Headlights

aviator8

Promoted Users
Please ignore the dirt. I know it needs to be washed but its cold :)
When I bought this car it had some clear scratches from the dealer washing it with presumably a bucket of dirty water. I bought a polisher and some CG polishing compounds and got most of the scratches out. This was before I really knew what I was doing with a polisher. I should have taped up the edges so I didn't get onto the headlights. Over time it has become more pronounced. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to correct this?

IMG_1887.jpg
IMG_1888.jpg
 
We wetsand the remains of the old optical coating off of the headlamps and then clear coat them. What I see looks like normal wear and tear from UV light, not sure if you ought to be blaming your polishing technique.
 
We wetsand the remains of the old optical coating off of the headlamps and then clear coat them. What I see looks like normal wear and tear from UV light, not sure if you ought to be blaming your polishing technique.
Thanks, I know I contributed. After I finished I noticed that I had gotten into them. It was hardly noticeable then but I probably accelerated the deterioration by creating an exposed band on the top. So just a couple coats of universal clear and they will be back to new looking? How far do you take it with wet sanding?
 
There is always a coating on the lens, and I recommend completely removing the coating with a coarser grit like 600, then refining. Over the years I have personally decided to refine out past 800, I think not all headlamps are created equal and I've obtained best results by using pretty fine grits.
 
I really didn't want to mention 320, but yeah I think that's what is getting used also. I have to admit that it's been a while since I actually sanded a headlamp myself. I do spray the clear on them, though. One other thing I think I have noticed is that slow clear has a bit more clarity. I think it might be because it has less acetone, and acetone is hard on polycarbonate.
 
Well... I don't usually disagree with the boss, but I can see if the 320 marks have not been sanded out. It's not just a matter of the lamps being shiny, it's also how perfectly transparent they can be made when we are done.

It's possible that I'm just too picky, because I have to point out the stuff I'm seeing to other people.
 
Well... I don't usually disagree with the boss, but I can see if the 320 marks have not been sanded out. It's not just a matter of the lamps being shiny, it's also how perfectly transparent they can be made when we are done.

It's possible that I'm just too picky, because I have to point out the stuff I'm seeing to other people.
Being a perfectionist when it comes to these matters is not something to apologize for.
Besides, I am nowhere near a perfectionist but thought the same thing when I saw the 320 grit recommendation. ;)
 
I use a 3 inch da with an interface pad almost for the whole process. Then a grey pad to refine. Check with the 710 then finish up.
 
Back
Top