S14 Zenki (95-96 240sx) Headlight Restoration

[cinci_s14]

The Finished Product! 4 weeks after...

http://www.geocities.com/cincy_s14/After_Closeup_Left_Small.jpg
View Larger Picture (http://www.geocities.com/cincy_s14/After_Closeup_Left.jpg)

http://www.geocities.com/cincy_s14/After_Closeup_Right_Small.jpg
View Larger Picture (http://www.geocities.com/cincy_s14/After_Closeup_Right.jpg)

If you're interested in this service, email me at [email protected]

Ok, I think I've discovered a great solution to the yellow/hazy headlights problem for 95-96 240's. Based on the advice from some other forum members, I decided to get the Novus 1 and 2 plastic cleaners. I then used a buffing wheel on a power drill to get them crystal clear. The problem is that after just a couple weeks, they already start looking hazy again. The real secret is to use X-pel clear headlight protection film (made by 3M) on the lights immediately after you're done buffing. Why? My theory is that the film prevents the headlight surface from oxidizing, which causes that yellow/hazy appearance. Probably, they came from the factory with a protective coating on them, but after years of being "sand-blasted" by wind on the highway, that coating wore off leaving them susceptible to oxidation.

This X-pel stuff is a little tricky to apply, but I am a certified X-pel installer (took a 3-day training class at their headquarters in Texas a couple years ago). So, I've decided to offer my services to the forum. For $75 (plus shipping cost), I'll do the exact same process to your headlights (both of them for $75). This is much cheaper than buying the German glass headlights ($560+) or the Final Konnexion clear lenses ($350+) (which don't work well unless you also buy projector beams). And, I can also do the corner lamps and turn signals for an additional $45.

To do this yourself, you'll have to buy Novus 1 and 2 ($20 shipped), buffing wheel ($5), and X-pel film ($50 shipped). So, I'm doing it for roughly the same cost to you. And, there's no guarantee that you'll get it right the first time.

For those that road race your 240's, another advantage of this X-pel film is that you won't have to put duct tape over your headlights anymore!

If there's enough interest, I will also consider stocking finished headlights, so I can ship them out and you can ship me yours in return. That way, people that use their cars as daily drivers don't have to go without headlights for a week. I would probably have to do a "core charge" of about $200 (approx. cost of headlights from a salvage yard), which would be returned after I receive your original headlights.

If you're interested in this service, email me at [email protected]

Here are some before shots. Sorry the lighting is obviously different (kind of like those wrinke cream commercials, right?), but when I took these pictures I didn't know it would be for this purpose.

BEFORE...
http://www.geocities.com/cincy_s14/Before_Closeup_Left_Small.jpg

BEFORE...
http://www.geocities.com/cincy_s14/Before_Closeup_Right_Small.jpg

[ghostuss]

Is x-pel file the one that seems like a thin layer of plastic film? I saw it on another zenki the other day, but it was blue. You should offer color choices. Just my suggestion... Yea I do that buffing myself too, with a rag and my hands. It gets the job done but it is a bitch.

[MrSkinny]

www.lamin-x.com has this type of product for 30usd. comes in an array of colours as well. just trim/cut to fit whatever lights u need to cover and voila. no course needed to apply a sticker.

[Joe_M]

Bump for a good guy....

I've seen them in person... VERY nice work.

Joe

[Rick-95ZE]

Very nice :bow:

[cinci_s14]

Bump for a good guy....

I've seen them in person... VERY nice work.

Joe

Thanks for the bump, Joe. Also, thanks for the suggestion about Lamin-x, MrSKINNY; I didn't know anyone was selling colored films. Unfortunately, they don't have pre-cut headlight kits for the 240 either, but I will do some research on their film. I know the X-pel film is made by 3M, and I've had it on my Honda Pilot for over 2 years now, and it looks like brand new.

No takers yet? I really want someone to get this done so you can see how well it works. So how about if the first 3 people to do it are half price... $37 for brand-new-looking headlights has got to be hard to beat.

[SoCalSilvia]

damn... I'd be all over this but my S14 is my daily :(

[MrSkinny]

yah id be all over your deal for 37 bucks. problem is i cant be without the car cuz its my daily. if theres some sorta way to get precut ones it'd be ideal.

[f s t caz]

surely someone else has to be interested in clear headlights.

[f s t caz]

recieved my headlights already. Definitely recommend this to anyone else.

http://members.cox.net/l33tn0b0dy/headlights1.jpg
http://members.cox.net/l33tn0b0dy/headlights2.jpg
http://members.cox.net/l33tn0b0dy/headlights3.jpg
http://members.cox.net/l33tn0b0dy/headlights4.jpg
the spots seen on the right one he said should disappear completely within 2-3 weeks.

[AzNCmB]

dam this looks hella nice... i have a spare pair of headlights that i might put on my car and take the ones i have now, off and ship them to you. 37 bucks for a pair, right?

[chmercer]

hey can i get in on the 37 dollar special? and how fast is the turnaround? sent you an email.

[cinci_s14]

dam this looks hella nice... i have a spare pair of headlights that i might put on my car and take the ones i have now, off and ship them to you. 37 bucks for a pair, right?

Well I've already got three people, but I'll still do it for $37 plus shipping for another few weeks (til the end of the year). From Louisiana, it'll be about $10 shipping, so just paypal me $47 to [email protected] (wife's account).

Ship them to:
1608 Brookridge Circle
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

I try to turn them around in one day when I receive them. Thanks!!! Spread the word... all Zenki S14's should get this done!

[cinci_s14]

recieved my headlights already. Definitely recommend this to anyone else.

the spots seen on the right one he said should disappear completely within 2-3 weeks.


Yeah, those spots are common... it's just some left over alcohol solution from the application process. It will diffuse through the film and evaporate. They always disappear within a few weeks, sometimes sooner. I think they go away sooner when they're warmer, so if you just always put your headlights on when you drive, that should speed it up.

[cinci_s14]

hey can i get in on the 37 dollar special? and how fast is the turnaround? sent you an email.

I replied to your email... yes, I'm still doing the $37 special.

[ss045]

I'm guessing shipping from WV will be around 5-10 dollars since I'm pretty close to Cinci. Can you confirm this? I'll keep this in mind later on this month.

[cinci_s14]

I'm guessing shipping from WV will be around 5-10 dollars since I'm pretty close to Cinci. Can you confirm this? I'll keep this in mind later on this month.


Yeah, I guess around $8 to WV. Thanks.

[kanadazx]

BTW guys...I polish my lights with rubbing compound every couple of months and they come out just as clear. Try turtle wax rubbing compound first.

[cinci_s14]

BTW guys...I polish my lights with rubbing compound every couple of months and they come out just as clear. Try turtle wax rubbing compound first.


True, but the difference is... they stay clear with the film on them. The film prevents the plastic lenses from oxidizing. I used to do the same thing, but got frustrated because they kept on looking foggy again after just a couple weeks. If you don't mind polishing them all the time, then go ahead.

[Culligan!]

OH hell yea i am doing it! this is going to look great my lights are so bad looking right now.

[Dream240]

Great work, but since i'm in cali and I need my headlights I'm gonna try the rubbing compound and buy some of the lamin-x film and do it myself. I noticed the smoked film too, gonna try that for my tail lights and see how it looks.

Thanks for the post, wish you were in cali.....

[S14Crossovr]

Dream240, did you get it done? how did it turn out?

[Dream240]

Dream240, did you get it done? how did it turn out?

I DID use the Rubbing compound on ALL my front light assemblies. And it did clean them up quite a bit. I think an electric buffer would work alot better for the buffing portion. This was actually the last thing I did to my car. It's currently in hibernation until I get back to work and recover from my upcoming surgery. I haven't gotten the lamin-x sheets yet but I'm really leaning towards the blue one for the front and the smoke ones for the back. I'll post pics once I get it done.

[DocTaDrifT]

i used rubbing compound, 2000 grit and some plastic cleaner worked very well but i wish i didnt use the sandpaper i think it would of come out better without it

[cmj240t]

i used rubbing compound, 2000 grit and some plastic cleaner worked very well but i wish i didnt use the sandpaper i think it would of come out better without it
buff them out with a wheel( get one for the tip of your drill)and use a plastic cleaner, it will come perfectly clear. but they do fogg up real quick... the lamex seems like a great idea...

[SilviaSR20DET]

where can you buy the lamin x film?

[mellojoe]

A quick BUMP here:

Zenki's look SOOOOO hot with clear lenses. The main reason why they look dreary is because of the yellow'd lenses. When I see a Zenki with those clear ones, you can see why the original engineers designed the car that way. The lines flow so clear.

[zero.counter]

A quick BUMP here:

Zenki's look SOOOOO hot with clear lenses. The main reason why they look dreary is because of the yellow'd lenses. When I see a Zenki with those clear ones, you can see why the original engineers designed the car that way. The lines flow so clear.
If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to those clear replacement lenses, check out this how-to for a similar type housing. http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=22858

Be sure to note the light pattern problems after doing so.

[s13srmadness]

i emailed you a few weeks ago and you never responded.
i want my headlights and corner lamps done.
ill try emailing you again, but if you see this please email me.
[email protected]

[cinci_s14]

Reply sent weeks ago. Haven't heard from you since.


i emailed you a few weeks ago and you never responded.
i want my headlights and corner lamps done.
ill try emailing you again, but if you see this please email me.
[email protected]

[cinci_s14]

where can you buy the lamin x film?

Looks like you can buy the lamin-x film at www.lamin-x.com.

However, I use X-Pel film (www.xpel.com), made by 3M. I can vouch for the quality of the 3M film (had it on my other vehicle for 2.5 years now, and still looks brand new crystal clear). Don't know anything about the lamin-x stuff though.

[Rev_S14]

Check your e-mail

[evilimport]

cinci_s14: So you are still doing the headlight cleaning for people then??

[240z4u]

Please EMAIL me if you are still doing headlights, I would like to get mine done.

Evan

[cinci_s14]

cinci_s14: So you are still doing the headlight cleaning for people then??

Yeah man. Just email me at [email protected] if you're interested. I've had nothing but great feedback from customers so far.

[publicenemy137]

I am very interested, e-mailed...

[evilimport]

Yeah man. Just email me at [email protected] if you're interested. I've had nothing but great feedback from customers so far.
coolcool, I'll be in touch soonish......

[blazn240sx]

wondring if you sitll have that deal for 37 bucks to clean up my headlights and also how much would it be to clean up my corners and if so how much to do both of them toghether with shipping to san francisco and also do you have the clean one in stock already if so let me know

[cinci_s14]

Sorry, no $37 special anymore. Email me for current pricing... [email protected] Shipping is about $15 for west coast (to Cincinnati), depending on the size box you send them in.

[s13srmadness]

i just got mine back recently. that little picture in his sig does his work no justice. the look great.
he was always fast to respond. shipped them back the same day he got them. great.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid159/pf8e750939858e9713ddf7ce9afa87796/f508db42.jpg

night and day...

[cinci_s14]

Yeah, I need to make a better signature. Need better art skills I guess.