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.

 

What kind of buffer did you pick up? You'd be better off with the PC/UDM and 4" pads than a rotary.

 

It is a standard Ryobi 10" Orbital Buffer (electric) that comes standard with Terry Cloth Pads.

3200 RPM.

 

You should wetsand again with 2500 grit sandpaper.That should get the haze out.

 

I will try that if I can find a place that carries it.

All the auto parts locations seem to be out of these high grit sandpapers.

 

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!

 

I have never used an orbital buffer before.

Those other machines if I recall are expensive.

 

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

 

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.

 

So I needed a 4" pad for the headlights...I use the standard 6.5" for cost saving. I guess I'll pick up some 4" pad and the 4" back plate next time. A UDM is great for cleaning up the paint on your car and making it shine. A word of caution though, you must really love your car and have an ipod ready for those long detail. Once you are finished, you will be

 

If you truly care for your car, it's definitely an investment worth getting. You really don't need a garage to detail your car. In fact, I do mobile details and all I need is a water source, electrical outlet, and an E-ZUP canopy and I'm set. You just need some sort of space. Hell, park on the sidewalk and do it there, LoL.

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

i would take back the 10" ryobi and get your money back...get a udm or pc....you can find a pc on ebay for under 100 bucks....

3200rpm is just not enough power to do anything....

 

good luck with it. my friend lexus was yellow as sh!t and after two passes, it's looking clear.

 

Just took a break....

I did one pass and it is working thus far.

I just masked off the lenses and applied Plastx and got it to about 95% clear.

Hopefully this next pass should do the trick before it gets dark.

 

dont you have a udm or a pc....take a 20 minute drive to go help this guy out.....

 

Hey yeah...if anybody has access to one here in the bay area I have the materials and would pay someone like $10 bucks to help me out. Should only take 20 minutes or so.

 

Also, I would travel to where you are located.

 

suparookie lives in san jo

 

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.

 

I do have a UDM. It's a 30 minute drive on the weekend. On the weekday, hah...

yea, we met and spoke. I was with a few of the guys that spoke with you @ Pismo. I work in Milpitas, so you can drive down and I can help you. It has to be after 5 PM. If that doesnt work out, you can come on the weekend.

 

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.

 

Yea, I changed it recently. The new picture was taken by Kiran (M.K.) at a recent mini-meet. You should post in the Bay Area thread; it's like a little chat section. I didnt get any pm back.

 

Yeah I have posted before in the Bay Area forum because I have been wanting to meet up with other Bay Area'ns.

I just can't seem to keep up with all the bay area chatter.

Will resend PM.

 

After the Ryobi....





By the way...my camera SUCKS!

 

looks pretty good to me. Did you take a before shot? You still need help?

 

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.

 

BEFORE:







WHAT A BIG DIFFERENCE!

 

Huge improvement!!

 

Alrite. The before picture is bad!

 

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!

 

No problem. Hope you guys have fun @ Santa Cruz. Thanks for the compliment. It was dirty and look sick; imagine if it was detail. I gotta start working on it slowly man. Car is filthy dirty after the all cali.

 

Ha ha...yeah Santa Cruz was cool.

Just being some beach bums and one of the girls never had been to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, so that was cool.