First headlight restoration.

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Mattas25

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Any and all feed back is welcome.
Here are the before pics. 2010 Toyota Corolla.
View attachment 33335View attachment 33336
I started with some 800 grit sand paper to get rid of the depleted film, smoothed it more with some 2000 grit, then hit it with Meg's 105 cutting compound on the pc7424xp, and lastly finished up with the Meg's 205 polish. Here's the finished product:
View attachment 33337View attachment 33338
 
Anyone have any tips on getting into the deep set nooks with a da polisher? Do I just have to hand compound/polish it?
 
Nice work, they look great now. I'm not sure what you mean by "nooks" but if you can't remove the headlights to work on them, there will be some spots you will have to do by hand.
 
If tilting or nudging your DA in there won't get it all (assuming you have a 4 in pads), take the pad off the DA and rub vigorously for a few seconds. Repeat with the polishing pad. If you wet-sanded correctly you shouldn't have any marks left.
 
Don M said:
Nice work, they look great now. I'm not sure what you mean by "nooks" but if you can't remove the headlights to work on them, there will be some spots you will have to do by hand.
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By nooks I mean the lower corner for the headlight where it's recessed into the bumper, but you answered my question. Thanks!
 
g35_coupe said:
If tilting or nudging your DA in there won't get it all (assuming you have a 4 in pads), take the pad off the DA and rub vigorously for a few seconds. Repeat with the polishing pad. If you wet-sanded correctly you shouldn't have any marks left.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the advise, I'll have to try that next time!
 
Mattas25 said:
I started with some 800 grit sand paper to get rid of the depleted film, smoothed it more with some 2000 grit, then hit it with Meg's 105 cutting compound on the pc7424xp, and lastly finished up with the Meg's 205 polish.
Click to expand...

So the sanding was done by hand?
 
You need a layer or 2 of thin clear coat to keep that new shiny look.
 
Danube said:
You need a layer or 2 of thin clear coat to keep that new shiny look.
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Appreciate the advise! It's on it's way from ag. I grabbed Wolfgang plastik sealant. Ever used it/have any thoughts on it?
 
Nope, but you can use any sealant/wax on the lights.
 
You sanded the factory seal by hand how long did it take. All the bad seals I have done would take forever to do by hand.It still takes some time with 220 grit and a 3" griot da buffer then400 grit 800 grit 1000 grit 2000 grit 3000 grit then V32/V34/V36/V38 then JetSeal for UV Blocker. If some one has any help to save time and still do a good job I am open for help.
 
rbos said:
You sanded the factory seal by hand how long did it take. All the bad seals I have done would take forever to do by hand.It still takes some time with 220 grit and a 3" griot da buffer then400 grit 800 grit 1000 grit 2000 grit 3000 grit then V32/V34/V36/V38 then JetSeal for UV Blocker. If some one has any help to save time and still do a good job I am open for help.
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I was able to do both headlights in about an hour. 220 grit seems kinda rough, but I haven't had too much experience to base it off of. I just did and 800, then 2000 grit and then let the DA do the rest of the work.
 
It's interesting you started with such an aggressive cut. I use uni grit Velcro backed pads (3"): start with wet 1000 grit then move to wet 3000 grit on a Meguires Velcro hand grip. Then polish off with Menzerna compound. IPA the lens then apply OptiLens. Looks great and takes more than 25-30min start to finish.

I think sometimes folks feel the need to take off too much material from the lens. I like to take as little as possible to regain to original look and clarity.
 
Has anyone had the seal flaking some already gone and you have to remove all of it because it will not blend. Then what.
 
Bbg18t 1000 grit will not make a dent in flak seals that I have removed. The use car lots that I clean headlights for get some realy bad lights.
 
rbos said:
Bbg18t 1000 grit will not make a dent in flak seals that I have removed. The use car lots that I clean headlights for get some realy bad lights.
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Humm. I used 1000 to remove enough clearcoat and some other crap sprayed on a few 04-05 4Runner & Tacoma headlights that was put on there who knows how long ago that was yellowed & whitened. I could feel the edge with my fingernails. What ever that crap on yours was crazy.


rbos said:
Sorry I meant. Ebg18t. Old man with fat fingers.
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I got the same problem. Lol.
 
I need to send photos of some of the real bad seals as soon as I can find out how to copy and post them.Ebg18t you would not belive some of these lenses.You can feel them with your fingers not your nails.
 
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