Headlight restoration didn't work

Thank you all very much for the responses.
***Here is an update at my 2nd attempt which FAILED, but hopefully this helps figuring out the issue***

Short update: FAILED!
Long update: Sorry, no pictures but I'll try to describe exactly what I did as best as I can. I used 600, 800, 1000, and 2000 - despite the "oppositions" of going lower than 800 on here (sorry). First off, this headlight is in terrible condition. It's been sitting under a tree for like a year and not operable (hence why my neighbor let me practice on it). So after sanding it down with 600, I was unfortunately still unable to get a completely smooth surface entirely. I was even more careful than yesterday, sanding it as evenly as possible using a moderate amount of force for a good amount of time. I was able to remove the rough spots on bottom of the headlights but the top part which was in a worse condition, there were still significant amount of roughness when I felt it with my fingers. Anyhow, I did not want to go any lower grit to damage it so I just did it as best I could and continued (I wanted to see if I could at least get the clear half to work so then I know what kind of mistake I was making for the other half later on). Ok so... after basically only being able to get bottom part of the headlight to rid of roughness, I continued on with 800, 1000, and 2000. It looked great at this point and headlight cleared up without any haze (both parts where it felt rough and where it was smooth) but something wasn't right. When the water on it dried up, headlight near smooth area remained clear, but any other area that was anywhere near the rough surfaces became hazy again. In other words, it didn't have an even sanding. It was just dirty looking with spots everywhere and not the even cloudiness that looks like it will clear right up when you polish it. I didn't have a good feeling when going to polish it and I didn't get the results neither. Same parts remained just as cloudy after polishing.

I was so frustrated after this didn't work. I just wanted to try it despite probably damaging the headlight. I sanded it with 400 and up - the rough spots went away finally, but when I was finished, it went cloudy again when the water dried up.
 
You should probably stop sanding it to avoid ruining it. Do you have anyone in your area you can see for advice. I know if you dont rinse of and clean of the water from wetsanding it will dry cloudy... are you sure your not going that? Also after you sand it even with the 2000 you need to hit it with compound to remove those swirls or it will be cloudy.
 
I just realized this too, it sounds like you are expecting the sand paper to make the lens clear? Is that right? You will have "sanding marks" no matter what grit sand paper you use. You need to polish those out after the sanding steps. Hope this helps and you figure it out.
 
can I ask why you did not take any pictures?????? seriously cant ask for help if you dont show us. :Picture:
 
I am surprised so many dont go below 1000 Grit.....

I have done about 100 Sets of lights so far, ALWAYS used 500,800,1000,3000 with my GG 3"

And i am sanding with the 500 LONGEST usually, to remove all the oxidiation from the headlights. And i have been considering stocking some 320 to cut even faster.
 
EvolutionDetail said:
I am surprised so many dont go below 1000 Grit.....

I have done about 100 Sets of lights so far, ALWAYS used 500,800,1000,3000 with my GG 3"

And i am sanding with the 500 LONGEST usually, to remove all the oxidiation from the headlights. And i have been considering stocking some 320 to cut even faster.
Click to expand...

That is how I just did mine. 500. 800 dry and then 3000 wet and then 3 m coumpound. Worked like a charm. Does anyone here start off sanding dry?
 
Like someone mentioned, not all lenses are created equal. Some are soft enough for 1000, some have a harder composition, some are slightly cloudy but have crazing in the factory coating. For those that swear never going below 1500 or 2000, I'll glady pay you $500 to watch you refinish a set of Volvo lenses in under 2 hours without anything coarser (by hand). Not happening.

As for an 05 Impala, I think 800 would be lowest if they were really bad. Otherwise 1000 can get you where you need to. GM vehicles have relatively soft plastic lenses. Since he's tried working on them already, he'll need to go one step finer than the coarsest level he tried. For example if he tried 600, he needs to hit it with 800 and do the whole process from there. I'm not familiar with 3m compound or how he polished it but hopefully it's not warped or having the wool/compound put more swirls in it.
 
After using my pc 3" bp and meguiars discs, no way id do headlights by hand again. Mf cutting pad with 105 and 205 with white pad... Works everytime


Sent from my Alien ship
 
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