Repairing Honda HRV headlights

My girlfriend has got herself a rather fab Honda HRV, but like so many of this model of car the headlight covers have become scratched and almost misty. Having looked at various Honda discussion forums we have learnt that it is a fairly common problem and nobody has seemed to have had an answer other than buying new light units (which gets pretty expensive).

However having looked at the scratched up plastic I figured that one of the products that I use in my work as a guitar maker may hold the answer. The product is called "Micromesh" and it is a cushioned abrasive paper that was developed for removing fine scratches from Aircraft windscreens (I normally use it for finessing finishes on guitar paintwork or for burnishing wood to an ultra smooth finish).

As well as the micromesh we used some fine abrasive polishing compound - similar to T-Cut called Mer and a lot of old fashioned rubbing.

Thought it would be good to film the work and share with other Honda owners

Here is a link to some info on Micromesh :
http://www.ss-sci.com/micromesh.htm

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Honda
• HRV
• CRV
• headlights
• scratch
• removal
• polishing
• micromesh
• headlight
• scratches
• buffing
• paint
• abrasive
• cut
• autoglym
• meguirs
• washing

[gymm56]

I was thinking about replacing the units on my HRV but will certainly try what you did first. Thanks for the tip!

[FelineGuitars]

@gymm56 . Certainly worth a try first as it may save you a lot of money. The HRV is a good car and much loved in our family. Do look at some of the similar videos as there are some other good tips there too. Hope it works for you.

[TheWINKYFACES]

Hey, Thats Cool. Their is one other way i have used . A buffing wheel with jeweller rouge on the course scratch. the use a clean fluffy buffing wheel with white plastic Rouge. The art is keep buffing wheel clean and no when to change up to the plastic rouge. Also like your method never press hard change direction, Cheers wb

[FelineGuitars]

@TheWINKYFACES You're right . As I have a buffing wheel in my workshop I could have removed the whole light unit and buffed the plastic to a fab shine - still might do that if I get time!

[sirrius183]

I coated mine with Johnson's Klear floor polish, works a treat and adds extra protection.

[hazegry]

I did the same thing to mine and mine were very bad if you take a few more min inbetween each grit and use a spray bottle with your washing up liquid and spray off the headlight inbetween each grit you will not need polish.

[torgeirm1]

Thank you so much for the tips, from Norway

[hellisheidi]

i´v uset 400 water-sandpaper and then sprey with clear paint on spraycan and its good on cars like old yaris who get extra dark lihgts turning 12 years (icelandic english) looks not like new but less work and maby better for wery bad light

[tazzcaaarlovr]

good job!

[mattylovin1]

I tried this on my Honda HRV headlights and it works, thank very much it worked great

[pinoyALLmotorEVOIXMR]

wow. that actually works. good job

[medoc23]

Man, I`ll do that a.s.a.p. since my headlights are not so good but I`d like to have them shiny & clear again!!