Quick question about orbital buffers.
#1
Quick question about orbital buffers.
Anyone that can help...?
I didn't realize how bad my headlights were until I approached someone for a trade and they were like WTF!
I knew they needed some work so yesterday I got to it with armed with my sandpapers and Plastx.
I wetsanded the lights with 1500 and then 2000.
Then, applied a generous amount of Plastx to both and buffed each for about 15 minutes by hand.
Check it out....
It wasn't good enough so I went out today and scavenged all over San Francisco looking for an orbital buffer.
Finally....got one! Harder than you think to find.
Anyways....I need to remove this final lingering haze and I think the orbital buffer is what I need to do it.
Any tips or suggestions to use this on my headlights to completely cure them of the haze?
Any help is much appreciated.
I didn't realize how bad my headlights were until I approached someone for a trade and they were like WTF!
I knew they needed some work so yesterday I got to it with armed with my sandpapers and Plastx.
I wetsanded the lights with 1500 and then 2000.
Then, applied a generous amount of Plastx to both and buffed each for about 15 minutes by hand.
Check it out....
It wasn't good enough so I went out today and scavenged all over San Francisco looking for an orbital buffer.
Finally....got one! Harder than you think to find.
Anyways....I need to remove this final lingering haze and I think the orbital buffer is what I need to do it.
Any tips or suggestions to use this on my headlights to completely cure them of the haze?
Any help is much appreciated.
#6
The Detailer
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Hollister / San Jose, CA
Age: 42
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You'd be better off by going to an auto body paint shop instead of an auto parts store if you're looking for the automotive wet sandpaper. I would highly suggest you not use the Ryobi due to its size and your lack of experience (I'm under the assumption you've never used it).
By using the Ryobi, you risk burning right through your headlights' plastic and the Ryobi's rather large size are not ideal. As I suggested before, you'd be better off with a PC/UDM. Good luck!
By using the Ryobi, you risk burning right through your headlights' plastic and the Ryobi's rather large size are not ideal. As I suggested before, you'd be better off with a PC/UDM. Good luck!
Trending Topics
#8
Former Sponsor
A PC/UDM is great when setup with 4" pads for headlights. 4" is also great for individual spot repairs. Then swap out the 4" backing plate for a 5-6" and your set for paint care.
The Ryobi isnt going to accomplish near what the PC/UDM will, and you have a near endless variety of pad combinations.
They run anywhere from $125/$150.00
The Ryobi isnt going to accomplish near what the PC/UDM will, and you have a near endless variety of pad combinations.
They run anywhere from $125/$150.00
#9
If I had a garage where I could spend time on my car I believe it would be a worthwhile investment....I am going to have to borrow someone else's garage as a favor to me.
I am only buying the buffer to finish the removal of a final bit of haze from my headlights so I can trade them to someone else.
In San Francisco....most people have no garage so it is impossible to work on your own car.
I am only buying the buffer to finish the removal of a final bit of haze from my headlights so I can trade them to someone else.
In San Francisco....most people have no garage so it is impossible to work on your own car.
#10
Kang Ho
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJ, CA
Age: 41
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by exceldetail
A PC/UDM is great when setup with 4" pads for headlights. 4" is also great for individual spot repairs. Then swap out the 4" backing plate for a 5-6" and your set for paint care.
The Ryobi isnt going to accomplish near what the PC/UDM will, and you have a near endless variety of pad combinations.
They run anywhere from $125/$150.00
The Ryobi isnt going to accomplish near what the PC/UDM will, and you have a near endless variety of pad combinations.
They run anywhere from $125/$150.00
#11
The Detailer
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Hollister / San Jose, CA
Age: 42
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by nf3d0149ab
If I had a garage where I could spend time on my car I believe it would be a worthwhile investment....I am going to have to borrow someone else's garage as a favor to me.
I am only buying the buffer to finish the removal of a final bit of haze from my headlights so I can trade them to someone else.
In San Francisco....most people have no garage so it is impossible to work on your own car.
I am only buying the buffer to finish the removal of a final bit of haze from my headlights so I can trade them to someone else.
In San Francisco....most people have no garage so it is impossible to work on your own car.
I know what you're saying about S.F. because I have a sister that lives there. You really just have to make the best of what you have.
#12
The Detailer
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Hollister / San Jose, CA
Age: 42
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh and another thing (I can't edit my original post), you could always restore these headlights by hand but it's going to take quite a bit of elbow grease to get the headlights to near-new condition. I've done it before... it's not fun at all.
I'm not sure if 1500 grit wet sandpaper was enough for those headlights or not. If it's not, try going with 1000 grit and if it's really really bad, go with something a little lower like 800 grit.
I'm not sure if 1500 grit wet sandpaper was enough for those headlights or not. If it's not, try going with 1000 grit and if it's really really bad, go with something a little lower like 800 grit.
#15
Kang Ho
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJ, CA
Age: 41
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by nf3d0149ab
Thanks for all the advice everyone.
Today is a nice day and I am going to tackle the final removal of the haze with the cheap orbital buffer.
If successful, I will post some new pics.
Today is a nice day and I am going to tackle the final removal of the haze with the cheap orbital buffer.
If successful, I will post some new pics.
#22
Kang Ho
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJ, CA
Age: 41
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by vinnier6
dont you have a udm or a pc....take a 20 minute drive to go help this guy out.....
Originally Posted by nf3d0149ab
I think he was at the all-cali meet last month.
If so, then I was in the Nor Cal Caravan...maybe we even met.
If so, then I was in the Nor Cal Caravan...maybe we even met.
#23
My bad...I only remember the members by their avatars...did you change yours recently?
I know I met like 20 people and felt bad because I couldn't remember the names & screennames to the faces.
I got your PM and sent you one back.
We will coordinate something and I appreciate your help.
I know I met like 20 people and felt bad because I couldn't remember the names & screennames to the faces.
I got your PM and sent you one back.
We will coordinate something and I appreciate your help.
#24
Kang Ho
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJ, CA
Age: 41
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by nf3d0149ab
My bad...I only remember the members by their avatars...did you change yours recently?
I know I met like 20 people and felt bad because I couldn't remember the names & screennames to the faces.
I got your PM and sent you one back.
We will coordinate something and I appreciate your help.
I know I met like 20 people and felt bad because I couldn't remember the names & screennames to the faces.
I got your PM and sent you one back.
We will coordinate something and I appreciate your help.
#28
Yeah I do because the member I want to trade with has his perfect and there is still just a little bit I noticed on the driver's side that is being stubborn.
If you wouldn't mind...yeah I would like to do that real quick on Saturday morning.
I will get the before shot.
If you wouldn't mind...yeah I would like to do that real quick on Saturday morning.
I will get the before shot.
#31
Kang Ho
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJ, CA
Age: 41
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by nf3d0149ab
Yeah I do because the member I want to trade with has his perfect and there is still just a little bit I noticed on the driver's side that is being stubborn.
If you wouldn't mind...yeah I would like to do that real quick on Saturday morning.
I will get the before shot.
If you wouldn't mind...yeah I would like to do that real quick on Saturday morning.
I will get the before shot.
#32
SupaRookie is the man!
Thanks for the help out with your UDM.
The difference was noticeable and when I get a chance I will take some final pics.
That would be the best we could have done for those to clear them.
By the way...your TL is sick!
Thanks for the help out with your UDM.
The difference was noticeable and when I get a chance I will take some final pics.
That would be the best we could have done for those to clear them.
By the way...your TL is sick!
#33
Kang Ho
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJ, CA
Age: 41
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by nf3d0149ab
SupaRookie is the man!
Thanks for the help out with your UDM.
The difference was noticeable and when I get a chance I will take some final pics.
That would be the best we could have done for those to clear them.
By the way...your TL is sick!
Thanks for the help out with your UDM.
The difference was noticeable and when I get a chance I will take some final pics.
That would be the best we could have done for those to clear them.
By the way...your TL is sick!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post