Haven't restored many headlights, but....

Hey Mark,

What a huge difference!

I'm always amazed at how great these lenses come out after a little work and the right products....:props:
 
Great job! I need to start studying on how to do this stuff!!
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
this pair came out pretty good! :dblthumb2:

400 grit autonet
600 grit auotnet
800 grit autonet
1000 grit abralon
2000 grit abralon
3000 grit abralon
M101/LC hybrid orange
M205/LC hybrid white
Opti-Coat

light4.jpg
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CEE DOG said:
Very nice Mark!! Look gorgeous! I bet you could skip a couple grades of paper there but you certainly can't make them look any better than that!
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07 z-oh-6 said:
Thanks guys!

C, I think you're right. :props: I haven't done many headlights, so I played it conservative. Which grits do you think I could have skipped?
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Excellent work - Look Brand New! :props: I use a lot of the same grit, but I'd say you could've probably skipped 400 & 800 (600 is pretty agressive). It may all depend on the paper being used though. The final results are what matter and you nailed it.
 
Those are some good looking headlights!! Hmm, pretty sure I've used that line before but in a much different setting ;)

I really think exterior lenses, headlights specifically, really need to look like that for a detail project to be complete. Honestly, put all sorts of time and effort into the paint and I would still only see nasty faded headlights if I passed it on the street. That makes for a pretty obvious upsell I guess.

Same goes for windows - I'm never happy with a detail job unless the windows are perfect because it always seems to be the first thing I notice.

BTW, I agree with backing off on the more aggressive grit papers. I've also good results with the 3M system.
 
I get results like that using Fastbrite...

on a serious note, you used a drill Mark?

I assumed you used a rotary. wow
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
Can a rotary be used instead of a drill? Same mechanical action, right?
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It sure can. I "used" to have an adapter to use a 3" backing plate on my Makita rotary. Worked much faster since I didn't have to wait for it to cool down or change batteries like I have to do with my Milwaukee drill.

But my adapter went missing a few months ago and I haven't had time to get another.
I'll probably just get the correct backing plate, the one that screws directly onto the Makita next time.
 
CEE DOG said:
Very nice Mark!! Look gorgeous! I bet you could skip a couple grades of paper there but you certainly can't make them look any better than that!
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First class work there Mark. Once in awhile a spectacular outcome like that really makes it worth it. I would have tried starting with 800 grit on my Griot 3" in one hand and an air gun in the other. Keeping the paper clean with the compressed air WHILE I am sanding works well for me. If I am not getting satisfactory cut at 800 I will drop down to 500 or even 320 if really necessary.

A few extra minutes spent removing all of the old coating is well spent.

While I don't usually do a test spot per-say I usually stop a few seconds into each step, wipe the area and determine if I am going in the right direction..

If my PE-14 is really handy and the 3" backing is with it final polishing is quick and thorough.

Will you be able to track this car and let us know how the OptiCoat 2 holds up?

Excellent work and thanks again for sharing.
 
I'd say they came out excellent! Nice work Mark. I have done a fair number of headlights but I usually start with 600 or 800, then 1000, then usually 2000, and lastly 3000. I usually do it in 4 steps (minus the polishing). Sometimes I add 1500 in depending on the lights. Do you have an air compressor? It makes quick, quick work of headlights over hand sanding. I don't quite have what AG sells for doing headlights (the Meguiar's kit I believe), but it's very similar. At any rate, fantastic job!
 
Noob question. After sanding, can you get as good as a result polishing lights with "regular polishes" as you could with plastic polish. I see you did a great job with regular polishes, so I'm assuming special headlight kick polishes are not needed ?
 
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