3M Headlight Restore FAIL!!!!

[RyanWXM]

Can someone pls tell me what i did wrong i followed all the instructions luckily i have an other kit so i can have another go but want to know what i did wrong first??

Wanna have attempt number 2 tomorrow??

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

Looks like you ran out of effort

 

[Jaff.]

You haven't done it properly
Not used the paper for long enough then not used the pase for long enough

 

[Knuckles]

It looks like you either used too abrasive a sand paper, didn't use it wet or didn't sand it enough prior to polishing

 

[jesus]

Was your drill battery running out? Did you even use a drill?

 

[Yosemite Sam]

I don't know what's int he kit but as I used to do these by the boat load, I've a pretty good idea where you went wrong...

You either went too hard on the first stage, or didn't spend enough time on the refining stage. You need to take your time with this as the plastic gets very hot and scratches easily. I found that using plenty of water helps loads.

A couple of my efforts to show anything is possible!

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

Looks like it needs to be worked a LOT more with a high grade paper, and then polished

 

[RyanWXM]

i used a drill and spent about 2 hours doing both lights, i does say usedlight to medium force is that right?

 

[RyanWXM]

Looks like it needs to be worked a LOT more with a high grade paper, and then polished

i have another kit so ill start it from "scratch" tomorrow

 

[RyanWXM]

So what are we saying just go at it will all i've got ?? Bit of a wuss don't wanna make them worse :/

 

[RyanWXM]

I don't know what's int he kit but as I used to do these by the boat load, I've a pretty good idea where you went wrong...

You either went too hard on the first stage, or didn't spend enough time on the refining stage. You need to take your time with this as the plastic gets very hot and scratches easily. I found that using plenty of water helps loads.

A couple of my efforts to show anything is possible!

How long did u spend on it?

 

[Yosemite Sam]

How long did u spend on it?

About 15 minutes per light but I've done so many sets it's unfair to compare yours and my times.

 

[RyanWXM]

About 15 minutes per light but I've done so many sets it's unfair to compare yours and my times.

Fancy doing mine LOL

 

[..Jack..]

To this

About 20 mins with the 3M kit per light

 

[Knuckles]

Fancy doing mine LOL

If you really get stuck, come up to mine and I'll do them.

Itll have to be when I'm home after Christmas though.

 

[RyanWXM]

If you really get stuck, come up to mine and I'll do them.

Itll have to be when I'm home after Christmas though.

Its so stupid that i can't even sand some plastic lol , thanks for the offer mate but i should be ok i think *ROUND 2* tomorrow

 

[RyanWXM]

View attachment 118758
To this
View attachment 118759
About 20 mins with the 3M kit per light

You did an awesome job, how many of each grade did you use?

 

[..Jack..]

You did an awesome job, how many of each grade did you use?

I'd used the kit designed for two cars on just my car. I used a Corded drill but kept lots of water and was very careful then finished off with some Uv Sealant to stop it all happening again

 

[Knuckles]

If it helps I use 1200, 1500, 2000 then polish with G3 scratch remover.

You can go up further through the grades if you like.

 

[RyanWXM]

the kit has 500 800 and 3000 :/

 

[RyanWXM]

Never

If it helps I use 1200, 1500, 2000 then polish with G3 scratch remover.

You can go up further through the grades if you like.

Never thought of G3 have some might try it before having another go tbh

 

[Knuckles]

the kit has 500 800 and 3000 :/

Jesus.

500 and 800 are ridiculously over kill and 800-3000 is far to big of a jump.

G3 Scratch remover is my go to sanding mark remover though.

 

[RyanWXM]

Jesus.

500 and 800 are ridiculously over kill and 800-3000 is far to big of a jump.

G3 Scratch remover is my go to sanding mark remover though.

So if i give G3 a good use i might maybe get away without having to re-do??

 

[Knuckles]

So if i give G3 a good use i might maybe get away without having to re-do??

No, you'll still have to re sand to get rid of those marks.

Once the whole light is flatted back with no visible scratches, then you can polish.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

500??! Unless you're sanding down brake calipers, leave that in the garden shed. Jesus!

 

[jimmyson]

give it a good rub down with 2000 and then the g3 should bring it up
mines wern't that bad i just put g3 on the machine polisher and worked it that way

 

[RyanWXM]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/1113...3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108
Thought everyone used this ??

 

[Jekyll]

500?! That's way too harsh! 800 is too far really. Might be worth going down halfords and getting some wet & dry (1200, 1500, 2000) and going through the grades. There only cheap and you get a few sheets in each pack. In fact, I'm pretty sure you can get a various grade pack in there, but I'd defo start from 1200.

I did mine by hand, so I can't comment on the 3M kit.

 

[..Jack..]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/1113...3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108
Thought everyone used this ??

I did once, stopped using it after the Clio

 

[CrippsCorner]

I don't rate the 3M kit, though I know everyone else does. Much prefer doing it all by hand... takes a bit longer obviously but worth it.

Only thing is however shiny and fresh they end up looking, it's back to being dirty again about 12 months later still, some effort once a year ain't too bad in the scheme of things.

 

[N4TH4N]

View attachment 118758
To this
View attachment 118759
About 20 mins with the 3M kit per light

Do mine jack! I pay u well

 

[..Jack..]

Do mine jack! I pay u well

If you want, no need for payment, I'll give you a shout in the Spring when I'll have more time to help you out if that's okay?

 

[N4TH4N]

Sound jack. Thanks a lot.

 

[cat171]

I don't rate the 3M kit, though I know everyone else does. Much prefer doing it all by hand... takes a bit longer obviously but worth it.

Only thing is however shiny and fresh they end up looking, it's back to being dirty again about 12 months later 😧 still, some effort once a year ain't too bad in the scheme of things.

Same here, I did my old mans ones (which looked like the car Daniel showed) they came up like new, it did take me a bit over an hour from start to finish, that was a while back & they still look new.

 

[alistairolsen]

I did 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 and then 3m fastcut, polish and wax on mine, probably spent a couple of hours on them and they were perfect. looks like you've used too coarse a grade (800) and then jumped to something too fine (3000) to remove the scratches left behind and then simply not polished them for long enough to remove the small scratches from the 3000

 

[Damon65]

try sanding in one direction then change direction when you change grade helps to see the difference

 

[banther]

Or cheaper here;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/1505...3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108

 

[cat171]

try sanding in one direction then change direction when you change grade helps to see the difference

Sack that, he'll be there forever. Lots of soapy water & go at them randomly :up: then go through the grades.

 

[Chi]

Or cheaper here;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/1505...3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108

Yeah loads cheaper

 

[banther]

Im a sausage fingered oaf who never does anything remotely handy and even I got mine looking good. Just take it slow and steady and half a bottle of water nearby to pour on periodically. Job dun.