Mercedes Headlamp Restoration Real Time

Watch as Acrylic-Werks Polish is used to restore faded or "milky" headlamps to like new condition using a 3-step sanding process. This is the full-length/real time video of the sanding process used to restore headlamps where the manufacturer has applied clear coating to the lens. We also have a shortened video of this process (for the right side lamps) in case you don't feel like watching the full sanding process. Total time is about 20 minutes. Despite the many "quick-fix" products on the market, this is the only proper way (sanding process) to restore headlamps with a clear coat issue. This coating will ultimately cloud up, deteriorate, and peel prematurely. (so that dealers can sell you new headlamps at $400 and up (usually much higher), depending on the vehicle) For this issue, the combination of a sanding process and Acrylic-Werks Polish results in headlights being restored to like-new condition that yields a long-term solution.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Mercedes
• Headlamp
• Restoration
• Real
• Time

[robinjohanssonmdh]

Amazing! Will this work on a BMW 5-series E39?

[waynebradby]

@robinjohanssonmdh It will work on any auto headlamp. The issue will be if it is clearcoated or not. If it is not, the polish alone (as shown in many of our other videos) will be all you need to apply. Clearcoat failure will look like a thin film peeliing off. In some areas, it may be entirely gone. The only way to completely remove it is by the sanding process illustrated in this video. For more info and/or ordering, check out the Acrylic-Werks website. (.com)

[joemchang]

It still looks cloudy, what if I want it factory new?

[waynebradby]

@joemchang Both Mercedes and Volvo have lamp patterns that really never look crystal clear, especially from the angle we took the pictures from. If you were to view these lamps after the restoration process at lamp level, you would find they are as clear as they are ever going to be.

[mi16t]

you should wetsand!!! youre gonna burn the plastic with heat from dry sanding

[waynebradby]

@mi16t If you know how to properly use a sander, it should not be an issue. If not, get a professional or someone who does to do this for you. As long as you don't apply too much pressure or stay in one place for a long period of time, you should be fine. If you'll check the 3M site (which, for this PROCESS, we agree with) even they indicate that the wetsand is only done in the last of the 3 grits.

[57prater]

If you use a cordless drill. it works better

[GonzalesAcrylicWerks]

Just a heads up, start from one side of the lamp and work your way across AS the film is removed. Also, this is a "One-Time" process as the film will not re-materialize after it has been removed. Future maintanence will be very, very simple as long as a new film is not re-applied. Let us know if you have any additional questions.

[GonzalesAcrylicWerks]

@robinjohanssonmdh - What year is your BMW? The reason I ask is that some BMW come with a Nano-Film over the lamps. I have not been able to confirm if this is factory or dealer option applied. I ran into this on a 1998 BMW 740il and it really required a lot of work. If this is the case its like sanding paint off a car, so have extra 500G paper disc on hand. I used 2 3M Headlamp Sanding Kits for this vehicle. Still beats paying for new ones.

[GonzalesAcrylicWerks]

@SentimentalCrab - Thanks for the nice words. If you take your time and don't get in a rush, your results will be very nice. If you have any additional questions before you get started, feel free to contact us anytime so we can clear things up (pun intended?... Yeah. Have a great day and we look forward to seeing or hearing about your results.

[GonzalesAcrylicWerks]

@danielinthemix11 - Look at your headlamps closely to make sure it is a failed or peeling clearcoat. Some Merc's depending on Year, Make & Model may have the non-clearcoated lamps, therefore making your restoration job very, very easy. 

[GonzalesAcrylicWerks]

@MrKboat - Look forward to your results and if you have any questions feel free to contact us any time.

[SentimentalCrab]

Yours is THE BEST headlight restoration video on YouTube! I knew I saw a coating on my lenses, and you made everything make sense. I'm a girl, and after watching this vid, I know I can do this. My ML 430 will get a makeover this weekend :-)

~^~Thanks~^~