Wet sanding headlights (or any plastic lens, really)
Wet sanding headlights (or any plastic lens, really)
I'm sure the spelling isn't perfect but I'm Swedish, as you probably know :closedeyes:
I hope you find this DIY useful, anyway.
This is what I bought:
![[Image: dsc7805fixframe.jpg]](http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/4439/dsc7805fixframe.jpg)
1200 W Circular polisher (Makita 9227?) - £45
Polishing pad - £4
Wet sandpaper 800, 1200 and 2000 grit - £2
Turtle Polishing Compound and scratch remover - £9
Step 1:
If your headlights are mounted on the car, use any kind of masking tape around them to make sure you won't scratch your paint. Also make sure your lights are properly washed.
![[Image: dsc7806fixframe.jpg]](http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/2167/dsc7806fixframe.jpg)
Step 2:
Wet your sandpaper and keep pouring water at your headlight as your sanding with a bit of force. Make sure you're going side to side rather than making circles and that the paper is always wet. When finished with the second step your lenses should feel a lot smoother and look a bit brighter. If you dry them off you will notice they turn really cloudy, but don't worry.
Continue with the 1200 grip paper for about 10 minutes before you start using the 2000 grit.
![[Image: dsc7811fixframe.jpg]](http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2396/dsc7811fixframe.jpg)
Steg 3:
Wet sanding with the 2000 grip paper is the most time consuming step and it's really crucial. Make sure both the headlight and the sandpaper are constantly wet and start sanding until the lenses look like new when they are wet. This will take some time but you want to make sure the sanding scratches are small enough to be polished away. When you're finished the headlights will still look a bit cloudy when they are dry. This is taken care of in the last step.
Steg 4:
Wipe your headlights clean and use a rag to spread some polishing compound evenly on your entire lens (I also applied some on my polishing pad). Then start polishing with your drill/polisher at around 1000-1500rpm until you're satisfied with the result. Make sure you keep moving the machine around to make sure your lens doesn't get too hot. Now you're done! If your lens is still a bit cloudy, just repeat step 3 and 4 again.
Comparison - The left fog light is finished and the right one is soon to be treated
![[Image: dsc7809fixframe.jpg]](http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/7065/dsc7809fixframe.jpg)
Closeups
![[Image: dsc7809crop2frame.jpg]](http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/7295/dsc7809crop2frame.jpg)
![[Image: dsc7809crop1frame.jpg]](http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8164/dsc7809crop1frame.jpg)
Both fog lights wet sanded and polished
![[Image: dsc7818fixframe.jpg]](http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/3348/dsc7818fixframe.jpg)
P.Lindblom
09-10-2017, 12:56 PM #1For a really long time I've wanted to somehow restore my worn headlights lenses and make them shiny again. I've now bought what is needed but I recently traded away my headlights for some dark chrome facelift ones. Luckily I still had my old fog lights that really needed a major treatment
I'm sure the spelling isn't perfect but I'm Swedish, as you probably know :closedeyes:
I hope you find this DIY useful, anyway.
This is what I bought:
1200 W Circular polisher (Makita 9227?) - £45
Polishing pad - £4
Wet sandpaper 800, 1200 and 2000 grit - £2
Turtle Polishing Compound and scratch remover - £9
Step 1:
If your headlights are mounted on the car, use any kind of masking tape around them to make sure you won't scratch your paint. Also make sure your lights are properly washed.
Step 2:
Wet your sandpaper and keep pouring water at your headlight as your sanding with a bit of force. Make sure you're going side to side rather than making circles and that the paper is always wet. When finished with the second step your lenses should feel a lot smoother and look a bit brighter. If you dry them off you will notice they turn really cloudy, but don't worry.
Continue with the 1200 grip paper for about 10 minutes before you start using the 2000 grit.
Steg 3:
Wet sanding with the 2000 grip paper is the most time consuming step and it's really crucial. Make sure both the headlight and the sandpaper are constantly wet and start sanding until the lenses look like new when they are wet. This will take some time but you want to make sure the sanding scratches are small enough to be polished away. When you're finished the headlights will still look a bit cloudy when they are dry. This is taken care of in the last step.
Steg 4:
Wipe your headlights clean and use a rag to spread some polishing compound evenly on your entire lens (I also applied some on my polishing pad). Then start polishing with your drill/polisher at around 1000-1500rpm until you're satisfied with the result. Make sure you keep moving the machine around to make sure your lens doesn't get too hot. Now you're done! If your lens is still a bit cloudy, just repeat step 3 and 4 again.
Comparison - The left fog light is finished and the right one is soon to be treated
Closeups
Both fog lights wet sanded and polished
Good thread, + rep added.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Lexus IS200 Sport
TRD'd, Lowered, 18" Kahn Rep's, K & N, Denso IK20's, 7" JVC DVD & Satnav, Fog 2 Brake, shiney interior bits
SOLD
ad: - Now a German Drug Dealer:biggrin:
Very nice results, never thought wet & dry would work on glass!!!!
Good thread, + rep added.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Lexus IS200 Sport
TRD'd, Lowered, 18" Kahn Rep's, K & N, Denso IK20's, 7" JVC DVD & Satnav, Fog 2 Brake, shiney interior bits
SOLD
ad: - Now a German Drug Dealer:biggrin:
![[Image: Sig-enginebay.jpg]](http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y179/SteveHammatt/Sig-enginebay.jpg)
IS200 Turbo project now just about complete ! See my thread here and leave your comments.
Now running standalone Syvecs ECU and no stock ECU !
steviewevie
09-10-2017, 01:02 PM #3Wow, awesome results ! :thumbup1:
IS200 Turbo project now just about complete ! See my thread here and leave your comments.
Now running standalone Syvecs ECU and no stock ECU !
My Garage
Supra Build Thread
' Nothing feels quick when your other car has a 1000bhp - JamieP
Quote:A Supra without a spoiler is like a Gypsy's dog without a Nob.
Dan_Turism0
09-10-2017, 01:04 PM #4your work never ceases to amaze me Patrik, absolutely stunning once again
My Garage
Supra Build Thread
' Nothing feels quick when your other car has a 1000bhp - JamieP
Quote:A Supra without a spoiler is like a Gypsy's dog without a Nob.
Mikey is200/s13 they are plastic
Shows the notice i take:blushing:
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Lexus IS200 Sport
TRD'd, Lowered, 18" Kahn Rep's, K & N, Denso IK20's, 7" JVC DVD & Satnav, Fog 2 Brake, shiney interior bits
SOLD
ad: - Now a German Drug Dealer:biggrin:
![[Image: LexuS-Copy.jpg]](http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h204/Sparkystav/LexuS-Copy.jpg)
Read my thread here: The Evolution of my Turbo Lexus from NA-Supercharged-Twin Turbo-Massive Single
Please leave your comments.
Sparkystav
09-10-2017, 01:45 PM #10awesome work mate! top job.
Read my thread here: The Evolution of my Turbo Lexus from NA-Supercharged-Twin Turbo-Massive Single
Please leave your comments.
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