Headlight sanding
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Petaluma, Ca.
Headlight sanding
I sanded the plastic lenses on my headlights to make them bright again.
I wet sanded with 600 grit, then 1000 then ended with 1500 grit. It worked very well and took about 20 min.
Beaned
I wet sanded with 600 grit, then 1000 then ended with 1500 grit. It worked very well and took about 20 min.
Beaned
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 3
Alternatively, you can first knock off the three casting nipples with a sharp wood chisel. With a buffer, apply some rubbing compound, wipe off and follow with polishing compound and a final buff with talc or cornstarch. Cheapest method around and works well. Just watch the adjacent edges don't get burned with the buffer wheel or else tape them off beforehand.
Last edited by aerocolorado; Jan 6, 2008 at 06:55 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
Originally Posted by aerocolorado
Alternatively, you can first knock off the three casting nipples with a sharp wood chisel. With a buffer, apply some rubbing compound, wipe off and follow with polishing compound and a final buff with talc or cornstarch. Cheapest method around and works well. Just watch the adjacent edges don't get burned with the buffer wheel or else tape them off beforehand.
I tend to stay away from sand paper do to the harshness of it, unless your head lights are really bad.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Petaluma, Ca.
Actually, 1500 grit is very fine. If you wanted it smoother,you cold go to 2000, 3000 grit.
The material removed is minimal. I saw this procedure in Road & Track and it works well.
Beaned
The material removed is minimal. I saw this procedure in Road & Track and it works well.
Beaned
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
I recently tried polishing compound (finer than rubbing compound) & had great fast results when I realized I'd left my McGuire's polish 1200 miles away. I did it by hand & it only took a few minutes, but then I polish them about twice a year anyway.
Trending Topics
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Once polished, I would coat them with a film that blocks UV rays and prevents oxidation. That should prevent or slow future yellowing.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Wichita
Originally Posted by Bear River
Once polished, I would coat them with a film that blocks UV rays and prevents oxidation. That should prevent or slow future yellowing.
After I replaced my lenses on the T-bird TurboCoupe I added a pair of those smoke colored covers. They looked cool with the dark blue paint but a hassle to take on and off when I needed my headlights.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,016
Likes: 208
From: SoCal
I think you can get those covers in clear. Their legality is still questionable, but at least you can use your lights with them on. And yes, most polycarbonates will absorb UV, so they will be a good protection from the sun for your newly polished headlight lenses. However, a lot of the lens damage comes from the hot headlight itself, and that's something you can't protect against.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Wichita
I found this product. You probably would need to shave off those "nubs". I wonder how well it follows contours, I could use it on the Seville.
http://www.allsaver.com/index.html
http://www.allsaver.com/index.html
Last edited by VanGo; Jan 9, 2008 at 09:15 AM.