: (no affiliation)
https://www.sylvania-automotive.com/...ries/index.jsp

No matter the solution you choose following up with a Headlight Armor Headlight Protection Film application will increase the longevity of the repair as the film will protect the lights from impact pitting and serve as an environmental protection layer.

More in our Vendor thread here:
https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42597

jlcustomz · 08-17-2019, 10:05 AM

On other vehicles, I've had good to great results with my above average sanding & polishing skills, But in the florida sun they reoxidize without protective coating.
On my daily driver sprinter van with lights that should have went in the trash can & got a light rebuffing about 20 times, I cleared with SPI automotive clearcoat a few years ago. As long as you remove all the factory protective coating , 2k automotive clear will melt into the plastic , add back a little clarity over polishing, & hold out same life as you clear paint. 600 to 100 grit final sand. If automotive clearing, you also have the option to tint.
I have access to real painting, so I went this route.
These little spraymax 1 use 2k clear rattlecans could be a diy consideration, but I haven't tested one yet.

08-03-2019, 10:03 PM	#1
PowertoLove Banned Drives: A Sneaky Fast Camaro Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: US Posts: 141	Refinishing Headlamps Both my headlamp assemblies are stone damaged badly factory HIDs. Body shop says they sand them, then polish and spray a finish on them. Has anyone seen the results of doing it this way? New lamp assemblies are 1k a piece and mine are toast.

08-03-2019, 10:47 PM	#2
Tajefe Couple Drives: Never just fly under the radar Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,531 View My Garage	I sanded, polished and waxed a couple different sets myself that where oxidized. Turned out great. Never badly chipped however. Some say keeping them waxed doesn't help, but one of the sets I did we still have on a DD vehicle after several years and they never oxidized again. Haven't done a Camaro though. __________________ 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 Old Skool

08-04-2019, 07:48 PM	#6
Black_SS10 SomeguyK Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: FL Posts: 1,947	If they are pitted and chipped, no kit will repair that. Find replacement ones at a salvage yard, ebay, online, or the dealer. __________________ TMS 427, Dart iron Block, Forged assembly, Frankenstien heads, AGP TT 62/62 BB turbo's, AGP/Fore triple fuel system, Tilton clutch, Holley 1 7/8 shorties, Technostalgia tail lights,Oracle, Aeroforce, MGW shifter,Flowmaster, Pegasus subframe bushings,BMR trailing & toe arms,Z28 UCA bushings,Zl1 rear sway bar,Prothane,BMR,Goodridge brake lines,Ridetech HQ coilovers,3.91,Trutrac,billet caps,DSS axles,HE offest,built TR6060,1LE diffuser,Havoc spoiler,SSclones,20in MRR 017, Pirelli P Zero, Nitto NT555RII More to come.

08-14-2019, 06:52 AM	#8
hesster Drives: '10 C5 SS, '77 Bandit T/A Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 634 View My Garage	Ya got nothing to loose by trying to save them by sanding and polishing. When I installed my Halo's, I sanded with 800/1000/2000 Wet or Dry automotive sandpaper, and polished with Meguiars Heavy Cut, then Fine Cut, then show polish and they look like new. You can even use a small powered polisher as long as you don't build up too much heat (use lots of polish). It will not eliminate heavy chips, but they will be a lot less noticeable if not invisible. Lots of elbow grease, but cheaper than a replacement. Attached Images

08-17-2019, 10:05 AM	#10
jlcustomz Drives: 83 el camaro Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: jacksonville florida Posts: 260	On other vehicles, I've had good to great results with my above average sanding & polishing skills, But in the florida sun they reoxidize without protective coating. On my daily driver sprinter van with lights that should have went in the trash can & got a light rebuffing about 20 times, I cleared with SPI automotive clearcoat a few years ago. As long as you remove all the factory protective coating , 2k automotive clear will melt into the plastic , add back a little clarity over polishing, & hold out same life as you clear paint. 600 to 100 grit final sand. If automotive clearing, you also have the option to tint. I have access to real painting, so I went this route. These little spraymax 1 use 2k clear rattlecans could be a diy consideration, but I haven't tested one yet. __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3mL8...6&feature=plcp https://www.flickr.com/photos/132029468@N08/

08-04-2019, 07:58 AM	#3
swampcritter Drives: 2014 Camaro LS / 13 zl1 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Hayes , Va. Posts: 367	I've used the 3M headlight cleaning kit and it works great . all you need is a spray bottle with water and a cordless drill.

08-04-2019, 01:12 PM	#4
PowertoLove Banned Drives: A Sneaky Fast Camaro Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: US Posts: 141	Mine are chipped and pitted badly from stones and need to be sanded to remove the damage. I was seriously thinking about trading it for a 2016 Camaro but so far I can't find anything I like at a decent price. I got a great deal on the one I have, the dealer really wanted it gone.

08-04-2019, 08:12 PM	#7
PowertoLove Banned Drives: A Sneaky Fast Camaro Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: US Posts: 141	That's what I told the body place but they insist they fix them all the time???

08-16-2019, 09:38 AM	#9
HeadlightArmor Drives: Company Car Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: headlightarmor.com Posts: 3,535	Refinishing does work. Long term results vary as applying a coating on polycarbonate is harder that it seems. Witness the failed factory coatings from a variety of vehicle manufacturers. On the DIY end, if your headlights have light pitting applying one of our Headlight Protection Film kits can improve the lights as the adhesive tends to fill in minor pitting netting a clearer lens. More on the here. https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82946 If going the DIY refinish route look for a kit / solution that includes a UV clear coat as the final step. Like the Sylvania one: (no affiliation) https://www.sylvania-automotive.com/...ries/index.jsp No matter the solution you choose following up with a Headlight Armor Headlight Protection Film application will increase the longevity of the repair as the film will protect the lights from impact pitting and serve as an environmental protection layer. More in our Vendor thread here: https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42597