Headlight restoration w/Meguiars professional kit

MNDSMtuner96

MNDSMtuner96

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Hey guys. I just purchased the Meguiars Professional Headlight and Spot Repair Kit and just have a few questions. I have searched and searched for these answers and have had no luck so hoping a few of you that have this kit could help me out. First off, I am new to the whole sanding thing and haven't wetsanded paint yet either but cant wait to learn and perfect this art. A couple years back I purchased the Diamonite headlight kit and while it works it obviously does not compare to sanding. So my questions are;
1. What speed do I run the tools at? Full speed?
2. How do I know what grit to start at?
3. How does this compare to hand sanding the headlights?
4. Why are there only 15 1000 and 3000 grit discs? Do they hopefully last longer so you dont have to buy them as often?
Im a total noob when it comes to HLR but really want to incorporate this service into my business. Thanks in advance!!
 
Here are two videos:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASoxoDLRl_c]Professional Headlight Kit Being Used on a Headlight! - YouTube[/video]

And this by a member CriticalDetails:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACu1yRyjzOU]Car Detailing: Headlight Restoration - Honda Civic, GoPro Hero3 - YouTube[/video]
 
Thank you for sharing, but I have seen these videos and they don't really answer my questions.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using AG Online
 
MNDSMtuner96 said:
Thank you for sharing, but I have seen these videos and they don't really answer my questions.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using AG Online
Click to expand...

1. What speed do I run the tools at? Full speed?
2. How do I know what grit to start at?
3. How does this compare to hand sanding the headlights?
4. Why are there only 15 1000 and 3000 grit discs? Do they hopefully last longer so you dont have to buy them as often?
Click to expand...

1. Haven't used the pneumatic ones so I can't say what speed. On and electric DA I would say speed 4-5 small GG 3" DA speed 6

2. Most headlights you want to start at a lower grit. You want to ensure your remove all of the faded lens and plastic then slowly refine your sanding marks with a higher grit.

3. There are some similarities in that your want to remove equal amounts of the lens with both techniques however the machine way is much faster and allows the removal to be much more uniform.

4. These sanding discs do not last forever and will need to be replaced. The give you enough to get started but you will have to buy more.
 
Thanks again for your input. I know the discs dont last forever I was just wondering if the finer grit ones last longer? Cause you only get 15 compared to the more coarse ones that you get 50 of.

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The finer grits do last longer but nothing too noticeable.
 
MNDSMtuner96 said:
Thanks again for your input. I know the discs dont last forever I was just wondering if the finer grit ones last longer? Cause you only get 15 compared to the more coarse ones that you get 50 of.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using AG Online
Click to expand...

I just watch a youtube vid from 2010 that a Maguiars rep was showing this new product (Headlight and spot repair kit) At SEMA? I think he stated that you use more of the courser grits (2 or 3 per lense) that is why they give you more of them in the kit. The finer grits last 5 or 6 lenses.
 
Last edited:
Certainly looks like a porter cable with a small backing plate.
 
Porter Cable 7424xp with 3in backing plate.

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Evan.J said:
The finer grits do last longer but nothing too noticeable.
Click to expand...

To do the same job, I would argue that the finer grits do not last as long as lower grit discs.


Trying to skip the lower grits and jump to 3000 is not a time or money saver.

OP is much better off, purchasing the correct range of grits.


The guys at Meguiar's suggest that consistently cleaning higher grit Unigrit and Trizact discs with a spray of water will increase their longevity
 
So how did it go with this kit? I am thinking about getting it.
 
I've used this kit and it worked awesome. Would def buy it again if needed in the future. I was going to post my picture of before and after but I don't have it on my phone anymore.
 
JAF06SE said:
I've used this kit and it worked awesome. Would def buy it again if needed in the future. I was going to post my picture of before and after but I don't have it on my phone anymore.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure that's about all I needed to hear :dblthumb2: AG thanks you...
 
MNDSMtuner96 said:
Hey guys. I just purchased the Meguiars Professional Headlight and Spot Repair Kit and just have a few questions. I have searched and searched for these answers and have had no luck so hoping a few of you that have this kit could help me out. First off, I am new to the whole sanding thing and haven't wetsanded paint yet either but cant wait to learn and perfect this art. A couple years back I purchased the Diamonite headlight kit and while it works it obviously does not compare to sanding. So my questions are;
1. What speed do I run the tools at? Full speed?
2. How do I know what grit to start at?
3. How does this compare to hand sanding the headlights?
4. Why are there only 15 1000 and 3000 grit discs? Do they hopefully last longer so you dont have to buy them as often?
Im a total noob when it comes to HLR but really want to incorporate this service into my business. Thanks in advance!!
Click to expand...

Now to answer the OP's questions.
1. Depends on the tool. The kit is set up to be used on a drill. I used a Milwaukee 18V Lithium cordless when I did mine. I used the low speed because high is too fast. You can't control it. So, I would recommend low unless you have a smaller drill that doesn't spin as fast.
2. You can start in the middle and see if it does anything then go to the lower grit. The 3000 is just for fine sanding the scratches out anyway. Then the Plastix polishes it up even more.
3. Never hand sanded them so can't comment on that.
4. That's really the only grits you should need the way the kit is set up. The sandpaper takes the nasty stuff off and the compound finishes it out. You can maybe use them twice but I wouldn't push it or you might be stuck in the middle of a job and can't finish cause you're out of material. Personally if I were doing this professionally I would charge $50 for a HLR. $30 for the kit and $20 for a half hour of work. Not a bad deal. You can also buy replacement 3M disc most anywhere too. Not sure on the price of them though. Hope this helps ya out man.
 
Thanks guys. I've done a few pair now and it's working great! I first went to the local junkyard and got a couple pair to practice on. They don't include the pneumatic tools in the kit anymore so I purchased them separately on eBay. I'm charging between $60-$100 depending on size. Here's a couple pics.

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