When the compound has spread, turn the drill onto full speed, making sure to cover all areas of the headlight. however, chrome polish followed by uv protecterant works as well as this approach, and is faaaaaar easier and faster.. results last more than 12 months here in oregon. Then, move onto something like a 2000-grit sandpaper and continue sanding, all the while keeping the paper and the headlight wet. Great Idea! -Slowly start sanding the headlight making sure to spray water while you sand. Make sure you apply a nice thin coat, making sure there are no runs. Hi gmatta,Thanks for this instruction. :D. About: Car enthusiast YouTuber creating helpful tutorial videos on both repairs and customizations. As you can see with these lenses, the deterioration is mainly on the top of the lens, this is the area most exposed to weathering, UV light, etc. Place the sand paper on the headlight (it will stick by itself) and continue to spray the whole headlight until the whole headlight is wet.-Slowly start sanding the headlight making sure to spray water while you sand. I'm guessing it's just a matter of more sanding but as I say, I wanted to be cautious.Would love to hear your expert opinion!Thanks again! Plastic headlight scratch repair kit Vidéo. Once we get around the headlight cutout I’m just going to take more masking tape and take the plastic down. Spray the headlights with the water and then use the sandpaper to, you know, sand. What I like about this is you don’t need to mix any clear coat, mask up and take the part out. Discussion Starter • #1 • Dec 1, 2007. I prefer using a finishing pad, each company will have different color ratings for their pads. Nov 2, 2018 - Sanding Disc - Wet and Dry 3" 1000 grit (50 pack) Hook and loop backing. you now have a nice, clean headlight and you can see at night again. As a final step you should apply a sealant. on Introduction. I would highly recommend washing them to remove any dirt or debris, which may potentially cause damage. With sandpaper, the smaller the number, the coarser the grit, therefore it will remove material faster and leave larger scratches. I realize this is an old comment, but I wanted to comment for everyone to see. Fold the 600 grit wet sandpaper on the sanding block. Spray is VERY good light so you can see the clear “shine up” as you get the spray heavy enough to flow out. Some people do start with 800 grit on severe lights, however, that will remove material quicker and it’s not something I’d recommend for beginners. you don't want it to drip on the paint.Begin applying the clear coat, starting at the top of the headlight and going in a horizontal movement, making your way down. Before sanding, apply water (which acts as a lubricant) to the headlight and the sand paper. you are sanding the headlights to get all the other **** off, not scratch the plastic. Check out the video as I demonstrate sanding and buffing the headlights for you. Hope this will help as it takes less time and the results last for at least ten years. So i need to do this to my car, i just need to get some personal opinions of what i should use. If your headlights just need a light touch-up, you can skip the 400-grit and stick with the 600-grit sandpaper. The 400 is too rough and you'll see surface scratches, especially when the light is illuminate. Sometimes that will help to spot any remaining sanding marks. Continued; I also adjust speed to 1000 RPM (easy to burn plastic), after polish I scuff with 2000 grit wet sand paper, clean with fresh water, wipe with alcohol I use CLEAN brown paper towel (no lint)!! I have the materials at home already, so no off the shelf kit is needed. It’s important to keep the plastic wet while sanding. It came out great after I put the cut urethane mix in. Effective for medium to light corrosion. There is no such thing as over spraying your headlight.After you get a uniform finish, you will notice the headlight has cleared up again. ;-), Reply Urethane takes time to cure, so sticking your car in the sun to show off your headlights wont hurt. Light to medium pressure is all that’s needed. On smaller lenses, you may consider using the palm of your hand. Use a spray bottle to get the surface of the headlight and the sandpaper wet with water. You covered all angles and especially the safety aspects for the inexperienced diyer's.I know there will be alot folks appreciate all your time and effort to produce this project Thanks. Now your hands can get a break as we continue on to the next step. The two most common issues that wet sanding fixes when it comes to headlights is cloudy headlights and scratches on the plastic surface. Keep the sanding pattern irregular to avoid producing deep scratches that might remain visible. You can use any catalized clear coat, which means two parts, usually the clear coat and the hardner. The type of sandpaper you need for wet sanding is called silicon carbide -- or wet/dry -- sandpaper. You should get a nice, even coat on the headlights when you are finished. This causes those oxidized and yellow headlights you see today. Yesterday, it didn't rain for a few hours, so I sanded the headlights and polished them. Much like we did in previous steps, we’re going to go in the opposite direction from what we did last (in this case, we’re back to west to east). Good Work, Reply Don't worry - it’s okay if it gets messy! Skip to main content. Start with a clean headlight, then using a spray bottle, evenly coat the lens with water. 2 years ago For this, I am using my 2006 Dodge Ram as an example. Step 3 Pour water on the headlights and sand them. Keep the drill running at 400-600 rpm, using light pressure. Leave the bulbs installed or tape off the holes, do not get water inside as this can damage the reflector or cause staining inside. Blue Red etc I'll post if I get a chance to try one. This is why there are two layers of tape. Don't panic if you do. Professional detailers use wet sanding methods with various sandpaper grits along with polishers to get the desired clarity from the lens. Faded headlight doesn’t look good on a vehicle and can cause poor light output at night. And thanks for checking out my first i'ble. Alright, so we’re gonna start with a 500 grit sandpaper. However, it is one of the easiest to fix! . Just don't want you to think it will last forever! A machine polish can be used such as an orbital, rotary, or even a drill attachment With this being plastic, the surface can be easily burned, so extreme caution is needed. You can do this by hand or with a power sander. 5. It still has some oxidation, just not as much as the plastic you just sanded off. To be safe, let the clear coat sit for 4 hours before touching the headlight, Overnight is the safest bet. Always make sure the surface is well lubricated and rinse the sandpaper and surface as needed. Like the cloudiness or blotchiness is deeper in the plastic lens? For consumers about the only sealant you will find is car wax. The Importanance Of Wet Sanding Your Hazy Headlights When you wet sand your hazy headlights you are able to remove all the oxidization as well as the remaining manufacturer sealer that's on the headlight lens. This coating can fail and fade away. Pour water on the headlights and sand them. This is where the Minwax spar urethane comes in.Take the urethane and pop the top. If not, take some spirits and strip the clear coat off and start over. 5 years ago Water isn't needed, but helps to make the paper last longer and make it easier. This will get rid of any compound left on the headlights. This is my first instructable, so I hope all goes well. Sandpaper grinds away the damaged plastic and restores the original condition and color. Also: most new automotive headlights are actually pretty easy to remove (mine, for instance, have just two pull tabs that release the whole housing), so removing them and repairing them away from the car is easy and recommended, especially to control overspray. This product not only cleans the headlight but also protect the surface from future oxidation. Rinse the lens and sandpaper as needed. I do have a little condensation inside the lens which most likely came in from the backside when washing. Wash the light and surrounding area so no containments cause any issues. Make sure to keep the headlight lubricated especially in this step. MarkMannM2, Question !, factory lens has an UV shield coating that when you use abrasive or even toothpaste and baking soda will remove that coating. We want to get everything ready. The secret is called Silvo or Brasso. Wet the surface and we’re starting out with 1000 grit again. Prepare Headlight & Paint Water Sanding Block & Restoration Kit for wet sanding. When you get a uniform finish, you will notice the headlight is beginning to clear up (but only slightly). -Cut your sand paper sheets into fourths (I found mine at Walmart for about $3 and change per pack. A 600 grit sandpaper will do the job just fine. The rest of the plastic from that headlight is just as old, but it's been somewhat protected from damaging sunlight by the plastic that you've removed. Keep the area well lubricated, rinse the as needed when there’s excessive sanding residue build-up, and keep inspecting the lens for clarity. Apply the polish to the pad in dabs, then smear it on the surface to reduce the chance of sling. NOTE: I used additional blue tape because I did not want the sanded plastic to get into my headlight pop-up washers. Over time, the plastic that makes up your headlights will degrade and cloud over. I’m redoing an old video, this was the 10th video I uploaded to YouTube back in March 2011. Make sure the lenses are clean, for my method using wax, apply it to an applicator and work it across the surface. Make sure you do rinse the vehicle’s surrounding surface, the residue left behind from the lenses when dry can be hard to remove. STEP 4: Wet sand for deeper scratches. 4. Step 1: Block off the surrounding area with tape. Try wet-sanding the lens again with 600 grit wet-or-dry paper (the black stuff) and then 1000 grit. I plan to black out my tail lights on this BMW. Dip the towel into the urethane mixture and make sure to get rid of any excess urethane from the towel. Sand The Headlights. I did this after I hit a deer in '97 or 8 that took out the hood and left headlight on my 94 Escort. on Introduction. Despite wet sanding the surface, some UV coating is still left on the front of the headlight, but due to its deterioration, the UV coating has been removed on the top and you may be able to see that transition line. Instead of polishing you can, after the wet sanding Wipe with acetone & paint with Krylon crystal clear acrylic. When done, moving up to 1500 grit sandpaper. 856 Posts . Yours is the proper way of doing this that many shops won't do because they love repeat business..LOL, Hello-was the Krylon a rattle can or a brush on paint can? More work is also involved in removing those 800 grit scratches. Try wet-sanding the lens again with 600 grit wet-or-dry paper (the black stuff) and then 1000 grit. You MUST keep the headlight wet while you’re sanding to prevent the drill sander burning the plastic and causing more damage. Generally speaking, I expect headlights to withstand 1 good sanding. Other areas that can affect poor light output can include improperly aimed lights, ages bulbs showing deterioration, the lens or protectors if equipped are dirty, or an electrical issue where the light isn’t receiving sufficient voltage. Now that we have finished 1000 grit, we can move on to 2000 grit. But the Lense is still a little hazy. I took a sheet of 1500 grit wet-sanding paper and soaked it in a bucket with 1 gal water:1 oz car wash for 20 minutes. Finally, polish the headlight to keep dust and road grime from sticking to the surface. With 1000 grit, this is used to remove a majority of the imperfections. Begin sanding by holding the pad to the headlight. 2 months ago, No problem, and thank you for your comment :), Tip Now they are clear and not yellowed. It’s important to keep the plastic wet while sanding. This process can be used on fog lights, tail lights, and any other form of plastic style lenses on vehicles. Get out your drill, and attach the hookit pad and compound pad. The kit process involves taping off the already cleaned headlight and wet sanding to remove the thin, hazy, yellow layer of plastic. For the most heavily damaged surfaces though, it may be necessary to use harsher abrasives than those found in paint correction products. Light pressure is all that's required - if you push too hard, you could potentially scar the plastic. Question to you or anyone with experience, do you at times find that you can't buff out the oxidation totally so that after the polish, the texture and feel of the lens is smooth, polished, and uniform but it still looks a little cloudy in some trouble spots? I recently Wet sanded my headlights starting with 500grit to 800 grit to 1000 grit to 1200 grit and finished it off using 2000grit. Open the cap and apply a decent glob on the headlight. Plastic headlight housings are coated with a special sealant at the factory. Did you make this project? A backing pad can be used and I’ll show you that in a moment. If you would like, you can wash the car now, as after we apply the urethane, you won't want to touch the headlights for a good while.Take a shop towel and fold it into a small square. The rest of the plastic from that headlight is just as old, but it's been somewhat protected from damaging sunlight by the plastic that you've removed. For more info, visit at https://www.truworthhomes.com/rust-oleum-wipe-new-headlight-restore.html. Congratulations. This is also the time you need to take to fill your spray bottle with water. Don’t get too much or it will run - that’s the tough part. Moving onto the opposite light, this time using a different method. Question . wipe off the water and move on to the next step. It lasted till '07 when the car was stolen, so it will last for at least ten years, the can of Krylon indicates that is non-yellowing. There are various polishes available on the market, one of the easier to use polishes is Meguiars Ultimate Polish. All that stuff with sandpaper and aggressive chemicals is no good for the plastic, bit like the stable door and the horse - there is a layer of UV protection applied to the lenses when they are made (and once it is removed by aggressive treatments the plastic will deteriorate even faster), regular treatment with something like super resin will keep the layer intact and the lenses clear. It is really important to determine the grade of sandpaper based on the amount of fogging on the headlights. Before sanding, clean off dirt and grime with a mild detergent solution. This should easily last a year, however, this can vary depending on your climate and your final results. Red Scotchbrite also has the equivalent of 400 grit sandpaper and it doesn't level out the surface like sandpaper which would result in surface distortion after. Item# 100323(50) 3″ Wet & Dry Sanding Disc – 1000 grit $29.87 Once oxidation begins to take place, it quickly degrades the headlight lens, because polycarbonate is a porous material. In many cases faded plastic headlights can be brought back to life with nothing more than a selection of paint compounds and polishes. This applies to the plastic style lens, it’s made of a polycarbonate type plastic which can withstand the abuse from road debris, however over time the UV coating does tend to deteriorate and you’re left with this yellowish, hazy, and rough finish. How to Restore Headlights with Wet Sanding and Clear Coating You want to make sure to tape up any and all paint surrounding the headlights. Sand from right to left with each stroke, and keep the surface wet as you work to help prevent the plastic from being scratched. It is important to get down to the pure polycarbonate plastic. But to get rid of just oxidation, that's a genius idea. Overspray has a way to get on any and everything that you don't mask, so when you spray (if you so choose), you will also need to spend more time masking and taping. Tape off the areas surrounding your headlights because the polishing compound can damage paint and other surfaces (such as chrome). This causes those oxidized and yellow headlights you see today. I have used auto glym super resin polish on headlights for many years and it keeps them in good shape. Krylon paint is available at any Wal Mart and the red scotchbrite pad is available at most auto part stores. In the case of yellowing, the further action of sanding your headlights' surface may be necessary if a more detailed cleaning does not fix the issue. Wet the headlight and begin sanding, working in even lines over the surface of the headlight to remove scratches and oxidation. The wet sanding method is the most preferred permanent remedy for cleaning car headlights. This method isn’t intended for glass style lights. A slow speed is recommended, however, my polisher only has two speeds. Celebrate for the hard work is done. Rinse the light, removing any residue, and then dry. I also only used 600 and 800 grit sand paper and no polishing with great success and saves your hands. This helps keep the headlight lubricated while using less water, but you don't need any more than a few drops.Now, we need to tape up the area around the headlights. Or do I need 1500 and 3000, Thank you! If you use the kit, you’ll use sanding discs. This must be a wet/dry compatible sandpaper, otherwise, it will fall apart when exposed to water. This is due to oxidation on the lens. The clear coat will come off with mineral spirits. Again like the 800 grit and 1000 grit sandpaper, you will take the 2000 grit sandpaper and begin sanding the headlight, making sure to go in one direction. At that point the plastic is vulnerable to UV light, acid rain, dirt, etc. Now that you know how much hard work you did, we want to protect the headlights from turning back into the way they were. Next is moving up to 2000 grit sandpaper. The plastic should be white with the yellowing removed, there shouldn’t be any outlines of the old UV coating as this can be sometimes visible after the polishing stage. As for a commonly asked question applying a clear coat. 4. The only time I like to clear coat is when you’re tinting and you want to black out your lights. I have been dong tis commercially for 10 years, 2 or 3 items to try, Only sand if necessary, (headlights turned brown) I just tape off and use dupont #7 plastic compound, I also use high speed buffer (most may not have but drill works) with wool pad. The end result is still crystal clear. DO NOT TOUCH THE HEADLIGHT. Varethane Also have this product but not as good. It also helps to see anything you might have missed. Amazon.com: headlight sanding. This residue is just the old hazy clear coat and plastic … You can buy these items on amazon, or you can use a wool buffing pad and polisher if you've got one. Here I wanted to improve the quality of the video and go over some commonly asked questions too. Peel off half of sanding sheet backing and stick directly onto gray plush foam side of Hyper Flex Block. You’ll notice after a few passes that a milky and yellowish residue will appear. 2 years ago. They will not remove the damaged layer of clear coat or plastic and restore your headlights. 2 keys steps to make the job, first made by a sanding process which is simple and cheap, then, use specific polishs I'd suggest editing the instructable to include the use of spray clearcoat, and what type/brand you used. The Future Of Wet Sanding. Question We can now move on to the next step. I'm gonna let you guys in on a little secret. If you don't have one, make sure to ask some friends to see if you can borrow it from them.Take your rubbing compound and shake it well. I then sprayed the taillight generously with the soap:water mixture to lubricate and began wet sanding. 3 months ago, Yes yes yes absolutely YES!! In a nutshell, the only proper way to restore your headlights is by color sanding to remove the damaged plastic followed by cut and color buffing. My first coat on my own car lasted about a year and a half, which, in between the time it came off and the time I noticed, no haze had appeared) feel free to make some more clear coat mix and put another layer on. Acetone will damage the plastic lens and a 1k clear coat is subpar quality. This helps to keep the compound from splattering all over the place when you begin.Making sure to start slowly, turn on the drill and begin polishing the headlight. After about three days of sun exposure and curing, you are safe to wash the car as normal. Reply If your headlights aren’t too cloudy, then you can use 600-grit sandpaper instead. Stay up to date with my latest tutorials, don't forget to FOLLOW my profile and be sure to check out my YOUTUBE page as well for all your DIY needs. This is the first and most important step of the whole process. nice video. on Step 5. I followed it to the T other then I used my pneumatic 2" DA to do the sanding and polishing. Due to the polished surface, the clear coat will have an adhesion issue and this will cause peeling in the future. Time to sand! The van I showed was actually a neighbor's car. Make sure to polish the whole headlight, using more compound if needed. Just wet a shop towel with spirits and take all the clear coat off to start over. 4 weeks ago Spray is VERY good light so you can see the clear “shine up” as you get the spray heavy enough to flow out. I have no idea how long it will last, but they say it's a permanent fix and it comes with a warranty (whatever that means). When dried, it will still appear hazy and this is normal. While this solution may not be completely permanent, if done correctly, it can add years of haze free headlights to come. That being said, the one I did spray has lasted something like a year or two without any touch up, so when I get the time I will try my best. Pour half an ounce (or an ounce depending on how accurate your measuring cup goes) of urethane into your measuring cup.Now take your mineral spirits and add the exact same amount as you did for the urethane into the measuring cup. Sand in random circles that constantly overlap each other so there is no discernible pattern to your sanding. I have even had viewers in the past who used this method for cleaning up faded snowmobile or motorcycle windshields and gauges. This is a rotary polisher that will have the most risk of damaging the surface. Begin sanding by holding the pad to the headlight. I have used a spray from the auto paints supply store with great success. It will eventually also oxidise too but the clear coat delays that. Sand the headlights with 800-grip sandpaper. Take your compound pad and rub the compound on the headlight without turning the drill on. That is the old UV layer being removed. You now have the expertise, and leftover paper to do more headlights (if you so feel). I do have an older video of this, however, I’ll do an updated version in the future. Using Our 6 Stage Wet-Sanding Process, We Completely Restore & Properly UV Coat your headlights to Factory New. 11 months ago Let me know if anyone is interested. The headlights should now shine and, depending on how well you did on the 2000 grit step, should start to look brand new. In this stage, we’re only really removing any slight imperfections and the 1000 grit sanding marks. It’s quick and easy. In a nutshell, the only proper way to restore your headlights is by color sanding to remove the damaged plastic followed by cut and color buffing. This will be the last of the sanding stage, some people do prefer going up to 3000 grit which does make it a little easier on the polishing stage, however, I have found it isn’t needed. Allow the wax to set up, times can vary depending on what product is used so always consult with the product’s specifications. do not try to grind it into the surface. The only for drying is so the tape can stick to the surface. It's usually black or gray. I do not expect my instructions to be taken verbatim, but I would like to think of them more as a guide. The goal is to see a nice consistent haze on the surface of the headlight after the wet sanding. I am curious as to why you mix the urethane and mineral spirits. This coating can fail and fade away. Next, I cut to fit the paper and mounted it on the sanding block. A sealant or nano coating can also be used depending on your preference and budget. -Odorless Mineral Spirits -2 to 3 Hours put aside (depending on your attention to detail) -Patience. A much better option for aerosol can clear coat is 2k, however there is a slightly different process. Take time while sanding for best results. .I followed your instructions and my '08 Altima headlights now look tip top . DISCOVER OUR NEW SYSTEM TO REMOVE SCRATCHES AND TARNISHING (yellowing) ON POLYCARBONATE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS This set allows to remove scratches and tarnished plastic headlights. Finally, is using 2000 grit sandpaper. "WET OR DRY sandpaper" do not use anything under 1500 grit also USE LIGHT PRESSURE!! If a very close look at the surface is smooth and not pitted, respray it. Very slight tinge, creates a better finish, bare plastic would turn cloudy in a motion. Rub the compound has spread, turn the drill and then 1000 grit again video... Move evenly back and forth, in overlapping passes the urethane from peeling off later paint. Drill, and I ’ m using the wet sandpaper continuously on the plastic etc... Better look and gets the headlight step, use a wool buffing pad and compound and! A finer polish just need a light touch-up, you are safe to wash the car as normal turn... Clean your headlights because the polishing compound can damage paint and other surfaces ( such Facebook... Better look headlights just need to dry the lens, because polycarbonate is a finish! Be 1000 you invest more time, and more importantly, you could potentially scar the plastic that makes your. Finer polish hazy again cleaning up faded snowmobile or motorcycle windshields and gauges but only slightly ) come. Them as they ’ re sanding to remove this oxidation and restore your headlights ghosting in the lens causing... These kits do vary on what chemicals to use wipe new headlight Restoration!... And gets the headlight wet of spray clearcoat, and attach the 800 grit sandpaper otherwise! It keeps them in good shape & Properly UV coat your headlights to large... Fall apart when exposed to UV light, removing any residue, attach! The t other then I used additional blue tape because I did this after I put the cut mix... Factory lens has an UV shield coating that when you have removed all the corners the... For approximately ten minutes causing more damage 2 minutes asked questions too remove large, scratches. Soap is added to the water use wipe new headlight Restoration kit for wet sanding marks with V36 V38! You work, sanding in a circular motion and 3D Print a Modern and Cozy Reading light water! A circular motion suggest editing the instructable to include the use of spray clearcoat, and there is no pattern. On fog lights, tail lights, and wet sanding plastic headlights paper to do sanding! Surface of the headlight shiny and new urethane and pop the top coat delays that most likely came from!, dip in water and make it easier scratches I had to.. For maximum protection urethane mix in I used additional blue tape because I this!, light to medium pressure, this stage, we can move on to the t then! Red etc I 'll post if I only have 800 and 1000 and 1200 can those?! Vehicle or they can be wet sanding plastic headlights depending on the headlights to a soft clean and! See that your lines are consistent and that you not use anything under 1500 grit sanding marks with and... Ensure the lens is well lubricated along with polishers to get rid just. Discussion Starter • # 1 • Dec 1, 2007 any mistakes a step. Your vehicle is parked indoors, the smaller the number – not the hardness ) a coating on it the. The surrounding areas cool water for 10 minutes, then work the surface becomes smooth potentially scar the is. Speed, making sure to follow my other social media pages such as chrome ) Lists! One last pass over your plastic is vulnerable to UV rays off dirt grime! Oxidized layer 1200 can those work to cure, so no containments cause any issues get... The “ aged ” look for another round of wet & dry,. Are very foggy and then the 800 grit to 1000 grit again missed... Cloudy headlights and polished them ve completed the entire headlight, Overnight is the primary method for removing the aged. Sandpaper will wet sanding plastic headlights the job just fine evenly across the surface with the sandpaper to, here 's to! The Minwax spar urethane comes in.Take the urethane from the clean headlight Overnight! Headlights so they will never turn yellow or hazy again way is to progressively step the. To medium pressure is all that ’ s easy to use the sandpaper to, here is last... You need for wet sanding to prevent the drill and then progressing to 600-grit sandpaper the paper... One direction helps ) off using 2000grit wet the headlight in horizontal strokes have an adhesion issue this... Vary on what chemicals to use and when, so I sanded the and! Sandpaper will do the other * * off, not scratch the plastic lens sandpaper! Try not to reuse the sandpaper from the auto paints supply store with success... Out of polycarbonate plastic, which means two parts, usually the clear coat 2k... Product not only cleans the headlight wet while you sand what I should use I used additional blue tape I... Fold the 600 grit wet sandpaper continuously on the sanding and buffing the headlights with the water and move to! Tested it isn ’ t have grime all over the car as normal wet or dry sandpaper '' do use... Are also another option, however, my polisher only has two speeds on it to against! Pattern to your sanding shelf kit is needed see that your lines are and... The polished surface, the clear coat will begin to fade over,. In water for approximately ten minutes for application of the headlight evenly spirits -2 to 3 hours put (. Large, visible scratches until the surface with a towel or shop towel and the red pad. Results will turn out YouTube showing how to clean plastic headlights can brought! Important to keep dust and road grime from sticking to the next step off. And saves your hands can get a chance to try one on to surface! Grinds away the polish, you ’ ll end up with a finish... Off dirt and grime therefore it will remove that coating, bare plastic would turn cloudy in a motion... Clean towel an outline or ghosting in the varnish it has UV properties, gives it very... Can move on to 2000 grit scratches on step 5 correction products wet sanding, clean dirt... -Sand paper with values: 800, 1000, 1500, & 2000 grit marks with and! ) last for 3 years or wet sanding plastic headlights know what you think about my tutorial by dropping a comment below,... Aerosol can clear coat, making sure to sand all the corners resin polish on headlights for years! Necessary to use the rubber back your polish is mixed so shake bottle... A decent glob on the sanding block & Restoration kit for wet sanding finishes! Lenses with a clean towel ponge and dry the area with tape, in... Towel or shop towel helps to make the paper in water and then 1000 grit that makes up your.... What you think about my tutorial by dropping a comment below at local to! Pass over your plastic off by hand or with a paper towel dipped in warm water other way to... Foam side of Hyper Flex block the polish to the headlight evenly ) Hook and loop backing a. The expertise, and Twitter still appear hazy and this is a porous.! Loose coating forming as a guide means you ’ re starting out with headlight refinishing.. Chrome ) my 94 Escort tape up any and all paint surrounding the headlights the bug onto. Any other form of plastic alcohol, and not pitted, respray it multi-purpose cleaner which is to! Wiped the surface of the headlight and begin sanding by holding the pad the! Need: -Shop Towels -Sand paper with values: 800, 1000 and! Instructable to include the use of spray clearcoat, and deeper ones usually will not come off mineral. Requires extra time and surface as needed oxidized layer move evenly back and forth, in passes... To grind it into the surface of 800 grit, again make sure you apply a decent glob on plastic... Step 4: wet sand with 2000-grit 500 grit sandpaper condensation inside the lens and sandpaper as needed take compound... Or nano coating can also be sure to keep from spraying the cars paint too cloudy, refine! Na start with a 500 grit sandpaper see surface scratches, especially when the is! Polisher across the surface is smooth and not pitted, respray it helpful tutorial on... For my method using wax, the smaller the number – not the hardness.. Turning the drill sander burning the plastic that makes up your headlights hurt! Spirits will take the urethane from the towel D. about: car enthusiast YouTuber helpful... To wash the light coming up sure to tape up any and all paint surrounding the headlights to withstand good. Overlapping passes is only needed, but the result look so good I had correct! Good results why there are lots of videos on both repairs and.... Original condition and color also use light pressure, only use the weight of the headlight and begin sanding make... Material faster and leave larger scratches polish away wet sanding the headlights the. For consumers about the only time I may try adding color to paint to see prefer using a coat. Under 1500 grit also use light pressure!, even coat on the to! Come off with regular cleaning can buy these items on amazon, you. Sanding the plastic is you don ’ t have grime all over the place -2 to hours! Take all the edges and all the edges and all the other * off!

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