Headlights restoration? What is ur method?

EvolutionDetail

EvolutionDetail

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Looking for insight on headlight restoration.

I have ALWAYS used 1000 Grit then 3000 to restore headlights.
However recently i have stumble upon headlights that just refuse to work with this combo i have always used.

Something tells me that i am not using a coarse enough sandpaper for the job.

Please share your experience with a fellow member. Feed back please
 
Ultimate Compound or M205 with a dual action buffer then seal with a headlight sealant.. lately been using m205.
 
I use a rotary with a 3 inch pad, and a interference pad for the sand papers. I have done some reallllly bad headlights before and went down to 350 grit. I usually start off at 800 or 1000 depending on the condition and really bad ones 550.
 
I have a 3 inch backing plate on a rotary with an interference pad, about 1/4 inch thick to contour to the lens. Then once the lens is all taped up for safety, spray water onto the lens, and with no pressure and at the lowest settings slowly do 50/50 laps over the surface of the lens. Once I have determined that I have removed the defects I wanted, I move up grit sandpaper until I hit 3000, then I just lightly buff it out and seal it. I hope that was what you were looking for?
 
1500 grit and work down if needed.
I let my rotary and Meguiar's 105 and 205 do the rest.
 
Different grits of aluminum polish with a wool pad on a rotary. Then hit them with m105 or equivalent compound with a DA and finishing polish. Then seal the lights.
 
+1 on the rotary. Low rpm's so as not to burn the lense.
Either Mothers kit, compounding, or sanding.
4-5.5" foam pads using extention adaptor.
Most I see rarely need sanding but that was my demographic.

TIP: keep 'em wet while sanding to ensure uniformity of cut, slurry removal, and eliminate wheel hop.

 
Ahh i see.
So most of you folks are using a rotary for sanding?
Is a DA capable to do sanding? Because i do not own a rotary....
All i have ever used is DA.

For the grit sand paper, depending on the condition of headlight it is about 500 - 3000 Grit?

Can you guys recommend me what kind of sandpaper for the job?

PS: I have used the Meguiar 3" sanding disc 1000 / 3000. Along with my GG3", i was getting splatter ALL OVER the place. So ever since then i always sand by hand to avoid the splatter.
 
For the grit sand paper, depending on the condition of headlight it is about 500 - 3000 Grit?

Can you guys recommend me what kind of sandpaper for the job?

PS: I have used the Meguiar 3" sanding disc 1000 / 3000. Along with my GG3", i was getting splatter ALL OVER the place. So ever since then i always sand by hand to avoid the splatter.
 
I use 3m sandpaper. A hint for you, look out for cracked lens. Do not do those. When I said to use the buffer at low speeds, with water, it is not only to make it uniformed like said by Vegas transplant, but to keep the lens cool so it wont spread any cracks not visible. Also use extremely light pressure so it reduces the chance of the lens shattering. Better safe then sorry! =)
 
andrewbmw said:
I use 3m sandpaper. A hint for you, look out for cracked lens. Do not do those. When I said to use the buffer at low speeds, with water, it is not only to make it uniformed like said by Vegas transplant, but to keep the lens cool so it wont spread any cracks not visible. Also use extremely light pressure so it reduces the chance of the lens shattering. Better safe then sorry! =)
Click to expand...

Really good advise Bro!!
 
andrewbmw said:
I use 3m sandpaper. A hint for you, look out for cracked lens. Do not do those. When I said to use the buffer at low speeds, with water, it is not only to make it uniformed like said by Vegas transplant, but to keep the lens cool so it wont spread any cracks not visible. Also use extremely light pressure so it reduces the chance of the lens shattering. Better safe then sorry! =)
Click to expand...


Alrighty, i think the reason i was getting splatter because i had it on speed 6 on my GG 3" lol.

So what speed should i be using?
I keep the lens plenty wet at all times, so that is not a problem for me.
 
500 Grit-800 grit Dry, 1200 grit wet, 3000 grit wet. Compound with M101. Seal em up. Used the DP kit and while it worked nicely without having to sand, the purple foamed wool pad supplied is too small. Wobbles way to much on a drill. So much so the pad delaminated from the backing and I had to throw it out.
 
If the headlights have only minor hazing, can I just skip the wet sanding all together? My strongest compound is meguiars ultimate and strongest pad would be orange hex foam. Have m205 and some aio's for the finer polishing.

But if those won't get past anything without sanding first then I'll start reading up on how to do that correctly
 
Today, I got another Headlight restoration job.
Used GG 3" with Meguiars 1000 / 3000 Grit, Wet sand. Speed 3
It brought the headlights back nicely.
Definitely much better than sanding by hand.

However i notice the Meguiars sanding disc don't last very long.
After just i am done with a pair of headlights, the backing already show delaminating. Just a matter of time before it comes off completely.
And they are NOT CHEAP
 
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