Has anyone successfully restored/polished their Prius v headlight lenses? If so, how did you do it and what did you use? Normally a fairly easy job but on smooth flat lenses. The v lenses have some crazy contours in them which poses all kinds of challenges. Thanks
I had walmart do it once and it lasted maybe one year. The headlights then yellowed completely again. I used a Sylvania kit a couple of years later and it did an excellent job which after two years is starting to yellow again on the top. The Sylvania kit is a decent amount of work all by hand followed by a uv coating. If I were really motivated I might replace both assemblies next time. That requires a partial or total removal of the bumper cover.
I used a Rain-X kit on my wife's 2007 several years ago. It was OK. At my part time job we wet sand and then polish. Start with 1,000, go to 1,500, 2,000, 2,500, and then 3,000 grit wet sanding. I use gentle pressure and keep the pressure off the surrounding painted areas. Then apply polish and buff it with a polishing wheel. They come out looking new -- even one lens that looked like someone tried to polish it with a paving stone.
Well I had good luck using the 3M kit with the electric drill attachment with sandpaper etc on other vehicles. But the Prius v headlights have some pretty crazy contours that make this method nearly impossible to to. So was just in search of good alternatives.
I haven't done a v yet, just 2nd & 3rd gen. The v doesn't look any more contoured than the 3rd gen as I recall. It is tedious getting into the odd nooks & crannies. I use lots of smaller circles rather than fewer big ones in the sanding motions. I also sometimes pause or switch hands so as not to cramp up.
And make sure the hood is closed if u use the snake oil......that stuff gets on the engine parts and is very hard to remove..... I used sand paper the last couple of times.
