Problem restoring headlights - Any advice.

I bought some headlights from the junkyard in hopes of BHLM and refinishing the lens.

Everything is going well until I sand down the lenses, and now they have all these tiny sand marks. They are not clear lenses any more, they are kinda cloudy and look like they have a film over them.

I was using a hand restoration kit. but the polish step ain't worth a shit. Now the lense I was trying to fix looks worse than the one I'm about to do.

Any thoughts? maybe get a different compound?

Sucks cause my BHLM will be complete but the lenses aren't crystal clear.

 

I used the 3M "headlight restoration kit" on my mom's Jeep Grand Cherokee. It came with an attachment for a power drill, several different grits of sandpaper and polish. You might just need an intermediate grade of sandpaper between what you've used and the actual polish, but the 3M kit was conveinent and did a good job for me. I think it was 25bucks at NAPA and probably could have done the job twice if the lights wern't too trashed.

 

You'll need a finer grain sandpaper. Try 1000 to 2000 grit, then a medium polish. You should be able to finish it off with a plastic polish from there. Any automotive grade mediums will do.

 

Wet sand 1000, then Wet sand 1500, and then wet sand 2000 grit.

Then polish.

 

I used the 2500 paper last - but the polish provided didn't get the sand scratches out. Maybe the kind I bought was a pos.

I guess I'll have to finish the BHLM and then worry about the lenses.

 

Do you have a buffer? Get a FOAM pad for it and use a medium or light polish. That will take care of it very quickly, but still safely. Just don't run the pad too fast, you'll risk heating the plastic and melting it.

 

x2 on the buffer or power drill attachment. If you're doing the polish by hand I can see how you would quit long before you see results.

 

thanks guys,

unfortunately I don't have a buffer, kinda bummed.... f the superbowl

 

Sometimes depdending on which restor kit you got, non abrasive toothpaste works better then whats provided in the kit. My $.02, but try a power tool buff vs hand.

 

going to try this, thanks! I can't get a buffer today

 

NP, but if your doing it by hand just realize that its going to take a lot longer to get what you want. So just take your time and eventually after another wet sand of some high grit and a LONGGG time buffing/polishing by hand you'll get what ya want. GL.

 

Aside from further wetsanding (2500k should be enough), and more polishing, the only other thing I could recommend would be to try a different kit. You're in TX, and so is this company that I've used on a lot of headlight restorations in the past. Look up uglyheadlights.com. Its a similar process to what you're doing. It involves a 3 step wetsanding w/ lube, cleaner and final glaze. The glaze fills in the minor scratches and also acts as your uv protection. I think the kit is like 30 bux, and you could get enough to do a small set of lenses after the headlights too. I'll try to find a before after pic of a set or two I've done in the past.

 

BEFORE:


AFTERS:

 

looks good, sorry I can't get any pics of mine. I'm at my parents and don't have my camera

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today I'm going to seal up the headlights and then look for another kit and a buffer when I get back to austin. I feel a bit better knowing it was not a total fail. I just have to be patient

 

After you wet sand them follow up with a Mequires cleaner wax and buff them out. Works like a charm. CLEAR!

 

Problem solved I live in Austin and I have a buffer and detailing experience PM me and I can help you out. I will get them looking new in no time!

 

x2 it is wayy better than anything on the market

 

hell yes rep for you sir!

 

nice work

 

What else have you tried to make that claim?