Used Acetone, Lights Look Terrible

MassWineGuy

MassWineGuy

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I thought that after sanding my plastic headlight cover, rubbing it with acetone would make it clear. But it streaked and fogged it up worse. Do I just need to wet sand again w/400, 800, 1,000, etc. grit?

Thanks a lot.
 
Welcome to AGO.

Did you polish at all after sanding the lights?
 
Look here,


Review: SONAX Profiline Headlight Restoration Kit


Shows before and after for sanding and then polishing...

aSONAX_Head_071.JPG


aSONAX_Head_072.JPG


aSONAX_Head_073.JPG




:)
 
I didn’t polish after sanding. Should I use that Plastic X stuff or some rubbing compound? I think I’ll need to use 200 grit first. No way am spending $100 on some kit.

Thank you.
 
MassWineGuy said:
I didn’t polish after sanding. Should I use that Plastic X stuff or some rubbing compound? I think I’ll need to use 200 grit first. No way am spending $100 on some kit.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

200g may be too course. Start with a 1000 and move up or down as needed. When it becomes fairly clear, compound and polish. Acetone and plastic don't mix well.
 
Like Mike Phillips said. AFAIK, Acetone will eat plastics like candy. Melt the living daylights out of it.
 
MassWineGuy said:
I didn’t polish after sanding. Should I use that Plastic X stuff or some rubbing compound? I think I’ll need to use 200 grit first. No way am spending $100 on some kit.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure using rubbing compound is a good idea. Plastic X is a decent plastic polish in a pinch after you sand it all out, but I got far better results from this Wolfgang kit.

Wolfgang Headlight Kit.

While it might still be a bit pricey at $60, you are getting a small backing plate, drill adapter, pads, and the products needed to polish and seal the headlights. I've been much happier with the results with this kit vs using just Plastic X. The lenses come out clearer and the included sealant greatly slows down the yellowing/hazing process.
 
I do a lot of headlights. You need to start with 800 dry, then 1000 dry, then 1500 wet, 2000 wet, then a heavy compound followed by a good polish. Lot of work, but you need to remove the damaged plastic. I have gone down to 400, but never 200.
 
Desertnate said:
I'm not sure using rubbing compound is a good idea. Plastic X is a decent plastic polish in a pinch after you sand it all out, but I got far better results from this Wolfgang kit.

Wolfgang Headlight Kit.

While it might still be a bit pricey at $60, you are getting a small backing plate, drill adapter, pads, and the products needed to polish and seal the headlights. I've been much happier with the results with this kit vs using just Plastic X. The lenses come out clearer and the included sealant greatly slows down the yellowing/hazing process.
Click to expand...

ive have the wg kit and pleased with results
 
rangerbay said:
I do a lot of headlights. You need to start with 800 dry, then 1000 dry, then 1500 wet, 2000 wet, then a heavy compound followed by a good polish. Lot of work, but you need to remove the damaged plastic. I have gone down to 400, but never 200.
Click to expand...

Down in New Mexico when I lived there, headlights looked like a combination of blow torched, and sand blasted. 400 Grit was about the starting point, and even then you had your work cut out for you.
 
rangerbay said:
I do a lot of headlights. You need to start with 800 dry, then 1000 dry, then 1500 wet, 2000 wet, then a heavy compound followed by a good polish. Lot of work, but you need to remove the damaged plastic. I have gone down to 400, but never 200.
Click to expand...

Why dry with 800 and 1000?

I always do wet.
 
quicker. Cut with it dry, then smooth it with wet (damp, actually) If I need to cut with 400, I will damp sand with it. However, 800 and 1000 cut great dry.

Do you machine sand or hand sand?

Bill
 
Desertnate said:
I got far better results from this Wolfgang kit.

Wolfgang Headlight Kit.

While it might still be $60, you are getting a small backing plate, drill adapter, pads, and the products needed to polish and seal the headlights. The lenses come out clearer and the included sealant greatly slows down the yellowing/hazing process.
Click to expand...

I also have used this kit on four cars with good results.
 
Once I get them clear enough from sanding, if ever, I have some light 3M
rubbing compound that may work better than the PlastX. Then, what should I coat/seal it with? Some UV resistant clear coat spray made for plastic? The Maguier’s coating?

Thanks very much.
 
MassWineGuy said:
I didn’t polish after sanding.

No way am spending $100 on some kit.

Thank you.
Click to expand...


Copy that... my point and goal was to simply show you what sanded headlights should look like after polishing. It wasn't to "sell" you.

And I think these pictures show the dramatic before and after difference, kind of tricky getting the last one...


aSONAX_Head_071.JPG


aSONAX_Head_072.JPG


aSONAX_Head_073.JPG


:Picture: :Picture: :Picture: :Picture: :Picture:
 
Mike, an inadequacy of Web communication is that a message can suggest something the author never intended. I never felt like you were trying to sell me something. I very much appreciate your helpful advice.
 
MassWineGuy said:
Once I get them clear enough from sanding, if ever, I have some light 3M
rubbing compound that may work better than the PlastX. Then, what should I coat/seal it with? Some UV resistant clear coat spray made for plastic? The Maguier’s coating?

Thanks very much.
Click to expand...

If you follow the sanding tips provided already, I'd go with a polish, not another compound or something that agressive. To get them as clear as possible and looking new, you'll need to use finer polishes to take out any marks left from the sanding. No rubbing compound I've seen will polish out that nicely, it's too agressive. Plastic X will improve a lense better than a rubbing compound, I've just found other products I think work better.

I was not very happy with the Meguiar's Headlight Coating. It sprayed on nicely, but became textured as it dried and it left the headlights looking strange. It also only lasted 3~4 months before the yellowing and hazing returned. The headlight sealant in the Wolfgang kit I mentioned earlier has proven to last me about 6-ish months and can make the lense look brand new if you use the two-step polishing process first.
 
MassWineGuy said:
Mike, an inadequacy of Web communication is that a message can suggest something the author never intended. I never felt like you were trying to sell me something. I very much appreciate your helpful advice.
Click to expand...


Copy that.

As a guy that can document his first how-to article on the Internet back to 1994 - I completely agree.


:cheers:
 
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