Headlight restoration. Help please?

[M-H 182]

This has probably been covered hundreds of times, but has anyone encountered these island-like shapes forming when refurbing the headlights?

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[M-H 182]

 

[bozothenutter]

just keep sanding until they go.
they are either remains of the laquer or holes in the laquer....it all needs to go!

 

[M-H 182]

Thanks for the quick reply mate. I'm sort of mid-job right now lol. I'm going to clear coat them afterwards, any reason why I shouldn't?

 

[JamesBryan]

As said, just keep going.

 

[bozothenutter]

There is a brand called spraymax that do a primer for plastic.
It's what I used

 

[green]

There is a brand called spraymax that do a primer for plastic.
It's what I used

This may seem a stupid question but... Did you have to take the headlights off the car to coat them in spraymax?

Cheers

 

[bozothenutter]

No need, but makes everythibg easier.
Jest undo the two wheearch screws and the clips in the grille.
Then pull the sides of the bumper out until fully loose.
Then pull the bumper forwards over the bolts on the slampanel
It'l come forward just enough to give ckearance to get at the bolts holding the lights in.

 

[green]

Thanks for the info. Will get myself some spraymax and give it a go :up:

 

[bozothenutter]

so how'd you get on?

 

[M-H 182]

Not bad, could've been better mind. I'll get some pics up tomorrow.

 

[M-H 182]

This is it immediately after clear coating. I waited over 24hrs then wet sanded with 3000 grit before hand polishing with G3 scratch remover. Haven't taken pics since I polished though so I'll get them up tomorrow

 

[M-H 182]

Got a shot of them today.

 

[CrippsCorner]

Looking good mate! Much better than my efforts anyway :tongueout:

 

[kmr-172]

In my experience with plastic lights, The best way is to Sand them down 320, 500, 800, 1000wet, 3000wet Then simply lacquer them off, Admittedly i work in a bodyshop so i have access to a booth, But the lights come out like new and dont fade off like when polished, The only down side is like paint, If its chipped and your local car wash go at it with a jet wash you will get lacquer peel on the lights, Mine on the white clio have lasted over two years though, Both of these suffered badly with yellow lights.

 

[bozothenutter]

Got a shot of them today.

Well done mate!

 

[bozothenutter]

In my experience with plastic lights, The best way is to Sand them down 320, 500, 800, 1000wet, 3000wet Then simply lacquer them off, Admittedly i work in a bodyshop so i have access to a booth, But the lights come out like new and dont fade off like when polished, The only down side is like paint, If its chipped and your local car wash go at it with a jet wash you will get lacquer peel on the lights, Mine on the white clio have lasted over two years though, Both of these suffered badly with yellow lights.

That is what spraymax say in the instructions mate...sand down to 4000 >primer>laquer

I forgot the antistatic cloth....[emoji45]

 

[kmr-172]

Ahh my bad I've never heard of spray max, I don't use primer just a uv protected lacquer

 

[M-H 182]

Well done mate!

Thanks mate :smile:

Just for reference, I used this as my clearcoat:

Can be picked up from Homebase for a few quid :up:

 

[Rocket2042]

I've just been reading your post. I've just started mine. Usual discolouration. I bought a Meguires restoration kit but didn't seem too good. I then bought some wet & dry & have started with 1200 grit. It's much smoother but still hazy. From your post I guess I need to keep working at it & go 1500, 2000 up to 3000 first. I panicked a bit at the frosty look but it would appear I've only just started.
Cheers for the info.

 

[Crybert]

I've never heard of laquering the lights. I tend to just wax them..will this be ok?

 

[M-H 182]

Sorry guys, haven't been on for a while. To @Rocket2042 I would say keep persisting, but I guess you've done it by now? And I haven't had any problems with laquering the headlights @Cribert , but I wouldn't like to recommend it as I don't know what the long term effects are. The idea is that it creates a 'permanent' barrier against uv damage and yellowing. Guess I'll have to wait and see how long 'permanent' is!