
3M 39008 Headlight Lens Restoration System

3M™ Lens & Hard Plastic Cleaner PN 39017
If your headlights begin to appear hazy but the damage is not very severe, use 3M™ Lens & Hard Plastic Cleaner PN 39017. Using this product every three months will help to maintain the clarity of plastic lenses over time and remove light hazing and yellowing. Available in select retailers and at Shop3M.com

3M™ Plastic Polish & Protectant PN 39010
To protect your plastic lenses from dirt, acid rain, and other elements, use 3M™ Plastic Polish & Protectant PN 39010. While no product can stop UV damage from re-occurring, 3M™ Plastic Polish & Protectant will keep your lenses looking cleaner longer. Available in select retailers and at Shop3M.com.

Find all of these 3M headlight solutions in select retailers and at Shop3M.com

3M™ Headlight Lens Restoration System PN 02516
For multiple applications, check out the professional 3M™ Headlight Lens Restoration System (PN 02516).
3M™ Scratch Removal System PN 39071
Nobody likes those unsightly scratches that appear when tree branches, boxes, fingernails, or sports equipment touch their car. Now those light scratches can be removed using the 3M™ Scratch Removal System PN 39071. This kit uses the same technology as the 3M headlight solution kits, making it easy to use and very effective: Light scratches will disappear! Available in select retailers and at Shop3M.com.

3M™ Do-It-Yourself Fuel System Tune-Up Kit PN 08963
Want to save money on gas? The 3M™ Do-It-Yourself Fuel System Tune Up Kit PN 08963 is a three-part kit designed to help restore power and save on gas mileage. It’s as easy to perform as an oil change, requiring only a few simple hand tools. Detailed instruction DVD included with kit. Available in select retailers and at Shop3M.com.

Bondo® Complete Body Repair Kit PN 316
The Bondo® Complete Body Repair Kit PN 316 is designed for repairing minor dents, holes, and scratches. Everything you need for a body repair is included: Body filler, cream hardener, metal body patch, primer, and more. Available in select retailers and at Shop3M.com.

SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING! .Vapor harmful. May cause eye, skin, nose, and throat irritation and cause dizziness, headache, or nausea. Intentional misuse by deliberately concentrating and inhaling the contents may be harmful or fatal. Airborne crystalline silica generated from spurring (or cleaning) dry pads may cause silicosis. Contains a chemical(s) which can cause cancer. Contains a chemical(s) which can cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.
PRECAUTIONS: Keep away from heat and flame. Avoid eye and skin contact. Avoid breathing dust or vapors. Use only with adequate ventilation. Do not swallow. Wash thoroughly after handling. Contains crystalline silica; spurring of the dry buff pad may produce dust conditions in excess of allowable concentrations of crystalline silica. Wear an appropriate respirator (NIOSH approved) when spurring pads.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
FIRST AID INFORMATION:
- Eye Contact: Flush eyes with large amounts of water. If signs/symptoms persist, get medical attention.
- Skin Contact: Flush skin with large amounts of water. If signs/symptoms develop, get medical attention.
- Inhalation: Remove the person to fresh air. If signs/symptoms develop, get medical attention.
- If Swallowed: Do not induce vomiting. Get medical attention.
PAD SAFETY INFORMATION
Please read, understand, and follow all safety information contained in these instructions prior to use. Retain these instructions for future reference. Intended Use: This pad is intended for use on the top layer of paints, varnishes, and marine gel coats, as well as similar top layers of overcoat systems. Use in any other application has not been evaluated by 3M and may lead to an unsafe condition.
WARNING
To reduce the risks associated with fire, exposure to chemicals, and inhalation of contaminants:
- always adhere strictly to the chemical manufacturer’s health and safety information found on the product label and in their MSDS, and carefully follow all directions for use.
To reduce the risks associated with power tool use:
- Read, understand, and follow the safety information contained in the power tool manufacturer’s user guide.
To reduce the risks associated with exposure to chemicals and inhalation of contaminants:
- always wear appropriate personal protective equipment, i.e., safety glasses, gloves, and a government-approved respirator.
To reduce the risks associated with inhalation of contaminants and their impact:
- Do not clean the pad with a buffing spur or screwdriver – conditioning brush recommended.
To reduce the risks associated with inhalation of contaminants:
- Ensure that your work area is well ventilated.
CAUTION
To reduce the risks associated with environmental contamination:
- Consult the compound and polish MSDS and local regulations for disposal of used pads as chemical waste.
To reduce the risks associated with impact:
- Do not exceed 2500 rpm.
- Do not use pads with nicks, cuts, tears, or badly curled or cupped edges.
- prevent pad spin off by firmly tightening the pad onto to adaptor. Use a wrench to hold the adaptor while tightening the pad.
- prevent the backup pad from spinning off by tightening it onto the power tool.
- Ensure secure attachment of the pad to the backup pad.
NOTICE
To avoid damaging the pad:
- Do not clean pads with a buffing spur or screwdriver.
- Do not use soap or cleaning solvents.
- Do not machine wash or dry.
To avoid snagging or tearing the pad:
- Use care around trim or moldings.
- Do not exceed 2500 rpm.
PREPARING THE LENS AND THE DRILL
- Clean the lens with soap and water.

- Protect trim and painted surfaces around the headlight lens with 3M masking tape (tape not included in PN 39008). Two layers of masking tape are recommended for added protection. Damage will occur if these surfaces are not protected.

- Do not use tape on chipped, peeling, or poorly bonded paint. This would include any surfaces that have been repainted.
- With the power disconnected, mount the disc pad holder into the 1200-1600 rpm drill. Follow the drill manufacturer’s instructions to properly attach the disc pad holder securely to the drill.

- For taillight lenses, start at Step 10.
REMOVING YELLOWED LAYER AND DEFECTS
- Attach and center the P500 grit gold colored abrasive disc to the disc pad holder.
Important Sanding Tips:
- Hold the drill flat or at a very slight angle when sanding on the lens. This will help control the tool and allow for smooth and even sanding.
- Do not use excessive pressure down on the drill or headlight lens. Do not hold the drill in one place while sanding. This can cause the lens surface to heat up and smear, becoming difficult to remove.

- Control the drill by moving at a slow, steady, even speed at all times across the headlight lens. Do not move the drill at a fast, erratic speed on the headlight lens.

- If the abrasive disc becomes clogged or is no longer removing material, change to a new disc. Wiping the abrasive disc and lens frequently with a paper towel will reduce clogging and extend the life of the disc.

- Using medium to light pressure, begin sanding to remove the yellowing and surface defects from the lens. A slow and steady back-and-forth action will be most effective. When the disc is clogged or no longer sanding effectively, replace it with a new P500 grit gold colored disc.

- Wipe off the lens and inspect to ensure all the yellowing and defects have been completely removed. If yellowing, defects, or portions of the surface coating still exist, continue sanding with P500 grit gold colored discs until they are completely removed.
REDUCING SAND SCRATCHES
- Remove the P500 gold colored disc. Attach and center a P800 grit abrasive disc to the disc pad holder. These are the white sanding discs with purple printing on the back.

- Using medium to light pressure, begin sanding to reduce the sand scratches from a P500 to a P800 grit scratch. When the disc is clogged or no longer sanding effectively, replace it with a new P800 grit white colored disc.

- Make several passes over the entire lens to be sure the P500 grit scratches from the previous step are reduced to P800 grit scratches.
- Wipe the lens, notice the scratches are finer. If any coarse scratches are visible, continue sanding that area with the P800 grit white colored disc until the coarse scratches are reduced.
- Extra sanding on this step will make the next step easier and improve the final clarity of the headlight lens.
- Remove the P800 grit white colored disc. Attach and center a 3M™ P3000 Trizact™ Foam Disc to the disc holder pad. This is the thin, foam disc that looks green/gray in color.
- Using a spray bottle, apply enough water to dampen the gray P3000 foam disc and the lens surface before sanding. The foam abrasive disc can be used flat against the lens. Using medium to light pressure, begin sanding to reduce the P800 grit scratches to gray P3000 grit scratches. Add a mist of water to the surface if it becomes dry while sanding.

- On many lenses, a white residual or slurry will build up on the lens, indicating you are reducing the sand scratches. Continue with 4-6 passes over the lens after you start seeing the white residual or slurry on the lens surface. If the lens does not produce a white slurry, make 10-12 passes on the lens.
- Extra sanding on this step will make the next step easier and improve the final clarity of the headlight lens.
- Avoid sharp edges or alignment pins on the lens to extend the life of the discs, as this one disc will be used for any additional lenses.
- Wipe the lens, and you will notice the scratches are much finer and the lens appears somewhat clear. If any coarse scratches are visible, mist the area with water and continue sanding with the P3000 disc.
POLISHING THE LENS
- Remove the P3000 foam disc. Attach and center the orange foam compounding pad to the disc pad holder.

- Dispense a dime-sized amount of 3M™ Rubbing Compound to the orange foam compounding pad. Before turning the drill on, smear the polish with the orange foam pad around the lens. This will reduce spatter. Too much 3M™ Rubbing Compound will result in excessive splatter and added cleanup. Do not run the foam pad dry.

- Holding the pad flat on the lens, polish the lens until the cloudy haze is gone and the clarity is significantly improved. If additional clarity is needed or desired, add another dime-size amount of 3M™ Rubbing Compound and continue buffing.

- If sanding scratches are still visible on the lens, repeat steps 10-16.
- Remove the masking tape and wipe the lens using a clean 3M™ Microfiber Detail Cloth (PN 39016). Wash any residual spatter from the vehicle using car wash soap and a soft, clean cloth.

PROTECTING THE LENS (Lens Renewal Kit with Protectant, PN 39045, only)
- Dispense a dime-sized amount of 3M™ Performance Finish Synthetic Wax Protectant (PN 39037) to a clean microfiber cloth. Apply to the refinished headlight and wipe off immediately. This final step will provide protection from the elements. For prolonged protection, find 3M™ Performance Finish Synthetic Wax (PN 39030) on www.Shop3M.com.

Maintaining the Lens
- If lenses begin to appear hazy again but the damage is not very severe, use 3M™ Lens & Hard Plastic Cleaner PN 39017. Using this product every three months will help to maintain the clarity of plastic lenses over time and remove light hazing and yellowing.

Warranty, Limited Remedy, and Disclaimer
Many factors beyond 3M’s control and uniquely within the user’s knowledge and control can affect the use and performance of a 3M product in a particular application User is solely responsible for evaluating the 3M product and determining whether it is fit for a particular purpose and suitable for the user’s method of application. Unless an additional warranty is specifically stated on the applicable 3M product packaging or product literature, 3M warrants that each 3M product meets the applicable 3M product specification at the time 3M ships the product.
3M MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION ARISING OUT OF A COURSE OF DEALING, CUSTOM, OR USAGE OF TRADE. If the 3M product does not conform to this warranty, then the sole and exclusive remedy is, at 3M’s option, replacement of the 3M product or refund of the purchase price.
Limitation of Liability
Except where prohibited by law, 3M will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from the 3M product, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential, regardless of the legal theory asserted, including warranty, contract, negligence or strict liability.
3M™ Performance Finish Synthetic Wax Protectant will protect plastic lenses from elements such as dirt, weather, and certain road conditions. It will not prevent UV damage from occurring. For prolonged protection from the elements, find 3M™ Performance Finish Synthetic Wax (PN 39030) on www.Shop3M.com.
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3M 39008 Headlight Lens Restoration System-FAQs
Q1. What is the 3M 39008 Headlight Lens Restoration System?
The 3M 39008 kit is designed to remove yellowing, cloudiness, and light scratches from plastic headlight lenses, restoring clarity and brightness without damaging the surface.
Q2. How do I use the 3M headlight restoration kit?
Attach the included sanding discs to a drill (1200–1600 RPM), sand the lens to remove oxidation, polish with the pad, and apply the finishing compound to restore a clear finish.
Q3. How long does the restoration process take?
On average, restoring a pair of headlights takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on lens size and oxidation level.
Q4. Is headlight restoration permanent?
It’s best to let headlights air dry for at least 60 minutes before driving, especially if you’ve applied a protective coating.
Q5. Can I drive my car immediately after restoration?
It’s best to let headlights air dry for at least 60 minutes before driving, especially if you’ve applied a protective coating.
Q6. How many times can headlights be restored?
You can usually restore headlights 3–4 times over 8–10 years before the lenses thin out or require replacement.
Q7. How can I protect headlights after restoration?
Use a UV protectant, wax, or paint protection film (PPF) to prevent yellowing and extend the results.
Q8. What are common mistakes when restoring headlights?
Applying too much pressure while sanding, skipping fine-grit sanding, or not sealing the lens properly can leave scratches or reduce clarity.
Q9. Does headlight restoration improve brightness?
Yes, clearer lenses allow more light output, which improves visibility and driving safety at night.
















