First headlight restoration.

Ebg18t said:
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.
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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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I agree with Ebg18t. I've never had to go below 1000 grit on the DA. That will remove a lot of material, enough that I've been happy everytime. Maybe I haven't dealt with some of the headlights you have rbos, but I thought I've done some pretty awful ones with the 1000.
 
Ebg18t said:
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.
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Thanks for the info, I'm sure as I fine tune my skills it will take less time. I'll try the IPA after the compound step next time.
 
Mattas25 said:
Thanks for the info, I'm sure as I fine tune my skills it will take less time. I'll try the IPA after the compound step next time.
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Keep in mind I use IPA to remove the oils from the Menzerna compound to allow the OptiLens to adhere properly. Depending on what sealant you use you might not need that step. Going forward I will probably use Carpro Eraser in place of IPA.
 
Ebg18t Nothing is on the lense . Never been care for .Remember these autos are bought auction for resale .
 
Ihaveacamaro I have a set 2006 Ford F150 head lights that I took off my truck I sanded by hand on my work bench if you stand back they look New but get real close and you will see and uneven line on the bottom1/4 of the lense it has a mirror effect . I used by hand 500-800-1000-3000 and still could not remove. That is when I study videos ask mike p. about sanding and he said use Griot 3" DA buffer I watch one guy sand with a porter cableDA and using 320-400 up, and the main thing to learn is to keeping up with the heat.
 
Rbos - you mention keeping up with the heat. Are you saying that the sanding works better warm?

I have been doing just the opposite, I keep dipping my sandpaper pads in cold water to clean them and keep everything wet. I end up with this plastic slurry dripping from the lenses.
 
No !!!!!!!! You must make sure the lense is not getting warm or hot.I use Meguiars 220 grit dry(dust storm) I do have 220 wet/dry I have 3m ,2Sand plastic blue back . It all depends on the headlight to start with wet or dry. The Meguiars sponge backing pad helps with the heat build up.
 
Mattas25 I would like to ask if you got real close to the lens what do you see? They look great from 2'. I did a set yesterday and they look almost new from 2 to 3' but get real close and you see small fractures on 50% of the lens. Can't feel them and they would not sand out.
 
What about a set of headlights that are still very clear, but pelted from 130K miles of bad highway driving. They've been peppered and feel rough to the touch.

Do you recommend 200 grit, 600 grit, 3000 grit, then polish & sealant with a hit of UV clear coat?
 
^^I would NEVER use a 200 or 600 on headlights..lowest ever is 1000. Most stuff comes out with a 2000 followed by 3000, finished with a polish.
 
I've used as low as 400 paper on really bad lights. 400-1000-1500-2000-3000 then compound, Polish, coat. Sometimes it's overkill, but they always come out awesome.
 
Luckily any headlight i've ever done, a 1000 grit did the job just fine. Too much liability using such low grit.
 
PaulG try Mirka Abralon Foam Grip Disc. use a backing foam disc. They have 500grit wet . I use 3"
 
MPBGT said:
I've used as low as 400 paper on really bad lights. 400-1000-1500-2000-3000 then compound, Polish, coat. Sometimes it's overkill, but they always come out awesome.
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Most head lights I do come back to 90% + using heavy grit and going up have not had to buy a set of head lights because of sanding. It does take some time but I like to do a good job and I hate it if it is inside the lense.
 
GenesisCoupe said:
^^I would NEVER use a 200 or 600 on headlights..lowest ever is 1000. Most stuff comes out with a 2000 followed by 3000, finished with a polish.
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How long sanding with 1000 grit when the UV seal is coming off.
 
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