Headlight sanding
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Senior User
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Former ******
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.