SS LeadFoot Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Well this was my first attempt at restoring headlights. These were in horrible shape as you can tell from the pics. I used 1000 grit then 1500 then 3000. After that I followed with a plastic polish and a buffer. Let me know what you guys think. Before After Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris@Adams Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Much better....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egott_91 Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Looks better, but they still seem a little hazy. When I do headlights, I actually use PCP and PFP on the corresponding 4" pads on a drill. Makes pretty quick work of the haze. Team Adam's 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
varga740 Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 I would do a few more passes using a heavier polish if you have it with a drill and 4" pads. That should clear up the haze a lot more. Then apply the longest lasting sealant you have. I just did mine for the first time last weekend and the entire process actually took me longer than I thought it would. It's important to sand completely and evenly before moving on to the next grit. Otherwise you'll have sanding marks that can't be removed at the polishing step without going back and resanding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky Bobby Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 You need to start with like a 600 grit on those, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc2hill Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 You need to start with like a 600 grit on those, And I was going to say the opposite! From the way they looked to me I would have started with green Focus pad on a drill using a very aggressive polish, followed with a white Focus pad and finishing polish. Chewy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky Bobby Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 I was just going off the finished pics, I don't think the 1000 grit got the haze removed deep enough in order for the 3000 grit to smooth it out and the plastic polish to bring out the luster of the lens. With lenses that bad in my experience you usually need a heavier wetstanding job in the first and 2nd grits, then the subsequent lighter grits are just to smooth and remove the scratches from the previous step, until you get up to about 2k - 3k grit and then you can compound and polish the lens to finish up the restoration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS LeadFoot Posted April 21, 2014 Author Share Posted April 21, 2014 I was a little disappointed with the outcome as well. The lens in smooth to touch though. The have you see is actually inside the lens not on the outside. I think with this set it might be as good as it gets unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky Bobby Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Oh, well you neglected to tell us that. Interior film is not able to be done much unfortunately unless you bake them open SS LeadFoot 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blcksilv08 Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Either bake them open, dremel or hot knife then silicone them back as long as you are careful. Just cheaper than buying new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc2hill Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 I was just going off the finished pics, I don't think the 1000 grit got the haze removed deep enough in order for the 3000 grit to smooth it out and the plastic polish to bring out the luster of the lens. With lenses that bad in my experience you usually need a heavier wetstanding job in the first and 2nd grits, then the subsequent lighter grits are just to smooth and remove the scratches from the previous step, until you get up to about 2k - 3k grit and then you can compound and polish the lens to finish up the restoration. Agreed that is hard to tell just from pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS LeadFoot Posted April 22, 2014 Author Share Posted April 22, 2014 Oh, well you neglected to tell us that. Interior film is not able to be done much unfortunately unless you bake them open Just noticed it. Really hard to tell from the pics but if you get close enough in person you can see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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