Recently noticed this pitting on the upper edge of my headlamp lenses. Didn't realize how bad it was until today when I was on the garage floor looking up at them. Strange that it's not on the face of the lens, just the upper edge. Looks like they've been sand blasted. Hardly any on the inner lens, mostly the outer. Maybe just the way the wind currents hit the lens?

Anyway, is this common? Tried a little plastic polish, helped a little, but not much. Will something like a 3M headlamp polishing kit take these out?

Thanks,
-Michael

 

Michael,
Check out my "How To" in the sticky section for head lamps.

Jason

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ng-how-120294/

 

+1

Yes the 3M kit will work wonders!

 

Jason and Jim, thank you very much! Didn't realize it was a common issue, hadn't seen it come up before on this section.

Makes sense now that you say it's UV damage!

I'll give it a try and post back

-Michael

 

Here's a few others that might help some....


https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/d...light+restoral

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/d...light+restoral

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/d...light+restoral

Good luck

 

Yes, it's all a matter of elbow grease, I'm afraid ! I did mine about 2 years ago, and they are still pretty good. It's hard work, though.

 

Wanted to update... got the 3M kit and my lights look like new! Was actually even more conservative than the instructions, I started with the middle grid on most of them, and wet sanded all grits to prevent damage. Really couldn't be happier with the results!
Before:


After:

 

Nice one, looks so much better, thanks for coming back and finishing the post.

 

OUTSTANDING!!!! They look wicked awesome!!!

 

I'm doing this very soon. My '06 is in similar condition and the S-Type is getting pretty bad.

 

It looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing the pictures.

 

05XJL. My lights look the same, but I believe what caused it on my car, was detailers. The previous owner must have used detailers to get the car looking new, but they used a BUFFER to polish the finish and the buffer came down on the lens and burnt them. All four are the same--alone the top portion of each lens.
A local collision center said they will make them look like new again and even clear coat them. Guareenteed for $185.00. May try the 3m product first.

Chuck 05/XJ8L

 

I was planning to use the kit and then clear coat afterwords. It is a good way to seal the repair.

 

Looks good!

 

Just to up date my post above, I used the 3M product and the results were just like MHamiltons above. Perfect. No need for additional photo's.
The secret is a light touch and use a directed. I was so amazed, I took the stuff over to my neighbors and did his wife's Van. She was tickled ----less.
Product has enough stuuf to do 6 headlights, with enough stuff left over, that their refill kit will more then enough fill.
One note: When I purchased the kit, the kit I picked up was $39 bucks. The good salesman said he had the same kit at the counter for $17 dollars. The only difference---a half dollar size of Blue Painters tape. $22 bucks for the tape? I don't think so. Just be informed when you buy.

Chuck

05/XJ8L

 

Actually the higher priced kit ALSO has a little dollop of "Preservative" as well as a bit of tape. In Advance Auto it was $30 vs. 22 and I also took the lower priced kit.

Worked a charm, and super results. From heavily pitted to clear as glass. Only issue I had was my Ni-Cad Batterry 18 Volt Drill ran down before I got all 4 lenses completed, and the passenger side needed to be gone back to. I only repeated the last 2 steps - the wet sand and the compound. I already had Meguiars Headlamp Preservative and it FURTHER clarified the lenses - which I would not have believed possible. I STRONGLY recommend the Meguiars if you go through all this polishing work to protect the lens at least from UV if not from the sandblasting effect of road debris. Another tip: Increase your following distance on the highway when possible and your front end won't GET sandblasted in the first place.

Note: Pics are from BEFORE applying preservative and it made the lens 50% clearer still. Take your time and don't rush the steps. Big Tip: If your Fog/Driving lamps are equally pitted (mine are) they should respond to the same treatment, but it will be tight quarters with the drill on those smaller lenses. I think with care I can do them, since removal looks to be a pain.