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p_gill



Member Since: 06 Dec 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1236

United States 2008 Freelander 2 i6 SE Auto Tambora Flame
Headlight Restoration

FREEL2,

The time had come to do something about my headlights.

1. Protect the Paint with some tape

2. Sand away the pits, scratches and marks

3. Apply the protective film

4. Review the finished result



















Post #432745 24th May 2023 9:15 pm
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Lightwater



Member Since: 21 Aug 2014
Location: Sydney Northern Beaches
Posts: 4906

Ukraine 2013 Freelander 2 2.0T SE Auto Fuji White

Very nice. Plenty of cars do likewise! Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

Post #432786 27th May 2023 8:52 am
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Lightwater



Member Since: 21 Aug 2014
Location: Sydney Northern Beaches
Posts: 4906

Ukraine 2013 Freelander 2 2.0T SE Auto Fuji White

Just read up on the internet, was surprised at the jump in sand paper grit with the product.

One should really go up in each step. 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 5000 & if you have 7000 (pretty expensive). Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

Post #432788 27th May 2023 9:27 am
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p_gill



Member Since: 06 Dec 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1236

United States 2008 Freelander 2 i6 SE Auto Tambora Flame

The Kit I bought came with

KIT INCLUDES:
1 - Disc Pad Holder, 3.25 in (8,2 cm)
6 - 3M Gold Sanding Discs 500 Grit, 3 in (7,6 cm) each
4 - 3M White Finishing Discs 800 Grit, 3 in (7,6 cm) each
1 - 3M Trizact Refining Disc 3000 Grit, 3 in (7,6 cm)
2 - 3M Quick Headlight Clear Coat


I did also block sand it with
300 Grit and
600 Grit

The Microfiber Towel that I used for polishing and drying is a reasonable substitute for the 7000 Grit

I am happy with the results but I feel that I only rolled back the clock about 5 years not the full 15 years to when it was new.

Good Luck

Paul


PS I am not sure that our friends in the UK are interested in this because their headlights are likely exposed to a lot less UV radiation that mine and come to think of it your as well. 1 year in California Sunshine may be like 5 or even 10 years in the UK Sunshine. By comparison I still haven't replace the Microswitch for the Boot so the lack of rain isn't all bad.

Post #432806 28th May 2023 12:21 am
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BossBob



Member Since: 30 Sep 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 1385

England 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Manual Baltic Blue

There are plenty of cars in the UK with headlights that need this treatment. There must be something they are doing wrong as my FL2 headlights are fine. Never parked in a garage (I wouldn't be able to open the doors!), not washed for weeks but when it was washed done by me by hand using quality car wash. No TFR!

Post #432809 28th May 2023 6:31 am
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p_gill



Member Since: 06 Dec 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1236

United States 2008 Freelander 2 i6 SE Auto Tambora Flame

Update its been about 7 months and the headlights are not looking their best.







So I did it again







This time I used Maguire's Keep Clear Headlight Spray

I hope it lasts over a year

Thanks

Paul



PS I don't know the best way to say this in British English but where I come from we would say. "I'm not sure that the juice was worth the squeeze" (let me know how you would say the equivalent)

Post #437962 24th Dec 2023 10:41 pm
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SYFL2



Member Since: 16 Jun 2012
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 2594

2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Stornoway Grey

I’ve heard it’s best to put some Aubrey protection on after doing them.

Post #437964 25th Dec 2023 6:39 am
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I Like Chips



Member Since: 25 Jun 2017
Location: Ascott Under Wychwood
Posts: 1540

United Kingdom 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Auto Indus Silver

Used to work with an Aubrey. he appeared to be very old to a fifteen year old. He retired six months after I started

I wonder how old I now look to young 'uns

Post #437965 25th Dec 2023 7:42 am
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SYFL2



Member Since: 16 Jun 2012
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 2594

2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Stornoway Grey

Stoopid auto correct should have been UV.

Post #437966 25th Dec 2023 9:58 am
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p_gill



Member Since: 06 Dec 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1236

United States 2008 Freelander 2 i6 SE Auto Tambora Flame

Thanks for the feedback

The first time I use 3M wipes that claim to provide UV protection

I can't say for certain that the degradation was only due to UV but 6 months isn't long enough.


This time I used a spray on product that also claims to provide UV protection.





I will post here if it last longer than 6 months.



Take care

Paul


PS you do know that you can edit your old post to correct the typo's

Post #437972 25th Dec 2023 8:40 pm
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gasman



Member Since: 02 May 2013
Location: Tyneside
Posts: 893

United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4_e GS Manual Zermatt Silver

Did something similar to a MK2 Renault Clio.
Wet and dry sanded the lens, off the car. Then just sprayed it with lacquer. Lasted years. Now at the point when I learn something new something old is lost out the other side !
Now retired so it doesn't matter anymore.
Freelander now gone.

Post #437973 26th Dec 2023 1:38 pm
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