Headlight & Taillight Restoration

[Jmoran]

Does anyone have a method to restore headlights and taillights using the wet sanding method? My questions are what grit should I use and what sealant should I use?

 

[ScottB]

I find most relatively good looking taillamps only need Plexus or DP Plex-All but Novus and Megs make nice plexiglass polishes.

 

[LSUFAN]

Just did the tail lights of a 99 Yukon today that I bought from a friend. as you can see they were pretty bad

one down

both sanded polished an opti-coated

Started with 600 then 800 then 1200 an last sanding was 2000 grit.
Then tried megs 205 with a white foam pad. Cleaned them up well but then switched to Wolfgang total swirl remover on a white pad worked perfect.
Good cleaning with IPA then sealed with opti-coat

 

[craz0boy]

I use wet/dry sandpaper start with a 1500 grit & finish with a 3000 grit. Then megs plastic x cleaner and polisher, then finish off with Meg's headlight protectant. I have done more than 5 pair of headlights using this method with awesome results. Takes about 15mins to do.
Before

After

 

[ray6]

Does anyone have a method to restore headlights and taillights using the wet sanding method? My questions are what grit should I use and what sealant should I use?

We don't normally sand acrylic, just strip and coat. Same process as headlights. Acrylic tends to fill up sandpaper and usually stripping alone does the job, but a quick wipe with 1500-2000 grit will help protective coating stick.

Basically, any process or coating designed for polycarbonate will also work with acrylic. By the way, emergency light bars found on police cruisers are acrylic and easy to restore. Replacement units are over $1000.
ray6

 

[ray6]

Does anyone have a method to restore headlights and taillights using the wet sanding method? My questions are what grit should I use and what sealant should I use?

Forgot to add:
Use a polycarbonate such as Brite Lites UVHC or Premium, Delta Kits Coat2Protect, Dvelup, Medallion, or even Spar/MS would work in this situation. Avoid water based for this because of the coating thinness. For polyurethane, cure can be shortened by using mild heat from a hair dryer or heat gun.
ray6

 

[ray6]

We don't normally sand acrylic, just strip and coat. Same process as headlights. Acrylic tends to fill up sandpaper and usually stripping alone does the job, but a quick wipe with 1500-2000 grit will help protective coating stick.

Basically, any process or coating designed for polycarbonate will also work with acrylic. By the way, emergency light bars found on police cruisers are acrylic and easy to restore. Replacement units are over $1000.
ray6

Sorry, I misread your question. My responses apply to taillights (acrylic) only. There's tons of info on headlights available on this forum.
ray6