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02-02-2012, 12:59 PM
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#1
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Central FL
Posts: 166
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Rejuvenate headlight lens?
Need to rejuvenate one of my head light lens or replace it. Has anyone done the job? If so can you share any tips and tricks?
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2012 Phaeton 40 QBH, 2011 Ford Explorer & 2013 Jeep Wrangler Toads via BlueOx, TPMS by TTS, Delta Force toad brake system.
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02-02-2012, 01:07 PM
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#2
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Columbus, TX
Posts: 8
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My lenses became very foggy so I took them to WalMart where they advertise a proceedure to fix them. They actually did it twice on mine and they still are not clear. I think this was discussed somewhere on this forum before but don't remember where it is.
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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Barbara Spade
Jaymie (Sheltie/Pom) and Luke (Sheltie/mix)
35' Sea View (Class A) MH & Honda CR-V toad.
Good Sam Charter Life member/FMCA/SI/Escapees/Thousand Trails
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02-02-2012, 01:33 PM
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#3
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Grand Prairie, TX (DFW)
Posts: 29
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Kent - '03 Fleetwood Storm Ford F-53 V-10
With Susie (Lhasa); Angie (Shorkie) Ferbie (ShihTzu)
In Memoriam: Katie, Spencer and Zoey
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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02-02-2012, 02:17 PM
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#4
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1
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I used Meguiars on mine (2006 Fleetwood Revolution) 8 months ago. They still look like new. Took less than 30 minutes for both. I recommend it.
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02-02-2012, 02:23 PM
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#5
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 108
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They sell kits to do them which you can purchase at WalMart or any automotive supply store. You can also do it with some wet sandpaper, rubbing compound, poish and clear sealer.
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Steve & Sally / HiTee & Hudson Our Little Poms / Heidi & Houston Forever in our Hearts
04 NEWMAR MACA 3778 W22 / 05 PT Vert
Michigan (Summer) Michigan (Winter For Now)
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02-02-2012, 02:32 PM
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#6
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 22
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Apply most any auto polish and remove with a buffer...
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02-03-2012, 11:46 AM
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#7
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: The Villages, FL
Posts: 62
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Haven’t done my MH lenses, yet, but they will get the treatment sometime this year. Last year my car mechanic, also a MH owner, told me he wasn’t going to be able to pass my 2000 Chrysler on state inspection much longer, as the headlights were so aged, pitted, and fogged. I bought a 3M kit to do the job. It took considerable intestinal fortitude to chuck what looked like a pretty coarse sanding disk in my old Craftsman drill and apply it to the plastic. And the feeling just got worse as I covered the first lens with swirling scratches, rendering the whole surface completely opaque. But, what the heck, it is an old car, and new headlight assemblies would cost several hundred dollars. But, carefully following the directions, after the succeeding finer disks and polish, those lenses came out stunningly clearer than original—not a trace of a scratch left!
My best tips are to have a good sitting place while working, so you can brace yourself and control the drill easily with both hands. Place extra emphasis on the instruction to tape around your headlight—use plenty of tape. An extra couple of layers will allow you to rub the sanding head right up against the edges for a complete job without hurting the surrounding paint or trim.
My mechanic couldn’t believe his eyes when he next saw my car. He says there are several products out there that make big promises but are not worth a hoot. I can confidently recommend the 3M kit. Good luck and fly low!
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Dean (flew west) & Diane - Fulltiming since April '12
2004 Itasca Suncruiser 38R, Workhorse W22, Blue Ox, 2014 Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback (auto trans), 320 watts of portable solar
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02-03-2012, 12:31 PM
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#8
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 86
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Consider Mothers Power Ball Headlight Restoration Kit. Easy to do and works on my lenses for one year. Just a touch up one a year and they are like new.
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Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910 + GMC ENVOY XUV 37K lbs Moving Down The Road
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
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02-03-2012, 12:57 PM
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#9
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Bel Air, Maryland
Posts: 7
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I did mine last year, they were rough it made them 75% better. I wasn't happy so I bought new ones off e-bay (same as my 1997 F-250), yet to be installed. Jim
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Jim/Lois 1999 Newmar Mountain Aire MACA3797 F53 - V10
Bel Air, Maryland 5 Star Tuning & Air Lift Bags
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02-07-2012, 09:00 PM
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#10
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 2
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I have used the Mequiars lens cleaner/polish on both my motor home and tow car. I did a good job and was pretty easy to do. I have the reflectors on both motor home headlights severly yellowed and not much reflection left. I bought two new headlights but have not changed them out yet. Will do that soon. Don't know why the yellowing as it's covered when not in use. Any Ideas?
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02-07-2012, 09:33 PM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 164
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3M kit at any auto parts store... count on 2x the length of time they claim to get it done....
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02-11-2012, 01:03 PM
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#12
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 214
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Consumer's Reports just did an evaluation on 4 systems in the March 2012 issue, The Sylvania kit came out on top, with the 3M next, but the Meguiar's wasn't one of the 4. I have no experience with any of them.
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Ole and Anne Anderson, Highland, Michigan
'02 Adventurer 32V, Ford F-53, ours since 4/08,Goodyears, Konis, SeeLevel, CHF
'84 CJ-7 , 5.3 Chevy, 3" lift, 33's, Detroit Locker, Fiberglas tub, winch, hi-lift
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02-11-2012, 01:19 PM
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#13
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southeast Pa.
Posts: 4
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Use tooth paste--it's a cheap fix and it does work.
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Thane & Sharon
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02-11-2012, 01:20 PM
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#14
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: The Buckeye State
Posts: 35
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I had mine done at Lazy Days last year as part of the purchase of my 2004. Better, but not great. After I learned that the headlight was from a 2001-04 Nissan Frontier, I bought a new aftermarket set on eBay for $80. A much better solution for me, I'd suggest you price replacing them.
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Kent & Sue & Pecos
2010 Allegro Bus 43QRP
Formerly 2004 Itasca Horizon 40AD
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02-11-2012, 01:44 PM
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#15
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Texas Oil Fields
Posts: 1
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I buy a product in Quartzite. I use it for headlamps, aluminum wheels, gel coat, shower glass and most any other surface. Flitz w a wool wheel does a great job.
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Michael and Sherri Phelps and Jackson
03 Phaeton w 3126 cat
99 Wrangler
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02-11-2012, 02:36 PM
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#16
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
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I have used the 3M kit on my Dynasty. It does work but after less then 1 season it was back almost as bad as before. I touched it up again but it fogging up again. I was able to buy replacement Headlamps at a very good price (they are BMW units from a 90s series car the number is on the lens). The ones I bought were used but perfect clear lenses. I also replaced the adjusting post cost was $6. I believe that once they are done there is no way they will remain clear for any normal time. Perhaps the sanding etc. Just my experience, yours may be different.
Robert
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2001 Monaco Dynasty
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02-11-2012, 02:41 PM
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#17
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lodi Ca Zinfandel Capital
Posts: 2
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3m for real bad lenses. Mcguires (sp) did not touch them
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Bill & Donna Rowe 04 36' Rexair DP
Max & Abby (mini dachs)
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02-17-2012, 07:33 PM
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#18
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 343
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I've seen both good and not so good results. You might see what the headlights cross-reference to; for example, my Itasca uses Chevrolet Suburban headlights, which can be purchased for pretty reasonable prices on sites like ebay. ($32-38) Replacing them could be far less labor intensive, and you'll know that they for sure will look 'brand-new' after they are installed. And, as already noted from another post, you won't need to do it again in one year.
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02-17-2012, 07:55 PM
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#19
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 28
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You might first Google the full headlight assembly. It seems that recently the prices of the entire assemblies have fallen through the floor.
Jeep Cherokee entire assembly with bulbs in the $60-70ea range and Lexus RX300 the same. Replacing the assembly may often take less than 15-30min and be brand new all over again. I know a couple years back these were in the multi-hundred dollar range. Lots of how-to videos on line as well.
I used to polish and when I saw those prices I replaced in less time than it took to polish with new bulbs to boot!
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