Rejuvenate Your Headlights!
#1
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Rejuvenate Your Headlights!
After blacking out my headlights it became more apparent that I had a ridiculous number of scratches on my headlight from rocks. At first I thought it was dirt on the inside because cleaner and degreaser wouldn't work (thought I distinctly remember cleaning the inside of the headlight when they were apart). Dreading taking my headlights apart AGAIN, I inspected the area once more and realized they were abbrasions on the outside. Now for the part you really care about. I took 2000 grit sandpaper and wetsanded the whole headlight until it was baby smooth. Then I took 3M rubbing compound and an electric buffer and buffed them to a shine. I have to say that they look much better! If your headlights have a lot of scratches you should give it a shot.
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this works quite well. for the last car i owned (1993 Taurus SHO) the same suggestion was given on the forum and it worked beautifully for everyone i know who tried it. sorry i didn't think of it sooner. thanks!
i also remember something about using even higher grit paper but i really can't remember now. there is alot of plastic polish out there you can use to make the headlight casing shiny again.
SSTS
i also remember something about using even higher grit paper but i really can't remember now. there is alot of plastic polish out there you can use to make the headlight casing shiny again.
SSTS
#6
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this
and this work great too
and this work great too
#7
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Originally Posted by fsttyms1
this
and this work great too
and this work great too
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#8
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I did something similar to my buddy's 95 lexus es300 headlights. They were yellow and almost opaque. I wetsanded (get a bowl with water and a little bit of dishwasing soap to soak the sand paper in) with 1000, 1500, then 2000 gritt paper. Next applied the rubbing compound, then meg. scratch X, then polish, and finished them off with a coat of meg. NXT wax. They came out looking brand new and perfectly smooth.
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backedbygod (04-02-2012)
#9
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Originally Posted by Inspire
Damn... fsttyms1, you really been around huh? Seems like you're extremely knowledgeable about everything. I'll definitely try this out.
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Originally Posted by bkzjimmy
im sorry to say , but...............
#11
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Noice and shiney!
#12
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niiiiiiiiiiiiiice im doin mine in about an hour ......where exactly is westmont we should meet up on day get a couple of local jersey TL's and have a mini meet
#13
Originally Posted by fsttyms1
yup! this stuff works good. if you cant find it, the other method works good too
#14
Senior Moderator
i always used both.
Clear Plastic Cleaner removes fine hairline scratches from all types of clear plastic. Unique, non-abrasive formula prepares the surface for Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Polish. Perfect cleaner for compter screens, convertible windows, helmet visors, motorcycle windscreens, displays and instryment panels.
Clear Plastic Polish safely restores optic clarity to all clear plastics. Provides a static-free coating that repels dust. Safe and effective on both acrylic and polycarbonate surfaces. Ideal for cars, motorcycles, RV's, boats and aircraft.
then there is this
Clear Plastic Detailer is a quick spray and wipe product for all types of clear plastics from CD’s to convertible windows. Non-abrasive formula removes smudges and residue without scratching. Restores and maintains optic clarity. Anti-static/non-crazing.
Clear Plastic Cleaner removes fine hairline scratches from all types of clear plastic. Unique, non-abrasive formula prepares the surface for Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Polish. Perfect cleaner for compter screens, convertible windows, helmet visors, motorcycle windscreens, displays and instryment panels.
Clear Plastic Polish safely restores optic clarity to all clear plastics. Provides a static-free coating that repels dust. Safe and effective on both acrylic and polycarbonate surfaces. Ideal for cars, motorcycles, RV's, boats and aircraft.
then there is this
Clear Plastic Detailer is a quick spray and wipe product for all types of clear plastics from CD’s to convertible windows. Non-abrasive formula removes smudges and residue without scratching. Restores and maintains optic clarity. Anti-static/non-crazing.
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have the same problem...
i bought Plast-x and tried applying by hand with no luck...
i heard if you wet-sand, you might strip off the UV protection? is that true?
and what if i dont have any buffer... can i apply the polish by hand?
i bought Plast-x and tried applying by hand with no luck...
i heard if you wet-sand, you might strip off the UV protection? is that true?
and what if i dont have any buffer... can i apply the polish by hand?
#19
Originally Posted by big mike 13
have the same problem...
i bought Plast-x and tried applying by hand with no luck...
i heard if you wet-sand, you might strip off the UV protection? is that true?
and what if i dont have any buffer... can i apply the polish by hand?
i bought Plast-x and tried applying by hand with no luck...
i heard if you wet-sand, you might strip off the UV protection? is that true?
and what if i dont have any buffer... can i apply the polish by hand?
#20
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I suppose you might be able to if you can move your hand really fast! haha. I don't think it will work because you won't be able to remove the haze by hand. If you don't have a multi-speed buffer, I've seen palm buffers at pep boys for 25 bucks. Probably worth giving a shot. Good luck.
#21
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by RelentlessOne
I suppose you might be able to if you can move your hand really fast! haha. I don't think it will work because you won't be able to remove the haze by hand. If you don't have a multi-speed buffer, I've seen palm buffers at pep boys for 25 bucks. Probably worth giving a shot. Good luck.
Originally Posted by progz
what type of cloth do i need to use to apply these? thanks
#25
My "P" SpAnKs YouR "S"
Will sanding with 2000 grit get rid of haze on my headlights? I think its oxidation.
After I sand I'm gonna use meg's polish then wax.( is this ok?) or should I use their cleaner then polish then wax? So many questions
After I sand I'm gonna use meg's polish then wax.( is this ok?) or should I use their cleaner then polish then wax? So many questions
#26
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Originally Posted by t0ast
I can't see your car... all I see is sky!..... dayam, that's a nice shine.... what's your polish?
#27
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Originally Posted by TL_Fo_Life
Will sanding with 2000 grit get rid of haze on my headlights? I think its oxidation.
After I sand I'm gonna use meg's polish then wax.( is this ok?) or should I use their cleaner then polish then wax? So many questions
After I sand I'm gonna use meg's polish then wax.( is this ok?) or should I use their cleaner then polish then wax? So many questions
#28
My "P" SpAnKs YouR "S"
Originally Posted by RelentlessOne
Sanding with 2000 will most likely get rid of the oxidation on the outside, I thought that was what mine was, but it was just really fine scratches. Meg's Polish and wax sounds good but (someone correct me if I am wrong) you should use the rubbing compound first to remove the fine scratches left by the 2000.
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Okay guys, i've been trying do this and getting my headlights looking like new again, but i'm just not having much luck.
I've wetsanded the headlights till they're really smooth and hazy.
And then i tried applying the rubbing compound, but all it does is remove some of the haze, but theres still a lot of small scratches from the sanding:
I applied the rubbing compound by hand b/c thats what the package said. Should i just use an electric buffer?
I've wetsanded the headlights till they're really smooth and hazy.
And then i tried applying the rubbing compound, but all it does is remove some of the haze, but theres still a lot of small scratches from the sanding:
I applied the rubbing compound by hand b/c thats what the package said. Should i just use an electric buffer?
#30
Instructor
Originally Posted by big mike 13
have the same problem...
i bought Plast-x and tried applying by hand with no luck...
i heard if you wet-sand, you might strip off the UV protection? is that true?
and what if i dont have any buffer... can i apply the polish by hand?
i bought Plast-x and tried applying by hand with no luck...
i heard if you wet-sand, you might strip off the UV protection? is that true?
and what if i dont have any buffer... can i apply the polish by hand?
#31
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Depending on how scratched/oxidated your lenses are here's my method for Crystal clear Beauties:
Supplies:
Stoner's Invisible Glass
Microfiber towel x2
Turtle Wax Polishing compound
Meguiar's Plast-x
Mothers Powerball Mini
Power Drill
First I clean off the lenses of any gunk with the invisible glass. Usually 3 coats - IE spray, wipe, spray, wipe, spray wipe, buff.
After that take a wet rag and dip it into the polish compound. Take the rag and work it into one lense at a time, overlapping as you go back and forth - be care not to let it dry all the way as its a beeyotch to get off if it does. Buff off the residue afterwards. The scratches should be gone/ very noticibly reduced.
Using my powerball mini I squirt about a quarter sized amount on the top and wiped it across the lense to keep it front spraying all over the place. Start the ball out slow and as the layer gets thinner speed up your drill and you'l notice the Plastx is just leaving a small haze behind. Repeat for the other lense and the buff to a nice gleam with a microfiber towel.
Takes all of 15-20mins
I'll post pics of mine later today after I give mine a quick one-two.
Supplies:
Stoner's Invisible Glass
Microfiber towel x2
Turtle Wax Polishing compound
Meguiar's Plast-x
Mothers Powerball Mini
Power Drill
First I clean off the lenses of any gunk with the invisible glass. Usually 3 coats - IE spray, wipe, spray, wipe, spray wipe, buff.
After that take a wet rag and dip it into the polish compound. Take the rag and work it into one lense at a time, overlapping as you go back and forth - be care not to let it dry all the way as its a beeyotch to get off if it does. Buff off the residue afterwards. The scratches should be gone/ very noticibly reduced.
Using my powerball mini I squirt about a quarter sized amount on the top and wiped it across the lense to keep it front spraying all over the place. Start the ball out slow and as the layer gets thinner speed up your drill and you'l notice the Plastx is just leaving a small haze behind. Repeat for the other lense and the buff to a nice gleam with a microfiber towel.
Takes all of 15-20mins
I'll post pics of mine later today after I give mine a quick one-two.
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