Headlights

[Jordanb29]

Hi all,

Just bought some secondhand lights for my car since I had a go with the 3M kit on my old ones and they came out, Well.. Pap really!

I think the sand paper was just to coarse and can still see a lot of scratches on the lights when you look closely. These secondhand ones have the normal hazing on top and a few scratches etc so im wanting to tidy them up to make them look clean and fresh!

Can anyone tell me a good process to do them and where to buy the products for a good price instead of buying the 3M kit.

Ive got a drill with the attachment to put the sand paper on to make it a bit easier than doing it by hand

Just want to know what sort of grade of sandpaper i will need and how much of it etc. Oh and a polish/compound aswell!

Thanks in advance

 

[JD]

Thanks for proving my point about this kit.

Moving on, 2000 upto 4000 grit wet and dry paper. Soaked in water and a little bit of washing up liquid. Then polish with the drill head (if you can't get a DA or someone with one close to you) using a decent finishing polish.

Make sure you seal them with a decent UV wax or nanosealant (like C4) after that.

 

[Cliotoby]

Bang some Gtechniq C3 on it if your short on cash. I wouldn't bother with a wax for headlights. Needs to be long lasting.

 

[Jordanb29]

Thanks for proving my point about this kit.

Moving on, 2000 upto 4000 grit wet and dry paper. Soaked in water and a little bit of washing up liquid. Then polish with the drill head (if you can't get a DA or someone with one close to you) using a decent finishing polish.

Make sure you seal them with a decent UV wax or nanosealant (like C4) after that.

Would you say anything under 2000grit is to harsh on the lights then? I got told to do the process of 1500, 2000, 2500 then finish with 3000.

Would expect doing the 4000 will be very time consuming. Atleast ive got the headlights off the car so i can do it when the time suits me and wont have to worry about taking them off and on the car

 

[McGherkin]

You are polishing them afterwards with Meg's Scratch X or similar right?

Also spend more time with the higher grits.

 

[banther]

Mine came up perfectly. I did take my time though. 3.5 hours all in!!

Loads of work with the higher grits is absolutely necessary.

 

[Jordanb29]

You are polishing them afterwards with Meg's Scratch X or similar right?

Also spend more time with the higher grits.

Yeah i will be using some polish/wax etc after to protect them. I was thinking of doing that, then buying some type of clear film off fleabay to cover the lights to prevent them getting damaged.

Mine came up perfectly. I did take my time though. 3.5 hours all in!!

Loads of work with the higher grits is absolutely necessary.

I know they are going to be time consuming, I spent like 90min on my old set with the 3M and they came out crap so definitely going to be taking a lot more time

What process and grit sand paper did you use if you dont mind me asking?

 

[banther]

I used the 3M kit mate... not what you want to hear I know!!

Used some Megs Polish at the closing stage. Didnt really need to though but thought while I was there may as well!

 

[Jordanb29]

I used the 3M kit mate... not what you want to hear I know!!

Used some Megs Polish at the closing stage. Didnt really need to though but thought while I was there may as well!

Ah damn. Yeah im definitely not using the 3M. The first sand paper you get told to use is awful!

 

[banther]

You were clearing the residue off the pad as you went along werent you?

 

[Jordanb29]

You were clearing the residue off the pad as you went along werent you?

yeah i was always wiping the crap off as it gets everywhere such as all over the front bumper

 

[McGherkin]

Yeah i will be using some polish/wax etc after to protect them. I was thinking of doing that, then buying some type of clear film off fleabay to cover the lights to prevent them getting damaged.

The Meguiars Scratch X is not to protect the headlights, it's to make the glass clear after the sanding. If you don't polish the lights up with the Meg's you'll end up with them being cloudy/milky.

 

[.LiamC.]

Subscribed to this for future referance, really need to do mine! They're starting to look awful now

 

[Jordanb29]

Yeah i was going to get the clear film to protect it from stones flinging up onto them etc.