How to restore "sandblasted" plastic on headlights?

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Old May 31, 2005 | 07:27 AM
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belcom's Avatar
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How to restore "sandblasted" plastic on headlights?

Anyone ever used any kind of plastic polish?
Like this one for example.....
http://www.autogeek.net/motplaspol.html

I just got my Sundance Gold CL-S last night :o))))
But I noticed there is a case of sandblasting on the headlight (plastic) lens.
I am pretty sure that if I use some kind of clear plastic restorer/polish I can improve the look and condition. I was just wondering if anyone tried a product that worked good?
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Old May 31, 2005 | 01:43 PM
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01bluecls's Avatar
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Wetsanding the headlights lights is the best way to REALLY clean them up. I have used Klasse AIO and Plastx before with minimal but good results. If your headlights are in decent shape with minimal hazing then the plastic polish should work fine. If they are hazed up pretty bad then wetsand and buffing will the only solution.
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Old Jun 1, 2005 | 02:22 PM
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us000011's Avatar
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You can get surprising improvement with an abrasive toothpaste and light buffing or polishing. Any brand with mild abrasives will work well. Why spend a lot of money on expensive chemicals? I usually finish with a silicone or Armorall coating.

(This suggestion assumes that you do normally keep toothpaste around; At my age, many friends just soak their teeth overnight)
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Old Jun 1, 2005 | 02:43 PM
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original Crest (blue) works very well at removing minor hazing from plastic.
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Old Jun 1, 2005 | 03:23 PM
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belcom's Avatar
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just rub it in a bit at a time?

what's this silicone coating you're talking about? home depot has it?
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Old Jun 1, 2005 | 03:48 PM
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Racer
 
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Originally Posted by us000011
(This suggestion assumes that you do normally keep toothpaste around; At my age, many friends just soak their teeth overnight)

now thats funny!
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Old Jun 1, 2005 | 05:46 PM
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Good info. Thanx guys.
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 09:39 AM
  #8  
us000011's Avatar
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Almost forgot- use water with the toothpaste, don't use it dry!!!!!
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 09:40 AM
  #9  
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Armorall is silicone spray- same as used to do your tires.
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 09:46 AM
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thanks, I will try to do this sometime soon. I use sonsodyne so I need to go get some crest :o))
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 11:16 AM
  #11  
Artwork's Avatar
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does anyone have before and after pics?
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 02:21 PM
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Osamu's Avatar
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http://www.acura-legend.com/vbulleti...&threadid=1888

DIY on a legend, i assume it'd be pretty much the same for the CL
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 03:34 PM
  #13  
belcom's Avatar
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wow, what a difference! I just can't get it how you can sand clear plastic until it becomes cloudy and then after polish it goes back to crystal clear. gotta try... but don't wanna ruin the headlights though
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 11:39 PM
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I pretty much did the same thing but mine were worse than the Legend and had a bunch of pits. I ended up using 320 grit sandpaper, wet sanding with 600 wasn't enough. After taking out the headlight, I started with 320 then 400, 600, 1000. Then used a buffing wheel with rubbing compound, plastic polish, then finally Blue Magic metal polish(Blue Magic plastic polish says to use their metal polish for a better shine). I did the road lights first just to see how it would turn out. Now both look brand new.

Some tips in addition to the Legend How To
Step#2 After sanding in straight lines, for ex. horizontal, sand vertical and make sure all horizontal sand lines are gone. Only then use the next finer sand paper and start over. This will prevent those tiny scratches.

Step #4 When using a buffer don't apply a lot of pressure or buff in one spot too long or you'll melt the plastic. Feel it often with your hand to make sure it's not getting hot.
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Old Jun 3, 2005 | 02:53 PM
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i dont know anything about sanding stuff, and my right headlight is messed up, should i still give this a try, i really need to i just dont want to f up my light even more.
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