wet sanding your headlights = nasty scratches

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pman626

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Have you seen your headlights at night when the lights are on?

When you sand your lights and polish, you may not be getting all the scratches out.

It might look good enough during the day, but take a look at your headlights with the light beam shining through them.
holy scratches and swirls.
 
pman626 said:
Have you seen your headlights at night when the lights are on?

When you sand your lights and polish, you may not be getting all the scratches out.

It might look good enough during the day, but take a look at your headlights with the light beam shining through them.
holy scratches and swirls.
Click to expand...
Your title and quote:confused:
 
I dunno. Mine look as good as new. Maybe you should review your technique?
 
That's why I finish up with 3k.
You can't rush the sanding, take your time, go over it well on every step of sanding.
 
I finish with 3k follow with m100 and mf cutting pad than polish with orange pad with no problems
 
I can't say that I have this issues. As long as you finish the plastic out properly you shouldn't have all kinds of marks.
 
pman626 said:
Have you seen your headlights at night when the lights are on?

When you sand your lights and polish, you may not be getting all the scratches out.

It might look good enough during the day, but take a look at your headlights with the light beam shining through them.
holy scratches and swirls.
Click to expand...

What is your process? I don't have any issues with scratches either.
 
hmm. maybe I didn't cut enough.

I did 2000 grit, then a wornout 2000 grit.
then orange cutting pad using megs Ultimate Compound.
Finish with megs ultimate polish.
 
pman626 said:
hmm. maybe I didn't cut enough.

I did 2000 grit, then a wornout 2000 grit.
then orange cutting pad using megs Ultimate Compound.
Finish with megs ultimate polish.
Click to expand...


What is the thought process on using a "worn out" P2000?
 
I would assume tho OP is thinking worn out 2000 = close to 3000, but it really doesn't. Pick up some 3000 and I think you'll find your problem is solved.
 
i thought the cutting compound would get rid of 2000 grit, so I never bothered to get 3000.
 
I think I would depend a lot on the particular compound and machine used.

Was 2000 grit your only step, or was it what you finished with?

If you only used 2000, you may not have removed all the imperfections before you switched to compound.

This may be the factory coating failing or the lens itself "crazing" or the micro spiderweb effect.

How old or bad are the lights you did?
 
I agree with Mantilgh that there are so many levels of damaged headlights and it seems that even though they look similar; they respond to compound and others require sanding

I have only done 3 sets myself, but have watched many more being done down at Meguiar's TNOG with a 3" pneumatic sander from Harbor Freight and Unigrit Discs

The best results seem to always be obtained by the guys who spend the most time using the lower grit papers

The new headlight restoration system that Meguiar's launched at SEMA uses super aggressive "rocks in a bottle" compound with a white ScotchBrite pad, immediately followed with the spray on coating.

They look pretty far good and the process is almost unbelievably quick

Art posted a video here somewhere
 
Ah, you've been holding out on me Mr. Allen.

"Rocks in a bottle" with a ScotchBright pad sounds perfect for my thread.

Could you post or send me a link if you find it or add what info you can to my thread if you like.

Thank you
 
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