So I've been researching a lot on wetsanding headlights. I have found countless DIYs, but the only problem with the DIYs is that no one specifies how long they should be sanded with each grit sand paper. I have purchased 800, 1000, and 2000 grit sand paper as well as Meguires PlastX. How long should I wetsand with each grit? Also, will the PlastX take out all the sand marks with my UDM?

 

Not sure about the sanding, depending on severity, and contamination I would only use 2000 grit on the headlight with plenty of detail spray as lubrication, and then couple coats with PlastX followed by a wax or sealant. I have used Mequires Plastic X on my headlights before they work good but I use to achieve ample results by hand, it should work outstanding with a UDM or PC, I have however yet to try this.

 

I think I used 1500 last time on mine. Then just went to optimum compound (it was handy at the time). Just sand the surface until it appears uniform. Sandpaper should be kept in a bucket of water prior to using (About an hr). Use plenty of water while sanding. I was skeptical about doing this but it worked great after the PC and Optimum Polish. I probably returned +20% lighting when all was said and done.

 

X2 .. I don't use the Plastic X all I did was use the Optimum Compound ( Megs #83 ) on a cutting pad followed by Optimum polish ( Megs #80) on a polishing pad.

I have tried the plastix X but it does seem to have fillers and abrasives . I prefer to polish things out so there is less chance of returning.

 

I agree with Excel and Jessyn. I would go with a compounding polish to clean up the sanding marks. As far as how long you need to sand, simply depends on how bad your headlights are. Sand until you see the improvement that you desire. THe reason you start with a lower/more aggressive paper is for quicker cutting. Following up with a finer grit paper will make it easier when it comes to your final finishing aka Polishing compound or Plastic X. I have not used Plastic X so I can't help you there. The finer you go with your sanding the easier it will be to remove the scratches induced by the sand paper. If your headlights are not very bad I would start with a less aggressive paper like 1500 grit or maybe even 2000 grit. See if that works, might save you some time. Basically you just have to hunker down and give it a try!

 

lol...you bet i'm gonna give it a try. i will probably try to get all the nicks out with the 2000 grit and make some passes with the plastX and see how I like it from there.

 

My neighbor just used Plastx on a 90s dodge truck headlights.
They were clouded more than any Acura I had seen. 5 minutes with the Mothers Powerball on a drill and each looked about 50% better, and 30 percent more light coming thru.

Now I will take some Optimum compounds over and see how much more we can clear them up. I expect like new based on ziner pics of their projects.

 

i just did my headlights. i think they could have come out better but im happy for now. maybe once i get a UDM ill do them again! i used 1500 then 200 grit with plastix and then a generic carnuba wax. i had a bottle lying around, one of those you get at the fairs and stuff. figured its on my old headlights that ill be switching out anyway, so ill try my hand. anyway, let the sandpaper soak for an hour, started with the 1500 grit, and used a water bottle to keep a constant stream of water over area i was sanding. my lights were a bit pitted too, not only oxidized. ill post up before and after pics tomorrow. so after, i followed up with 2000 grit, then let them dry. they got real hazy too. i found better success going side to side then a circling motion. after i used plastix on a MF towel, used to elbow grease to really rub it in, which took care of the hazing right away. a few minutes of that, then i just waxed. they look much better

 

I've always been curious as to the effects of sanding headlights with too fine a grit...because I read that it effectively sands off the top uv protectant coat layer, and thus the headlights (though they may appear new) will over time yellow and haze due to lack of uv protection. I suppose to combat that you can regularly polish, but I kinda equate it to sanding clearcoated lips on wheels. (btw, I wetsanded my old jdm headlights on my accord and they did haze over quite a bit over the summer months even though i kept polishing/waxing em...weird)

 

Usually if they are hazed and yellowed any UV coating is long gone anyway or they wouldn't be yellowed.

 

Perhaps a bit of 303 will protect them from the UV.......??

 

theres a carnuba wax/cleaner out there called FW1 spray some of that on there for about a minute or two and rub off but put some ass behind it and it will take a whole lot of the haze off of your headlights and use it for your windows too it will repel water like no other.

 

I've always had this crazy idea to try hand applying Mequiars Scratch X to pitted or slightly oxidized headlight housings. It's a very fine abrasive (obviously), but have no idea if it would be okay to use on plastic.

 

I wetsanded the plastic headlight lenses on my old Talon and found same. They looked great for a period (if you do it right), but it seemed to me they started yellowing again before too many months went by, so I think there might be something to the whole "UV protection layer that gets rubbed off" theory. Clear plastic parts just have a shelf life if they see too much sun time.

The products by Meguiars and similar designed for clear plastic often contain UV protection if I'm not mistaken, so using it regularly will likely help with yellowing over time. (Or spend big bucks and replace the headlight assemblies...I've done that too. )

 

i just did my car for the first time with the udm, i went right over the headlights and tail lights with a black pad and polish...ofcourse my car is new so the headlights were in good condition, but i would go that route before i took sandpaper to it...

 

I wouldn't use carnauba on the lights; it has a tendency to put a yellowish haze on clear plastics.

 

I just wetsanded my headlights tonight using 2000 grit paper. I had some hazing and pit marks. It got off all the haze, and reduced about 50% of the pit marks.

I followed up using my UDM and Sonus SFX1, followed with Meguires PlastX. They came out looking new.

 

PICTURES !

 

are you all actually getting out all of the sand marks? Or do you still see what looks like swirls? The haze generated by the sanding is gone and it looks clean, but when i put some light on it, I can see what looks like swirls..i am guessing they are from the wetsanding.

 

after i sand with 1500-2000 you think i could hand polish it out with rubbing compound then a wax?

 

What kind of sealant or wax would you guys suggest to put on the headlights after wetsanding and polishing?

 

This is how I did mine. They look brand new.
https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-video-electronics-navigation-22/addition-subwoofer-install-help-talked-guy-justcaraudio-174748/