URGENT!!! How to restore headlights, when the corner is too tight to fit?

EvolutionDetail

EvolutionDetail

New member
Joined
May 14, 2013
Messages
520
Reaction score
0
Alright guys, I need some URGENT suggestion here.

I am currently working on a BMW 650i headlight, however the contour of the headlight by the corner, is really small and it goes inward towards the grill. Which is impossible for me to sand that corner area with my GG 3"

So how do you sand the headlight when in a situation such as this one??

PS: Other than removing the bumper lol.
 
Agreed, grab up the variety pack of 3M wet/dry papers from a parts store. Sand wet. I'd finish to at least 3000 grit to make the polishing job easier. You can use a red block type school eraser to evenly distribute the weight from your fingers over the sand paper if necessary.

Tape off all the trim and paint around where you are working. Don't be a tight wad with the tape either, tape well past the work area. Removing a little tape residue is much easier than trying to correct plastic trim or an accidental paint burn through.
 
Question: if you are having are hard time sanding them with your Griots 3". When you do sand them as mentioned above, or depending how small the area is. (You could even just use the end of an eraser tip)

How are you planning on buffing the areas out? doing all by hand in the small areas could work, but could be tedious.

Sorry having a hard time picturing what your specifically talking about without pictures.

Either way good luck and keep us updated :)
 
I guess sand by hand is what i would have to do.
I will try that tomorrow morning and report back.

Hernandez u point out a excellent question, i was wondering the same thing.
Even if i am able to sand by hand at that small corner.
I still need to polish it to remove the sanding haze.
And i am NOT sure if polish by hand using a MF towel is good enough to remove that haze.

Honestly i think these type of luxury cars, require headlight or bumper removal to do a CORRECT job on.
 
I never polish headlights. If you sand correctly at the 3000grit mark you should not see scratch marks. Depending on the coating you use that will fill light marks.
However polishing with a MF towel and a little polish should work, your not working with a very big area. Push come to show take off the bumper.
 
Well it is possible, you would just have to shrink down your work area, seems by a lot and up to you if you think it would be worth it. I would probably take the challenge to learn something new. :D

I have never done this, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Aside from cutting your sanding papers or disks to fit the tight areas. You could even cut your cutting and polishing pads to fit the tighter areas too. The mf towels can get the job done, but with a lot of muscle. Even up to 3000 from my experience.

model_toys.jpg
 
I typically use 500 / 800 / 1000 / 3000

So i guess i won't use too rough to start with.
 
It is a 2006 650i

It looks like the pic on the bottom row , the 4th pic
Countng from left to right =)
 
Well I'll tune in and see what others have to say, but what comes to mind is the additional work that is going to go into the customers car and if the customer is willing to pay for the additional time.

Side Note:
I'm sure you know this already but just be careful when polishing or sanding the tight areas. You don't want to scuff the bumper paint, burn on chip it off. Just a friendly reminder and again good luck.

Art
 
I just removed mine. I thought for a while how I could get in there and buff and polish them, but wasn't able to think of a solution, then I just thought to myself, "I'll just remove them" (simple!!! :laughing: but keep in mind that this is my car not a customers car) ;)

I practice on a removed headlight at work (body shop) and noticed how easy it was to work on. (not saying to remove the headlights, but if done they become a breeze to work on) So that's what I did...

[ame=www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua2dr5njMiA&list=UUzOVy2WZUwu3_Sov8qe32ug]Headlight restoration - Dodge Reverse Lights and sealed with Opti Lens - YouTube[/video]


Also, yeah I could have sanded them I have 500 to 3000, but new that polishing them would bring back a significant amount of clarity. So that's what I did.
 
Yea definitely will be taping all the necessary areas.

I will let the customer know what could happen in the worst case scenario if i do perform the service. Honestly other than sanding by hand and polishing using a MF towel. I don't see any other ways around this.

Customer is just paying for a simple and basic headlight restoration.
My rates are also lower than most. So the headlight is definitely staying on
 
I have this video also, I did end up buying a 3" backing plate however.

[ame=www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecH8T63zjjg&list=UUzOVy2WZUwu3_Sov8qe32ug]Headlght Restoration - YouTube[/video]

Side Note: I bought a smaller backing plate and pads, then I just scaled down my work area. Your work area is tighter though. :props:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top