So I bought a 3M kit and restored my third brake light on my 04 Anniversary Edition GT and WOW, I'm so glad I didn't drop $260 on the Ford replacement the other day. I was also looking at some cheap replacements, and I did buy one but it came with the corner broken off so I'm returning it for a refund.
I went down to WalMart and bought the 3M headlight restoration kit for $19 and after about an hour, this light looks good as new! I know there are a few other posts from a few years ago but I thought I'd remind everyone that we don't have to buy new lights when they start to fall victim to the famous Ford sun fade.
The initial sanding was with the 500 grit paper on the 18V Dewalt drill, actually had to take off quite a bit of material to get it all even. This was the result.
Next was the 800 grit, which was actually very quick, since I had used 5-6, 500 grit discs on the base coat, the next few sandings went through in about 2-3 passes. Here was after the 800 grit sanding;
Then 3M's famous 3000 grit foam, wet sanding system, took only about 3 passes with this;
After buffing with 3M's compound and foam pad, it's starting to come out out pretty nice! This was after 5-6 passes.
This is the final product, mind you after 3-4 more passes with the 3M buffing pad and compound, I used a Turtle Wax finishing product, which came in the Turtle Wax headlight restoration kit (which I opted not to used because it is not as thorough as 3M). This product take 24 hours to cure, giving a clearcoat type finish on the lens. We'll see how long it keeps it in this condition!
I went down to WalMart and bought the 3M headlight restoration kit for $19 and after about an hour, this light looks good as new! I know there are a few other posts from a few years ago but I thought I'd remind everyone that we don't have to buy new lights when they start to fall victim to the famous Ford sun fade.
The initial sanding was with the 500 grit paper on the 18V Dewalt drill, actually had to take off quite a bit of material to get it all even. This was the result.
Next was the 800 grit, which was actually very quick, since I had used 5-6, 500 grit discs on the base coat, the next few sandings went through in about 2-3 passes. Here was after the 800 grit sanding;
Then 3M's famous 3000 grit foam, wet sanding system, took only about 3 passes with this;
After buffing with 3M's compound and foam pad, it's starting to come out out pretty nice! This was after 5-6 passes.
This is the final product, mind you after 3-4 more passes with the 3M buffing pad and compound, I used a Turtle Wax finishing product, which came in the Turtle Wax headlight restoration kit (which I opted not to used because it is not as thorough as 3M). This product take 24 hours to cure, giving a clearcoat type finish on the lens. We'll see how long it keeps it in this condition!