Headlight adventure

Capa1970

Capa1970

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About 2 weeks ago I attempted to clear up my headlights on my 1999 GS400. I was using the new Oprimum 5 1/2 cutting pads with Meg D300 and the Griot's DA. There was some improvement but not what I wanted. Today I tried a 5 1/2 yellow flat pad with D300. Again, very little improvement. I really wasn't wanting to wet sand but it looks like it might be my only option. Any suggestions?
 
Do you have any photos? I think the only reason people don't want to wet sand headlights because it will completely remove the original UV protection. Since your car is well over 10+ years, you have nothing to fear because most likely they are oxidized and needs to be sanded down to remove most of the oxidation. After your done you should always apply protection of your choice.
 
What's kind of weird is that on one side the two headlights are quite clear but on the other side they are cloudy. I bought the car about 3 years ago and don't know if those are the original or what. But I find it very odd that there is such a distinction between the two sides?!?
 
What about uploading some photos? I can say that the two headlights are clear on vertical surface, and faded in horizontal ones. Am i right? :)
 
Capa1970 said:
What's kind of weird is that on one side the two headlights are quite clear but on the other side they are cloudy. I bought the car about 3 years ago and don't know if those are the original or what. But I find it very odd that there is such a distinction between the two sides?!?
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Could be how the original owner parked the car, maybe the better ones didn't get so much sun, or more likely they were replaced due to an accident. I doubt you're going to get much joy without wetsanding.
 
I will try to upload some pictures but I have never done this on the forum. Can it be done via iPhone 4 or iPad 2 and how?
 
As mentioned earlier, I used the new Optimum 5 in mf pads on speed 5.5 on my Griot's followed by the tangerine hydro tech pads with DG 501. I wasnt happy with the results Two weeks later I decided to try a flat yellow pad with D300 (same product used with mf pad). Again, very little improvement. I am reluctant to wetsand but is that my only option? Will a dedicated headlight kit do better than what I have already done?
 
Capa1970 said:
As mentioned earlier, I used the new Optimum 5 in mf pads on speed 5.5 on my Griot's followed by the tangerine hydro tech pads with DG 501. I wasnt happy with the results Two weeks later I decided to try a flat yellow pad with D300 (same product used with mf pad). Again, very little improvement. I am reluctant to wetsand but is that my only option? Will a dedicated headlight kit do better than what I have already done?
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Anyone?
 
Will a headlight kit get the job done for me or should I just go straight to wet sanding?
 
I have done them with wool pads but if they are really bad I would wet sand with 1500,2000 grit (I think) and then compound with a wool pad pretty much, just make sure you don't let it get too hot.
 
I've never used a wool pad but I assume that it has more cut than the microfiber pads that I used. I knew that wool pads are common with rotaries but I've never seen one for a DA. I guess I will try wetsanding. I actually saw a wet sanding kit in the automotive section at a Walmart---I may try that one.
 
Dude, you need to get some good auto sandpaper like they sell here or at a body-shop supply store. You need the controlled grit paper, and probably 1500, 2000, 2500, and 3000. Then you can knock the sand marks right out with your MF pad.

I can't tell from the pics, but if you don't have any coating residue, and it's just yellowing, it should be easy. It's usually more of a pain if the coating is only partially oxidized off, because what's left is a lot harder to sand than the lens material.
 
Capa1970 said:
As mentioned earlier, I used the new Optimum 5 in mf pads on speed 5.5 on my Griot's followed by the tangerine hydro tech pads with DG 501. I wasnt happy with the results Two weeks later I decided to try a flat yellow pad with D300 (same product used with mf pad). Again, very little improvement. I am reluctant to wetsand but is that my only option? Will a dedicated headlight kit do better than what I have already done?
Click to expand...

"The Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction System is designed for a dual action polisher! While it won’t replace Meguiars 105 and 205 for the removal of wet sanding scratches, this system will work wonders on swirls, many scratches, acid rain spots, and other mild to moderate defects on factory paint. The best part is, it’s easy! The Meguiars DA Microfiber System uses the latest Super-micro abrasive technology to give you a clean, efficient user experience."

It says nothing about removing sanding scratches and only mentions paint defects..so maybe you should progressivly sand to higher grits to make it easier or change the product you are using, even a regular compound or rubbing compound will most likely help you out, and the higher grit you go on the sandpaper the easier to remove the marks. For me 2,000 is good enough because of the product I use. there are also alot of videos on youtube that can help you out.
 
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