Wet Sanded+Buffed Headlamps DUW

[Marauder2005]

I wet sanded and buffed the headlamps and corner lamps on my

Marauder, they were looking a little dull. I must say, the look show room

after wet sanding and buffing!

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r131/Marauder2003_photo/DSCF0321.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r131/Marauder2003_photo/DSCF0320.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r131/Marauder2003_photo/DSCF0318.jpg

[jdando]

Looks good. How about before and after pictures? What is the procedure? My headlights would benefit from this!

[jgc61sr2002]

They look good.:D
What grit of sandpaper did you use?

[Vortech347]

Before and afters!!!

My other MM's headlights looked like CRAP.

[Marauder386]

RoadPig #1 has a case of "Yellow Eye" on the passengers side eyeball ... more like "Champagne Eye" .... suggestions ? Otherwise, I use NEVR-DULL on the housings... wipe it on, let dry, buff off ...


8)

[Paco]

It does look real good. But and I don't know how accurate this is, I did find this on another forum. Many its common knowledge or wrong but...

"Most modern headlight lenses are actually a 2-layer unit. The base material is likely a polycarbonate material for impact toughness (i.e.- rocks, road debris, etc) and a thin top coat of acrylic. While PC is tough it is not a UV stable material (i.e.- sunlight will cause much damage). Acrylic on the otherhand is a natural UV blocker and protects the PC.

The 'crap' we see on our lenses is the acrylic layer sacrificing itself. Once you sand the acrylic layer off you should see a good PC lens left behind. If you don't protect the raw PC, it will be attacked by the UV rays in sunlight fairly quickly and begin to haze. PC is also fairly sensitive to chemicals as well, which is another reason to protect it from the elements.

While waxing the lens will protect it, it isn't a good long term solution and only offers limited protection. Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Gloss (#1301) is a better protection route. I am sure most acrylic gloss paints should work well, but don't forget about the chemical sensitivity of the polycarbonate material. I would suggest testing a small area/spot on the lens with your acrylic paint of choice to make sure it doesn't react with the PC and ruin your lens.":confused:

Just thought I'd pass it along.

[TiTo35]

I did this about a month ago...helluva difference! I went to Home Depot and got the finest grit sandpaper they had...I gave it to my detailer friend so I dont remember the number...

[chader]

anyone try power polishing?

[baltimoremm]

i tried just buffing with a fine cut compound from 3m and a rotary buffer on medium speed and it helped alot. i think to make it showroom new i'll take 1500 or 2000 grit to them, but i'm nervous that i'll do more harm than good.

[Marauder2005]

Sorry no 'Before' pics were taken, that would have made sense

thow :rolleyes:. I used 1500 grit wet sand paper with soapy water.

Next used 3M polish compound Med cut with a wool pad, then

a polish foam pad with 3M high speed polish.

[shodude]

come on now. 1500 grit. lol thats not a resurface. on the 91 SHO i took the headlights out and started with 200 grit to get all the chips and dings out and progressively came back up to 2000 suckers look like glass now. and are original 17 year old headlamps.

nice job by the way! it really is the only way to get headlights to look good again.

[gja]

This is a pro kit that I use for taking care of all the expensive plastic lenses and windshields. You cannot do better than to use this product. It will clear up and protect plastic like you have never seen, without resorting to wet-sanding which will strip away the protective coating.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/scratchoff.php