How to restore my headlights

BrianMcLeod

BrianMcLeod

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So I have headlights and they look bad how do yall restore head lights I have a porter cable da with a 3 inch I restored headlights before but they just go back to yellow-ish or one is yellow and ones not so I correct the yellow one or hazed and they don't look the same here's what I'm working with I also have a flex View attachment 30774View attachment 30775

Now I think these headlights are suppose to have a green tint but when I did them the first time they looked good but started looking bad again as you can see in the pic ^

View attachment 30776
 
There is already a huge thread here dealing with headlamp restoration.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...eadlight-restoration-new-uv-sealant-idea.html

You appear to already have the tools, so just go on AG and order some 3" Meguiars Unigrit sanding discs in a variety of grits. The coarser ones are not expensive at all and may come in handy some day, so just get a box each of 320, 500, 800, 1500 and 3000. You may get lucky and only need to start at 800. Then follow along in the thread linked above for good info and pointers.
 
The Unigrit sanding discs are an expensive route ($59 for a box of 3000#) if you are just doing your personal vehicle. They also should be used with an interface pad ($10) and a sanding specific BP ($28), due to the difference hook & loop configuration

AGO sells a variety pack of sanding papers that is a much less expensive option. Make sure you buy the foam backing pad for hand sanding
 
SameGuy said:
There is already a huge thread here dealing with headlamp restoration.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...eadlight-restoration-new-uv-sealant-idea.html

You appear to already have the tools, so just go on AG and order some 3" Meguiars Unigrit sanding discs in a variety of grits. The coarser ones are not expensive at all and may come in handy some day, so just get a box each of 320, 500, 800, 1500 and 3000. You may get lucky and only need to start at 800. Then follow along in the thread linked above for good info and pointers.
Click to expand...


Read like 8 pages good info so do you use that coating they guy made? If not what do you use?
 
allenk4 said:
The Unigrit sanding discs are an expensive route ($59 for a box of 3000#) if you are just doing your personal vehicle. They also should be used with an interface pad ($10) and a sanding specific BP ($28), due to the difference hook & loop configuration



AGO sells a variety pack of sanding papers that is a much less expensive option. Make sure you buy the foam backing pad for hand sanding
Click to expand...


I bought the sanding packs before I plan on doing customers headlights just been out of the game what grit do you use?
 
found the name - UV Sealer-Helmsman Spar Urethane clear coat or whatever its called?

this is what grit I plan on using what do yall think? 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 3000, m105 m205, clean with with a ipa wipe down and coat which coating?

should I use a da when sanding? or by hand? and how is this stuff compared to opti-coat? Feed back please
:thankyousign:
 
I've never had a problem with Optimum's Opti-Lens headlight coating. It's basically Opti-Coat formulated for plastic headlights so they don't oxidize again. It really is an awesome product. The little syringe will last you a very very long time.
 
allenk4 said:
The Unigrit sanding discs are an expensive route ($59 for a box of 3000#) if you are just doing your personal vehicle. They also should be used with an interface pad ($10) and a sanding specific BP ($28), due to the difference hook & loop configuration

AGO sells a variety pack of sanding papers that is a much less expensive option. Make sure you buy the foam backing pad for hand sanding
Click to expand...
not sure where you got those prices but they are nearly double of what you can buy these things for. and the Velcro works fine on the Meguiars pad interface I use on my GG3, never had any problem at all with the standard BP, and unigrit discs of all levels. pad interface is $4. box of discs $35 for 3,000 grit. Backing Plate less than $20. gotta shop around and not just buy from AG. (sorry)
 
IMO the Meguiars Headlight & Spot Repair Kit, with a lot of sanding disks, all of the backing plates, interface pads, polishing pads, and 105, and 205, and a nice bag, is $110, and enough to abrade and polish 20-30 pairs, is a killer deal. There is a 15% off sale now. You cannot beat it.
 
^
Yea I might get that just need to know what grits to use would that be cheaper then buying all of the sand papers by them selfs? And is opti coat still the best coating?
 
miad said:
not sure where you got those prices but they are nearly double of what you can buy these things for. and the Velcro works fine on the Meguiars pad interface I use on my GG3, never had any problem at all with the standard BP, and unigrit discs of all levels. pad interface is $4. box of discs $35 for 3,000 grit. Backing Plate less than $20. gotta shop around and not just buy from AG. (sorry)
Click to expand...


Where do you buy your sandpaper from? You can on me if you want
 
I'll just tell you. If AG wants to ban me, not really worried. man I buy a ton of stuff from AG. love them. but not 100%. there is a site that starts with an E and ends with BAY. they say AG matches prices, but don't know how this works. Google is your friend. shop around. or even your local auto body supply store, whoever your local body shops buy paint and supplies from. just call one, they will probably tell you where to find a place.
 
miad said:
I'll just tell you. If AG wants to ban me, not really worried. man I buy a ton of stuff from AG. love them. but not 100%. there is a site that starts with an E and ends with BAY. they say AG matches prices, but don't know how this works. Google is your friend. shop around. or even your local auto body supply store, whoever your local body shops buy paint and supplies from. just call one, they will probably tell you where to find a place.
Click to expand...


Ok thanks I'll check out those places not what grits do I need to use?
 
I do this everyday, so I have all grits. 500, 800, 1500, then just wetsand after that, 2000, 2500, then heavy compound, light compound (Meguiars 105), and polish. for the average person, buy the unigrit discs in 1500, and sandpaper in 2000, and 2500. then compound will remove those 2500 scratches after that. seal with any number of different sealants, or a dedicated headlight sealant. all of this on sale online for decent prices.
 
3M makes a kit that's 12.99 at chain auto parts stores. Comes with backing plate for a drill, 3 different grits and even compound.
 
miad said:
not sure where you got those prices but they are nearly double of what you can buy these things for. and the Velcro works fine on the Meguiars pad interface I use on my GG3, never had any problem at all with the standard BP, and unigrit discs of all levels. pad interface is $4. box of discs $35 for 3,000 grit. Backing Plate less than $20. gotta shop around and not just buy from AG. (sorry)
Click to expand...

Doesn't 35 x 2 still equal 70 ?

I quoted the AGO prices

You need to read AGO's Price Matching Policy. You could end up with the prices you seek and AGO's top-both customer service

Price Match Promise

My point is that the initial investment of going w 3" discs is not worth it, unless you plan on doing quite a few headlight restorations

The sample kit of Unigrit papers is like $10

Meguiars Unigrit Sand Papers Sheets, wet-sanding papers, remove orange peel, finishing papers
 
I would go with the kits but plan on doing it for my business and making some $$$$ :xyxthumbs:

miad said:
I do this everyday, so I have all grits. 500, 800, 1500, then just wetsand after that, 2000, 2500, then heavy compound, light compound (Meguiars 105), and polish. for the average person, buy the unigrit discs in 1500, and sandpaper in 2000, and 2500. then compound will remove those 2500 scratches after that. seal with any number of different sealants, or a dedicated headlight sealant. all of this on sale online for decent prices.
Click to expand...

ok so 2000 and 2500 wet sand. and then you do it by hand right? do you do the compound with a rotary and polish with a rotary if so would it work the same with a drill? :buffing:
 
just shop around. if you have, you would know that there are lots of places that sell these products for lower prices. its that simple. I buy a lot at AG, but also a lot of other places..
 
If you are looking for a cheap way to make them decent... Get some off bug spray.. The deep woods kind... Works wonders ;)
 
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