fixing up headlights

Bill1234

Bill1234

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hi all, Im going to make an attempt at fixing up my half oxidized headlights. I heard that you can use mineral spirits and another chemical. Is there any other options other than this an a kit with a drill?
 
You can use polyurethane mixed with mineral spirits one to one.

Ed

:autowash: :buffing:
 
Do you have a picture? Usually you have to sand off the existing coating. Optimum is coming out with a new lens coating that would be ideal for when you're done sanding and polishing.
 
Lets just say Im a bit young. I don't want to mess things up as im currently sharing a car. I just want to make sure the headlights have the best amount of light. So how would I mix mineral spirits with the poly. Would I then apply it to the light lens with an applicator pad?
 
here is a photo if I can get it in, the car was probably washed recently. As you can see there is lighter but noticeable oxidation on the headlights. The car is 9 years old and has not has much oxidation on the lights so far
 
I've used Meguiars PlastX and worked good. Did it by hand with 3000grit.
 
so I would just buy the kit, Did you kit come with 3000 grit sand paper and the block. I have a sprayer I could use to reduce friction. I don't really know how to wetsand, is it easy?
 
I bought the bottle itself. Had sandpaper for wet sanding so I used it with the PlastX and wiped clean after. Spray and wipe dry. Worked awesome if you don't have a machine.
 
also heard that toothpaste with crystals in it works
 
Bill1234 said:
also heard that toothpaste with crystals in it works
Click to expand...

Hear that too.You can watch a video on You Tube.


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lZ96BXoT10]Headlight Lens Restore using Toothpaste! - YouTube[/video]
 
Well, if you're willing to go the toothpaste route, why not try taping off and using your da with compound, then polish. Still will have to seal afterwards though.
 
Toothpaste is an old trick for polishing acrylic, it might work on Lexan too, but it's not going to touch the factory UV coating if it's still on there, that's going to need to be sanded off.
 
So your saying that if it were to work, I should wetsand with the highest grit sand paper availible. If I were to soak home depot sand paper, I would be fine?
 
Let's back up a little. The lights look pretty good in that picture. If the factory UV coating is a little hazed, sometimes you can polish it and it will look pretty good. If the coating has failed, which means it's largely opaque, it's going to need to be sanded off. Usually that requires going down to 400 or 600 grit paper, then working your way back up, depending if you are going to use the Spar Urethane method or a sealant or coating.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Let's back up a little. The lights look pretty good in that picture. If the factory UV coating is a little hazed, sometimes you can polish it and it will look pretty good. If the coating has failed, which means it's largely opaque, it's going to need to be sanded off. Usually that requires going down to 400 or 600 grit paper, then working your way back up, depending if you are going to use the Spar Urethane method or a sealant or coating.
Click to expand...

+1
 
im going to try the the toothpaste route first. Probably the cheapest as my car has very little oxidation. I will polish and remove the oxidation and then wetsand with water and a block. Should I let the paper sit for 20 min in water and then sand slowly while spraying water to reduce friction?
 
Bill1234 said:
im going to try the the toothpaste route first. Probably the cheapest as my car has very little oxidation. I will polish and remove the oxidation and then wetsand with water and a block. Should I let the paper sit for 20 min in water and then sand slowly while spraying water to reduce friction?
Click to expand...

I'm out...have a great night.
Looking forward to your next thread :)

ps: don't forget to reseal.
 
Bill1234 said:
im going to try the the toothpaste route first. Probably the cheapest as my car has very little oxidation. I will polish and remove the oxidation and then wetsand with water and a block. Should I let the paper sit for 20 min in water and then sand slowly while spraying water to reduce friction?
Click to expand...

STOP. You wetsand before you polish...but I DON'T THINK YOU NEED TO WETSAND AFTER LOOKING AT YOUR PICTURES. Please try the toothpaste or an automotive polish before choosing a more aggressive method like sandpaper. I don't want to be responsible for you hazing the headlights on your shared car.
 
so you are saying just try the standard tooth paste method, then if that does not work I should bump it up to high grit sand paper ?
 
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