MK1 Yaris headlight polishing

[furtula]

Since the car is 17 yrs old now, headlights are rather yellow. And with other newer cars on the road having headlights brighter than German AA defense in WW II i was considering polishing them.

It's something i did few times on other cars, and i got the tools for it.

Tried to find similar topics, but nothing helpfull. 

What i am trying to find out, is it worth it? 

It looks to me like the yellowing is also inside the plastic, but once doing a small corner with a kitchen sponge just to scruff it out, it appears to be looking more clearer, and not so yellow.

I will be starting with wet sandpaper, maybe 400-600 grit, don't know what i have left + 3 different abrasive polishing paste.

Just need to know if it's worth it, don't want to remove bumper, do all the work, only to find out that it's also on the inside.

[corradovr6]

its definitely worth it, although what has happened is the protective UV coat has failed.  After polishing i would certainly suggest a UV protectant layer otherwise come summer it will yellow up again.

 

I never used any abrasives on mine in fact i just used car body polish - Meguiars stages 1,2 & 3 on different microfibres.  Done by hand and tbh it wasn't too difficult, but if you have a polishing mop or attachments for a drill it will make it a good sight easier.

Mask off the bonnet, wing and bumper with masking tape and just start polishing it. I misted the lenses with water every so often.  You'll see the yellow colour deposited on your cloth! Looks quite awful but at least you know you're doing something.

I haven't sealed the lenses on my wife's corolla so it does cloud over in the summer, but a gentle polish every few weeks helps me keep it under control.  

 

If the lenses have yellowed from the inside you can either remove them (in an oven, which i've yet to do) and polish the inner face, or just replace them. On my Yaris i replaced them as it was quicker to do. Do have a look at my build thread for some before and after pics.  New lights really do freshen up the front.

[RobertR]

Yes, it's worth it, but only if it's done properly. The best way is just to buy new front plexiglass and swap it, best result but usually the most expensive option.

Yes, the yellow layer is only on the top, just watch some videos on Youtube, ideally, some professionals one doing it (not folks with toothpaste, that's nonsense) and you get the point of the correct way.

The trick is you will remove also the UV protective layer ( well, if your headlights are yellow, there is no UV protective layers present) and this layer needs to be applied because your headlight will be yellow after a couple of months on direct sunlight, after succufull polishing you need to apply some UV protective layer, you can use UV transparent car foil, spray clearcoat or some product, especially for this (google help you).

[TonyHSD]

Hi, 

I have done my dads Vw lights recently with great results, actually I had done 3 times but that one was best of all. I used this kit that includes everything you need, you will also need a spray bottle to keep everything watered and a drill. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154685507419?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=HUYzmiYbTea&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=p34UK1z2T4m&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Follow the instructions and take your time, allow 30-60 min per light to make them nicely. The trick here is to do them with wet sandpaper by hand first step properly until t(e whole unit becomes Matt white Equally. Then work second and third steps with the drill. Make sure when applying the sealant the place is warm 15C° , preferably outdoor order shade and dust free environment and then move the car to place with direct sunlight. Here some examples. 

[forkingabout]

Had good results with this stuff in the past.

https://www.meguiars.co.uk/product/plast-rx-296ml/

[furtula]

I'll give it a go in the next few days, see how it turns out.

WIll just try to polish them, i know they will yellow out again, but after a good polish, a small touch up should bring it back, i have been doing that on Auris already.

Have tried kits in the past, but not really satisfied with the results. It's a shame that you throw most of it away, because it lasts 2-3 yrs atleast, but the cans for final coat are 2 components, so once you pop the can to mix it, it's more or less trash after that, as it hardens.

[furtula]

Dropped the front bumper today and polished the lights.

Right side was more picture friendly, too much light on the other side + weird angle = bad pictures.

I'm satisfied with the results, i did not protect it against UV lights, nor do i plan do. Every few months i will slightly touch it up to restore them.

I used 600 grit followed by 1000 sandpaper, then 3 separate polishing paste. In my case it was some Luster q1, q3 and q5 (just guessing, maybe 1000,3000 and 5000 grit).

At the end, i hand polished with turtle wax + replaced the parking lights, as those things are really hard to get to unless you are able to remove the lights.

 

 

 

[paul9]

Those look much better. I'm going to have to do mine, when I get my Yaris back from loan. I do have a kit or two, somewhere safe®.

[Saxmaniac]

I did this on the cheap with my old Vauxhall Astra, polished out the surface with ever finer abrasives which removed the UV coating. Totally unorthodox, applied paint protection film, ie clear plastic film that you soak in water then spread over the surface. It's fiddly to do due to the curves in the surface and you need to squeeze out air bubbles as you go. However the result is fine and held up over 5 years so far. eBay suppliers have the film 

[TonyHSD]

Very good results here. 👍

[corradovr6]

Great results and looks like a fair amount of elbow grease! It really freshens up the front doesn't it.

The other thing i found made a difference is replacing faded badges (front & rear)