best da/polisher for lens corrections?

[Chad215]

Hi,

Just wondering what everyone's favorite model da/polished is for doing headlight lens corrections?
Thanks,

Chad

 

[Kyle_Elantra]

I've used a GG 3" with success, but I generally use the HF DA. Any DA (PC, GG 6", Rupes Mini/Duetto) that can take a 3" backing plate works great.

One of the 3m kits comes with a backing plate for a drill, that works really great - especially the compounding step. But I used a cheap drill that was bad at maintaining speed below full throttle and it took me longer than with a DA.

Just make sure you use a foam interface between the pad and sand paper when sanding.

Edit:
I use the purple foamed wool pad for the compounding step and it gets out 3,000 grit marks in seconds. Microfiber pads work too. For polishing it's up to you.

 

[Firehouse Mike]

I recently went to a Ryobi right angle cordless drill

Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+ 3/8 in. Right Angle Drill (Tool Only)-P241 - The Home Depot

With the Megs 3" drill adapter plate, it acts like a mini rotary ( 1100 rpm ). Works great for sanding or cutting with M105 on the lens. I switch over to a impact drill for higher speed for the finial polish.

Ryobi 18-Volt One+ Impact Driver (Tool-Only)-P236 - The Home Depot

Seems to be a great system so far, and are much easier to handle when working on lenses that have several angles / weird contours.

Mike

 

[VISITOR]

if you don't already have a DA, pick up a GG6 and both the DA 3.5" (for use with 4" pads) and 5" (for use with 5.5" pads) backing plates which will allow you to work on just about every inch of your vehicle...

Griots Garage 6 Inch Random Orbital Polisher

3.5" Dual Action Flexible Backing Plate- porter cable 7424XP hook and loop backing plate 3.5 inch.

lake country 5 inch backing plate, 5 inch backin plate, 5 inch hook and loop backing plate

 

[Mike Honcho]

After getting the above stuff, what products do y'all generally use? M105 and M205?

 

[Ryan509]

I personally like menzerna products as they finish out amazingly for the price and a little goes a long way with them. Plus FG400 can be used as a 1 step if you wanted. Then all you have to do is seal.

I personally use Menzerna FG400 & SF4000 then topped with a sealant. But Will be switching to coatings soon

 

[mc2hill]

I personally like menzerna products as they finish out amazingly for the price and a little goes a long way with them. Plus FG400 can be used as a 1 step if you wanted. Then all you have to do is seal.

I personally use Menzerna FG400 & SF4000 then topped with a sealant. But Will be switching to coatings soon

I have recently switched from M105 to FG400 too. Much less dust.
I use a corded drill for the compound and the polish.

 

[Mike Honcho]

I personally like menzerna products as they finish out amazingly for the price and a little goes a long way with them. Plus FG400 can be used as a 1 step if you wanted. Then all you have to do is seal.

I personally use Menzerna FG400 & SF4000 then topped with a sealant. But Will be switching to coatings soon

Which sealant/coating do you use?

 

[Ryan509]

currently just using BF wet diamond. But will be switching to the new blackfire coating soon

 

[Chad215]

Currently I have a gg6 w/3,5&6" backing plates and a Rupes 15 w/5" mequiars microfiber cutting pads and a handful of different foam pads. For polished I have some menzerna fg400 and sonax perfect finish. For sealant I was thinking optilens.
I could correct my lenses with this combination but I think I will be doing a friends lenses that are pretty cloudy. I'll use the gg6 with 3" backing plate.
Do you all make 3" circular sanding discs? Or can you buy pre cut discs in 1,2,3000 grit ?
If I upgraded the gg6 would you all go with flex pe8 or the Rupes 75?
Chad

 

[VISITOR]

I'll use the gg6 with 3" backing plate.
Do you all make 3" circular sanding discs? Or can you buy pre cut discs in 1,2,3000 grit ?

these are the same sanding discs that come in their heavy duty two-step headlight restoration kit...

Meguiars Unigrit Finishing Discs, paint finishing discs, Meguiars finishing grit discs

or you can buy some sanding papers and do it by hand...

Meguiars Unigrit Sand Papers Sheets, wet-sanding papers, remove orange peel, finishing papers

 

[Chad215]

these are the same sanding discs that come in their heavy duty two-step headlight restoration kit...

Meguiars Unigrit Finishing Discs, paint finishing discs, Meguiars finishing grit discs

or you can buy some sanding papers and do it by hand...

Meguiars Unigrit Sand Papers Sheets, wet-sanding papers, remove orange peel, finishing papers

I did a search and came up with the 3M discs. If I understood it right you need to add a foam spacer to those. These look like they have the foam spacer and are cheeper. Is that correct?
Thanks for the link
Chad

 

[Kyle_Elantra]

I use Meguiars 3" discs with their foam interface pad.

I have 320, 500, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, and 3000. I typically do 3 steps starting at 800 and step up to 500 or 320 if it's really bad.

I do use M105 and M205 most of the time. But any compound and polish combination will work.

I use a paint sealant for most customers, and Opti-Lens for those that choose to upgrade.

If they yellow before 6 months I polish it for free, and I give 2 year guarantee with the coating. But after initially sanding it takes about 5 minutes to clear up if they yellow. If it's outside of my warranty I charge $25 to polish and discount the re-coating.

 

[VISITOR]

I did a search and came up with the 3M discs. If I understood it right you need to add a foam spacer to those. These look like they have the foam spacer and are cheeper. Is that correct?
Thanks for the link
Chad

Meguiars Unigrit 3 Inch Foam Interface Pad, foam backup pad, sanding disc interface

 

[Chad215]

How much do you all usually get for a headlight lens correction? Price range?

 

[RedXray]

I just grab the rotary with a wool pad and M105. Knocks out a pair of headlights lightning quick.

Hammered Outback (headlight 50/50)

 

[asianisafish]

Headlight lens correction? Your hand.

 

[Kyle_Elantra]

I usually charge $50 for the first light, then $25 for each additional. That's with sanding. If they're just yellow it's around half.

Fog lights (if they're small) I'll usually do $15. If they get the tail lights done I do the third brake light for free if it's external. They're usually just a small strip.

That comes with the sealant, and I charge extra for the opti-lens. That's also a "by lens" price, as they usually want just the front coated.

I don't do many paint corrections up here, maybe 25 total last year. About every other weekend I'll get one. But I do a LOT of headlights.

Rear lenses

 

[ray6]

Best is GG 3" or Metabo 3.25". Both are random orbit and variable speed. Both can be used constantly without overheating and are less than 250 watts.

Stay away from anything cordless if you can. They get hot and batteries are expensive. They're not built for constant use.

Stay away from straight drills. Cheap, but easy to loose control and damage paint.

 

[ray6]

Part time or as a business?