How to remove swirl marks from headlight lens - newbie here

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Bdavison51

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I am sure that has been discussed over and over but I cannot get these swirl marks out of my headlight lens! I have sanded, polished, used different pads nothing works. Things I have used below

wet sanded with 2000 then 3000
chemical guys, V32, V34,V36,V38
chemical guys VSS
yellow pad, orange pad, green pad, white pad, blue pad
Using an orbital buffer

The lens look crystal clear until you shine a light in them and then swirl marks galore!!

like I said I’m new so please someone give me a step by step education please!
 
How old are the lenses? What kind of vehicle?

Do you have any pics?
 
Based on your process, it appears the issue is the abrasive technology used. Those Chemical Guys Vxx products are garbage and very likely couldn’t remove the scratches created by wet sanding.
Better polishes should take care of your issue. Keep in mind your headlights now have zero UV protection and will turn yellow quickly. You’ll need to protect them with clear coat or PPF.
 
You need a lower grit sandpaper (800-1000) then move up. Are you using a 3" pad?
 
Bruno Soares said:
Based on your process, it appears the issue is the abrasive technology used. Those Chemical Guys Vxx products are garbage and very likely couldn’t remove the scratches created by wet sanding.
Better polishes should take care of your issue. Keep in mind your headlights now have zero UV protection and will turn yellow quickly. You’ll need to protect them with clear coat or PPF.
Click to expand...

What products would you recommend?
 
Swirls Schmirls!

•IMO:
-Just as in painting...you need some swirl
marks (scratches) to be left behind from
the sanding/polishing steps. {Think:
scratch/‘roughen-up’ the base material.}

-This will enable the 2K ClearCoat—w/UV
additives—that you’ll be using to not only
seal/protect the lens; but it will also fill-in/
smooth-out those ‘scratches-that-bind’.

It really is a sight to behold!


Bob
 
You could just buy a kit like this that has all you’ll need.

Griot's Garage Ceramic Headlight Restoration Kit- Moderate

Doesn’t seem like yours is very bad but if it were, there’s a version of the kit for severe oxidation.

If you just want a polish, something sold at Autogeek will work well. I like CarPro Essence for my finishing polish but you could also have great results with Sonax Perfect Finish or Wolfgang Finishing Glaze. Many options at AG.
 
Exactly… 400 grit paper until they are totally opaque, then 1000 and 2000 and then a rotary with the hybrid wool pad, with a medium abrasive rubbing compound, then M205 and an orbital/medium pad. I guarantee you that will get it. I’ve had this happen before. Once completely clear, two coats of CQUK or luminx PPF.
 
Yeah, Brian at Paint Society is one of the best Youtubers out there. Clear easy to follow videos that have very good content.
 
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