Just ordered the Meguiars Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration kit, question...

Mark do you mean really faded and dull ?? I still think the best method is too wet sand them from 800 up too 2500 or 3000 then seal them IMO .
 
Harleyguy said:
Mark do you mean really faded and dull ?? I still think the best method is too wet sand them from 800 up too 2500 or 3000 then seal them IMO .
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Yes, Adam. That's what I mean. The kit comes with 1000 and 3000 sanding discs. I think it should be able to handle pretty bad headlights. If not, I'll try the 800 discs then work up to 1500 or 3000, or all three, then seal.
 
i wonder what a heavy cutting compound would do for that. or maybe that grade of plastic is too weak for heavy cutting?
 
fabiolas4 said:
i wonder what a heavy cutting compound would do for that. or maybe that grade of plastic is too weak for heavy cutting?
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I was told that PlastX with the special drill pad adapter(both included in the kit) will easily remove 3000 grit sanding marks, so I will try that. Many people use M105 on plastic lenses, so it shouldn't be a problem if you want to.
 
Hey Mark we have a sublet guy that comes in with 3" pads and uses a drill to fix the headlights to be honest he only uses two grits 2500/3000 and it just an ok job. Before he came in we had another company do them they wet sanded it by hand and used the 800 up too 3000 then buffed that out came out really nice . Problem was he took twice as long and charged more you know how that goes you get what you may for .
Maybe wet sand by hand 800/1000 then use the 3' pads on the drill to finish off the headlights wet sand paper isn't that costly and might be worth the try .
 
Mark, I'd suggest you pick up some 800 grit discs separately, and go from 800 to 1000 to 3000. You'll be in good shape.

The "special drill attachment" that removes 3000 grit is basically just a smaller version of the yellow solo wool pad.
 
My experience with is....If you want brand new looking headlights, you will have to do a few more steps than is included. If you goal is to take bad headlights to 85-90, the kit is perfect and for most people who let their headlights get bad in the first place, this kit is more than likely to satisfy those clients!
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
Mark, I'd suggest you pick up some 800 grit discs separately, and go from 800 to 1000 to 3000. You'll be in good shape.

The "special drill attachment" that removes 3000 grit is basically just a smaller version of the yellow solo wool pad.
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Thanks, Charlie.

Would it be better to go from 800 to 1500 to 3000. Or, 800 to 1000 to 3000 is just as good?
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
Thanks, Charlie.

Would it be better to go from 800 to 1500 to 3000. Or, 800 to 1000 to 3000 is just as good?
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I've never had a problem going 800->1000->3000, and since you'll already have the finishing discs on hand I don't see any reason not to roll with it that way :props:
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
I've never had a problem going 800->1000->3000, and since you'll already have the finishing discs on hand I don't see any reason not to roll with it that way :props:
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The kit comes with 1000 and 3000, but I bought some extras as well. I'll pick up some 800 next time. :dblthumb2:
 
I did a few sets today using 500-800-1500-3000-Polish. I also have 240g & even 180g on hand for really tough ones. Fortunately they are rare. Lights that are not so bad compound then polish usually works fine. I bring the camera to take pics, now I just have to remember to actually do it. :)
 
BorisC said:
I did a few sets today using 500-800-1500-3000-Polish. I also have 240g & even 180g on hand for really tough ones. Fortunately they are rare. Lights that are not so bad compound then polish usually works fine. I bring the camera to take pics, now I just have to remember to actually do it. :)
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How do you determine what grit to start with?
 
I just did a lense restoration on my car and went from 1k-2k-2.5k-3k wet sanding by hand, and followed up with M105/M205 after and the lenses look like new.
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
How do you determine what grit to start with?
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If I'm sanding I use the 500-800-1.5k-3k as a standard. That usually takes care of everything for me.

Of course it's not set in stone. Some guys start w/ 320 or like SRTSean started w/ 1k and then used M105/205.
 
Are you sealing with the headlight sealant in the kit? If so, please give some feedback on that little bottle. I would rather buy a can of UV coating than keep buying the headlight resto kits just for that little bottle of sealant!
 
rwright said:
Are you sealing with the headlight sealant in the kit? If so, please give some feedback on that little bottle. I would rather buy a can of UV coating than keep buying the headlight resto kits just for that little bottle of sealant!
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I can't say as I'm convinced the headlight sealant is much different than any other regular sealant in terms of durability... I've been getting in the habit of using Opti-Coat lately, time will tell in both cases how things really hold up.
 
I picked up some 500 and 800 Meg's unigrit sanding discs. Should I dry sand with these grits when sanding headlights, or still damp sand? What about 1500 and 3000?
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
I picked up some 500 and 800 Meg's unigrit sanding discs. Should I dry sand with these grits when sanding headlights, or still damp sand? What about 1500 and 3000?
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In the Meguiar's instructions that come with their professional headlight restoration kit it advises to dry sand with 500 & 800 and then to damp sand with 1000 and 3000 finishing discs.
 
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