Pitted Headlight lenses - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Rob99 · 10-10-2022, 10:27 PM

Anyone do a repair to remove the pitting ( not yellowing) on the lenses, I’ve heard about a sanding process but that concerns me it may cause additional damage to the lenses, any tips or suggestions?
TIA.

km9v · 10-11-2022, 02:22 PM

Can you post some pics?

1JEWLDSSRS · 10-11-2022, 02:26 PM

Here is a little info on it.

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showt...oto=nextoldest

Camaro2ss2010 · 10-11-2022, 07:36 PM

Most reputable detail shops should be able to take care of them.

Rob99 · 10-19-2022, 06:13 PM

Hey guys thanks for the reply's and link and here are a couple pics, you can only see it when headlights are illuminating the lens from behind.
At first i thought it was water spots so cleaned them up but still there.

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chevy pilot · 10-20-2022, 09:18 AM

I have the same,i've let them be.

1JEWLDSSRS · 10-20-2022, 07:21 PM

Me too, mine are like that.

Rob99 · 10-21-2022, 12:37 AM

I've used the 3M headlight resto kit i got the pass side done and will do the drivers side next.
A quick review it was super easy and the results are great I'll post pics when I'm finished.
Now that the lens is clear I've also noticed a separate issue on the pass side, some metallic speckling on the inside of the housing maybe off the halos??? IDK

Rob99 · 10-26-2022, 02:30 PM

So after a couple days of rain I was finally able to finish up, i did add a step of 1500 & 2000 grit (I had in my arsenal)before the included 3000, I wish they included two of the 3000 grit Trizact discs it’s hard to tell when it’s used up and would have been nice to dedicate I disc to each HL.
Also I didn’t use the first step of the 500 grit after testing a small spot I thought that would be better for lenses that were hazy yellow and thought the sand marks were a little to aggressive so I started with 800.
Using the included rubbing compound I did follow up with a couple passes of polishing compound just for good measure, lol

Overall a big improvement,those whitish pit marks are gone, I’m happy and it was a approximate $25 fix.

SS_Dave · 10-26-2022, 09:09 PM

I'm planning to do this pretty soon...

https://youtu.be/Xubwpeuqm-E

Rob99 · 10-26-2022, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS_Dave

I'm planning to do this pretty soon...

https://youtu.be/Xubwpeuqm-E

Those came out great, are yours that heavily oxidized? You may not have to use the more aggressive grits starting off if not.
Mine were not and now the beam is not distorted and is much clearer/ brighter, it’s a little disturbing when it’s all sanded and hazy looking like I just ruined my lights but then as you go thru the steps it’s like magic lol.
good luck with it just take your time.

SS_Dave · 10-29-2022, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob99

Those came out great, are yours that heavily oxidized? You may not have to use the more aggressive grits starting off if not.
Mine were not and now the beam is not distorted and is much clearer/ brighter, it’s a little disturbing when it’s all sanded and hazy looking like I just ruined my lights but then as you go thru the steps it’s like magic lol.
good luck with it just take your time.

Nah. I'm more like yours shown above. During the day from 10+ feet away you can't tell. Main reason I'm about to mess with it is because i have the front end apart doing new bumper cover and other stuff.

davesnever · 11-08-2022, 10:04 AM

I did mine the last time I had the bumper cover off however I did not use any spray coating. The Camaro's headlights are recessed and fading or yellowing has never been an issue, just the pitting.I performed all the sanding steps then a wet sand and then polished with a round ball foam pad attached to drill that was meant for rim polishing. It worked very well, just the right size for the headlights. I think the spray coating would be ok for different vehicles but we don't need it besides I think orange peel is unavoidable and you'll be sanding it off again to fix it.Maybe a clear vinyl would be better to protect from pitting as a last step would be better.

SS_Dave · 11-22-2022, 09:44 AM

Sanding followed by SprayMax 2K headlight clear followed by polishing with Meguiars compound.

10-10-2022, 10:27 PM	#1
Rob99 I’m Magik a physco dog Drives: '15 1LT/RS & '23 3LT/RS Join Date: May 2016 Location: N.J. Posts: 251	Pitted Headlight lenses Anyone do a repair to remove the pitting ( not yellowing) on the lenses, I’ve heard about a sanding process but that concerns me it may cause additional damage to the lenses, any tips or suggestions? TIA. __________________ 2023 3LT RS Shadow Gray 2015 1LT R/S Blue Velvet Coupe. Previous: 2015 1LT Ashen Grey 2016 1LT Blue Velvet My entire life has been 'A Midlife Crisis'

10-11-2022, 02:26 PM	#3
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 11,485	Here is a little info on it. https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showt...oto=nextoldest __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

10-11-2022, 07:36 PM	#4
Camaro2ss2010 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SSRS M6 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,249	Most reputable detail shops should be able to take care of them. __________________ ECS supercharger, custom ground cam, ported throttle body, long tube headers, aeromotive fuel pump, fic injectors, ATI super damper, Corsa Extreme exhaust, elite engineering catch can and many other things.

10-19-2022, 06:13 PM	#5
Rob99 I’m Magik a physco dog Drives: '15 1LT/RS & '23 3LT/RS Join Date: May 2016 Location: N.J. Posts: 251	Hey guys thanks for the reply's and link and here are a couple pics, you can only see it when headlights are illuminating the lens from behind. At first i thought it was water spots so cleaned them up but still there. __________________ 2023 3LT RS Shadow Gray 2015 1LT R/S Blue Velvet Coupe. Previous: 2015 1LT Ashen Grey 2016 1LT Blue Velvet My entire life has been 'A Midlife Crisis'

10-20-2022, 07:21 PM	#7
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 11,485	Me too, mine are like that. __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

10-11-2022, 02:22 PM	#2
km9v Drives: 2011 Camaro SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 420	Can you post some pics?

10-20-2022, 09:18 AM	#6
chevy pilot Drives: 2010 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Hki.Finland Posts: 975	I have the same,i've let them be.

10-21-2022, 12:37 AM	#8
Rob99 I’m Magik a physco dog Drives: '15 1LT/RS & '23 3LT/RS Join Date: May 2016 Location: N.J. Posts: 251	I've used the 3M headlight resto kit i got the pass side done and will do the drivers side next. A quick review it was super easy and the results are great I'll post pics when I'm finished. Now that the lens is clear I've also noticed a separate issue on the pass side, some metallic speckling on the inside of the housing maybe off the halos??? IDK __________________ 2023 3LT RS Shadow Gray 2015 1LT R/S Blue Velvet Coupe. Previous: 2015 1LT Ashen Grey 2016 1LT Blue Velvet My entire life has been 'A Midlife Crisis'

10-26-2022, 02:30 PM	#9
Rob99 I’m Magik a physco dog Drives: '15 1LT/RS & '23 3LT/RS Join Date: May 2016 Location: N.J. Posts: 251	So after a couple days of rain I was finally able to finish up, i did add a step of 1500 & 2000 grit (I had in my arsenal)before the included 3000, I wish they included two of the 3000 grit Trizact discs it’s hard to tell when it’s used up and would have been nice to dedicate I disc to each HL. Also I didn’t use the first step of the 500 grit after testing a small spot I thought that would be better for lenses that were hazy yellow and thought the sand marks were a little to aggressive so I started with 800. Using the included rubbing compound I did follow up with a couple passes of polishing compound just for good measure, lol Overall a big improvement,those whitish pit marks are gone, I’m happy and it was a approximate $25 fix. Attached Images __________________ 2023 3LT RS Shadow Gray 2015 1LT R/S Blue Velvet Coupe. Previous: 2015 1LT Ashen Grey 2016 1LT Blue Velvet My entire life has been 'A Midlife Crisis'

10-26-2022, 09:09 PM	#10
SS_Dave Drives: Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 270	I'm planning to do this pretty soon... https://youtu.be/Xubwpeuqm-E

11-08-2022, 10:04 AM	#13
davesnever Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Richmond Hill ,Ontario, Canada Posts: 780 View My Garage	I did mine the last time I had the bumper cover off however I did not use any spray coating. The Camaro's headlights are recessed and fading or yellowing has never been an issue, just the pitting.I performed all the sanding steps then a wet sand and then polished with a round ball foam pad attached to drill that was meant for rim polishing. It worked very well, just the right size for the headlights. I think the spray coating would be ok for different vehicles but we don't need it besides I think orange peel is unavoidable and you'll be sanding it off again to fix it.Maybe a clear vinyl would be better to protect from pitting as a last step would be better.

11-22-2022, 09:44 AM	#14
SS_Dave Drives: Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 270	Sanding followed by SprayMax 2K headlight clear followed by polishing with Meguiars compound.