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Author
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Topic: Restoring Headlights
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Rio1999GT
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Member # 9231
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posted
 
 
Just picked up some headlights for $20 and would like to restore them. Just a few questions before I take a crack at it.
After wet-sanding them, what would be a good polish to buff them to a nice shine? Also, to keep them looking good, would some clear coat after the process is finish help?
This is how I figured I'd do it:
-Wet sand 600 grit
-Wet sand 800 grit
-Wet sand 1000 grit
-maybe hit it with some 1200 if they look like they need it
-use some sort of polish with electric drill to buff them to a nice shine
-couple shots of clear coat.
Any advice or criticism if appreciated ![[patriot]](graemlins/patriot.gif)
Posts: 772 | From: Antioch | Registered: Jun 2009
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Secnd2nun64
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Member # 1431
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posted
go 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000 and then polish. I use a table top buffer. I think the drill is too slow. Harbor Freight has them for $40. prob cheaper to buy a polishing kit in a box. its going to be a PITA to get the scratches out. try the finest grit first and see how that goes first before going heavy grit.
Posts: 1460 | From: CA | Registered: Jun 2002
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Rio1999GT
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Member # 9231
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posted
I've used the restore kit before and they don't work too good lol.
Posts: 772 | From: Antioch | Registered: Jun 2009
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StangCity510
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Member # 11711
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posted
Clear it after
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will work for stangs
Posts: 337 | From: Oakland | Registered: Feb 2012
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5.0 LsX
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Member # 10017
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posted
i like rubbing compound and a buffer, works great
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91' Notch
Posts: 1260 | Registered: May 2010
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KevinK
Tech Mod
Member # 9234
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posted
I used the 3M kit and it worked well. Better than I expected. It has verious grits and a 5000 grit pad and then uses a foam pad with rubbing compound. Be sure to keep things wet with the drill moving.
Posts: 200 | From: San Mateo, CA | Registered: Jun 2009
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Sikwidit-blumaxx88
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Member # 11046
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posted
If ur doin a old school Stang meaning 60-70s totally understand restoreing them but other than that waste of time and money I tryed on my 88 took a couple of hours to make them perfect jus sayin.
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SikwidiT cc
1988 5.0
Posts: 507 | From: East bay | Registered: Jun 2011
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Blind
2.3L
CAFords OG
Member # 3052
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posted
I wet sanded 1500, 2000, 3000 on my trucks headlights and then topped the 3000 with spar urathane.
They came out perfect and only took ~15 minutes per light.
before (left) and after (right), no my lights weren't that bad but after replacing the fog lights I wanted them to look perfect too.
here's a pic during the process, the haze all over is after the 3000 grit wet sanding, and the clean looking strip on the bottom is a test application of the spar urathane after 10 minutes of drying out in the sun.
Here's a detailing thread where I got the idea with more pics (basically a test showing it holds up and looks better than headlight specific products) -
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/37701-headlight-sealant-spar-urethane-vs-opti-coat-2-0-a.html
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89 LX Notchback ex 4cyl, 14psi
02 Harley F150, 15psi
Posts: 8521 | From: Fairfield | Registered: Jul 2003
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Sikwidit-blumaxx88
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Member # 11046
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posted
Only 15 huh well I got six lights not one lol
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SikwidiT cc
1988 5.0
Posts: 507 | From: East bay | Registered: Jun 2011
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