T O P I C R E V I E W
|
Rio1999GT
Member # 9231
|
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
|
Secnd2nun64
Member # 1431
|
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.
|
Rio1999GT
Member # 9231
|
posted
I've used the restore kit before and they don't work too good lol.
|
Stang5.0City510
Member # 11711
|
posted
Clear it after
|
5.0 LsX
Member # 10017
|
posted
i like rubbing compound and a buffer, works great
|
KevinK
Member # 9234
|
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.
|
RacerX
Member # 11046
|
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.
|
Blind
Member # 3052
|
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
|
RacerX
Member # 11046
|
posted
Only 15 huh well I got six lights not one lol
|