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Headlights, can this be polished out?



RussZS

RussZS

  Megane R26
Yeah I'd say so. Probably need to wet sand them polish to refine. It's amazing how many Clio's have this problem!
 
Greeny.

Greeny.

ClioSport Club Member
  440i + 182
Lol YES mine where 100% worse and came out ok using the guide on here.
 
john182rs

john182rs

  ITB BG 182
so is it the 2000, 2500 and 3000 grit wet and dry then some rubbing compound or could i use some thing like poorboys swirl remover bottles?
 
J

JD

You'll need to machine polish, unless you have arms like Popeye John. No local detailers around? I only charge £25 for doing it and by the time you've bought your paper, polish, pads etc works out cheaper to get someone to do it.
 
john182rs

john182rs

  ITB BG 182
i have one of the 7424 porter cable polishers and a spot pad that i could use till it dies as its a spare anyway.
I might just buy the megs plastic x stuff an give it a go that way if thats better other wise i have alot of the swirl removal bottles but dont know if this will be good for the lights or not.
 
J

JD

Ah in that case perfect lad. Not the toughest of methods, but does take time.

Wet and dry it down (when clean), then polish up with something like Menz IP or other. Simples tbh.
 
J

JD

Depends how bad the build up is John. Ben172s was horrific and still waiting on some more grit paper supplies to fully sort it. Others like Daz's car took 3000 grit, polished up in no time.
 
Cup_Phil

Cup_Phil

That mequiars plastic X stuff is utterly shite
Tried it on my headlights as they're as bad as yours

They make the plastic nice and shiney - but they dont remove the hazing

Sand down with some 3000grit or 2500/2000 if the 3000 doesn't work - then polish back up
The meguiars plastic x stuff is brilliant as a final touch to make the lights ultra shiney - but hopeless to start with
 
john182rs

john182rs

  ITB BG 182
JD said:
All good, but the 600 is not necessary and makes life difficult when you come to polish.
Click to expand...
so what grades would you say to use? i have poorboys 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 and 0.5 with many glazes and sealants and some wax's costing stupid money.
Looks like i will have to order the W&D off the net as no where near me does above 1200 grit.
 
J

JD

Almost 100% certain Halfrauds do 1200 buddy, but eBay is best. I would use no more than 1200 to start with, as this issue is not embedded in the plastic, it is a top layer reaction.

I have had no negative feedback from the 10-20 CS customers that have had this sorted for the last 3-5 years about it coming back.

Re the polishes, I use Menz Power Finish or IP. Usually just use what ever is hanging around then finish down.
 
john182rs

john182rs

  ITB BG 182
tu s**t i just realised your that detailer person thingy muh bob, no offence was intended with my comments just slightly unsure about doing this myself but i have all the stuff anyway so might aswell.
 
J

JD

john182rs said:
tu s**t i just realised your that detailer person thingy muh bob, no offence was intended with my comments just slightly unsure about doing this myself but i have all the stuff anyway so might aswell.
Click to expand...

Re read the thread and can't find a single offensive comment John! Here to help buddy so just ask away, don't have to worry about offending people with questions!!

ptfuzi said:
i dunno how you call it there, i mean varniss, that thing you apply on painting too! lol
Click to expand...

You don't want to be lacquering or varnishing your headlamps fella . . . !
 
J

JD

john182rs said:
tu s**t i just realised your that detailer person thingy muh bob, no offence was intended with my comments just slightly unsure about doing this myself but i have all the stuff anyway so might aswell.
Click to expand...

Polishes wise John, best to try the least abrasive to finish down to a decent finish chap.
 
rich-6

rich-6

  Dodgy one
2k then polish them with G3, refine with something less agressive = done

dont mince about with 3k and the lowest you should need to go is 1500 grit, anymore you risk taking too much off and making them go milky!
 
J

JD

Looks like a great start TBH John. It depends how particular you are. You could go with what Rich has stated, but I like to ensure they are perfect with no limit on time.
 
J

JD

As with paint Trev, cutting pad, cutting polish. Recently 3M yellow with some old Menz IP that was lying around, refined with FF.
 
Tigger

Tigger

  "Navy" N17 TWO
Woohoo! Thats how I did mine a while back - SFX spot pads + Menz IP/FF :)
I should really have started with a heavier grade paper as there's still a bit of haze on the edges - until next time eh
 
J

JD

Because it will chip with any stones that hit it for one thing. It will dull the finish most likely and varnish is not as easy to remove if you c**k it up ;)
 
john182rs

john182rs

  ITB BG 182
ptfuzi said:
i dunno how you call it there, i mean varniss, that thing you apply on painting too! lol
Click to expand...
I wouldnt do it, a friend of mine did it to his headlights and needed re-doing within 4 weeks because of the stone chips. How ever he has used a clear vinyl for them.
 
Gally

Gally

Formerly Mashed up egg in a cup
ClioSport Club Member
Oh and be careful with the heat of the pad, they warp very very easily.
 
Gally

Gally

Formerly Mashed up egg in a cup
ClioSport Club Member
Not a rotary? Reading fail.

I warped a Punto headlamp after flattening a light gouge out it. Got a little too hot!
 
Fagan

Fagan

The headlights on my EK9 are much worse than that in the OP.

They aren't just hazed just totally yellow. This is especially visible since the previous owner had a set of eyebrows on them. Now that I've removed the eyebrows there is a distinct line between nice clear clear headlight and dull yellow hazed headlight. Would the same method work?

I have a DAS-6 with a few polishes and pads if that's any use?
 
J

JD

john182rs said:
i have one of the 7424 porter cable polishers and a spot pad that i could use
Click to expand...

gally said:
Not a rotary? Reading fail.
Click to expand...

;)

Fagan said:
The headlights on my EK9 are much worse than that in the OP.

They aren't just hazed just totally yellow. This is especially visible since the previous owner had a set of eyebrows on them. Now that I've removed the eyebrows there is a distinct line between nice clear clear headlight and dull yellow hazed headlight. Would the same method work?

I have a DAS-6 with a few polishes and pads if that's any use?
Click to expand...

The yellowing - is it under where the eyebrows were fitted? If so, could be glue. If not, yes there is no reason why this wouldn't work.

However, if the yellowing is on the inside, you're knackered :(
 
Gally

Gally

Formerly Mashed up egg in a cup
ClioSport Club Member
Second hand ones or even autoclimate (non gen) will be cheap fagan. Nice fresh lights.

I can look into cost of them if they are just standard Civic headlamps that's on the EK9. What year?
 
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