Headlight restoration Question

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A client dropped off a '99 Pontiac AM with really bad headlights. So I go in to wet sand with a sanding block with, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 3,000. Then ultimate compound on a terry cloth, the plastic X on a fine polish wool with a corded drill. My DA is broken and waiting for UPS.

Question. there are these small cracks in the headlight lens. Can I remove these or are they to deep? I was thinking of trying 800, then 600, or maybe drop to 400 grit to try and get them out.

Any advice?

cracks.jpg

The unhappiness
P1014245.jpg

not quite perfect
P1014247.jpg



Before picture:
P1014177.jpg

P1014254.jpg


PS any advice on detailing a brown car? I was going to try XMT 360 on a orange/white LC pad, then top off with collinite 845. I might do a two step correction with oj ultimate compound and white m205. Maybe a 3m sealant and 845.
 
Looks like a cross between stress cracks/webbing and etching. If it is stress related then it is most likely on the inside.
 
You can actually start by using a 180 grit or a 320. I don't wet sand because it is too messy, but I do take a paper towel and simply dampen it to wipe the dust odd in between grits. I also use a polisher "Griot's 3" Orbital" and then sand by hand when you get close to the edges.

You can finish with a 3200 grit and then some fine polishing compound, don't forget to seal it with a UV inhitor.
 
What kind of sealer do you use on headlights with UV protection?
 
Hey guys,
a friend recently showed up with a product called Micro-mesh, and after working over a pair of headlamps I was AMAZED at the results. As a new forum member, and a beginner at this stuff I haven't read every thread or post here. Anyone have any experience using this product?
I'm wondering about it's possibilities as a scratch remover on glass as well, as scratches on side windows from felt pads/grit inside the doors on my model-specific forum are a common problem.

Here is a "Professional" kit sold by a pilot's specific vendor's website.
Micro-mesh Scratch Remover Kit (professional) - Sporty's Pilot Shop

Glenn
 
slickooz said:
What kind of sealer do you use on headlights with UV protection?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I am allowed to say on this forum but we'll see. I have mentioned this product before on this forum and it somehow mysteriously disappeared.

DeltaKits has a great HLR system that you can offer to your customers with a 2 year guarantee. Just google DeltaKits.
 
scrubs147 said:
I'm not sure I am allowed to say on this forum but we'll see. I have mentioned this product before on this forum and it somehow mysteriously disappeared.

DeltaKits has a great HLR system that you can offer to your customers with a 2 year guarantee. Just google DeltaKits.
Click to expand...
i would try a 320 dry sanding or400 3inch sander see that work
 
slickooz said:
What kind of sealer do you use on headlights with UV protection?
Click to expand...

I tend to just use Collinite 845. The collinite website, auto geek and various forums post all say this wax offers UV protection. I dunno if its UV-a, or UV-b, but I've restored headlights a year ago and been using this wax every 6months on the paint, plastic, glass, chrome, wheels, steel, ect and it works perfectly. not so good on rubber.
 
Oh I didnt know you can put wax on headlights. Going try it on my dad beater see if there an improvement. Thanks.:props:
 
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