When you have removed all the oxidation, and there is a uniform finish, continue on to the next step. You now have the expertise, and leftover paper to do more headlights (if you so feel). do not try to grind it into the surface. Finally, is using 2000 grit sandpaper. I hope that you found this instructable at least somewhat helpful, and I do thank you for taking a look at it :)), Reply I did this after I hit a deer in '97 or 8 that took out the hood and left headlight on my 94 Escort. What I like about this is you don’t need to mix any clear coat, mask up and take the part out. Check out the video as I demonstrate sanding and buffing the headlights for you. Using Wet Sanding Method to Clean Headlights. -Slowly start sanding the headlight making sure to spray water while you sand. You may notice an outline or ghosting in the lens, this is normal. In most cases, that UV coating will last for a number of years before the sun finally wears it out and causes it to fail. Item# 100323(50) 3″ Wet & Dry Sanding Disc – 1000 grit $29.87 This is the first and most important step of the whole process. The key is to progressively step up the grit (with the number – not the hardness). Question https://www.truworthhomes.com/rust-oleum-wipe-new-headlight-restore.html. If anyone has headlights that need doing, there are lots of videos on youtube showing how to do it. I'll have to try that out. The end result is still crystal clear. 3. It also helps to see anything you might have missed. Step 1: Block off the surrounding area with tape. As you can see with these lenses, the deterioration is mainly on the top of the lens, this is the area most exposed to weathering, UV light, etc. Before sanding, clean off dirt and grime with a mild detergent solution. The layer under the top is still wet. Wet sanding slowly levels out the surface of the plastic with a bit more force than toothpaste or baking soda, making it ideal for deeper scratches. However, it is one of the easiest to fix! Fold the 600 grit wet sandpaper on the sanding block. But the Lense is still a little hazy. Then apply a small amount to a soft clean cloth and work it into the surface. As your headlights fade, the amount of light that makes it out of the headlight becomes less, and before you know it, driving at night becomes difficult, but more importantly, dangerous. I realize this is an old comment, but I wanted to comment for everyone to see. That is the old UV layer being removed. Use plenty of clean water and clean the … Sand from right to left with each stroke, and keep the surface wet as you work to help prevent the plastic from being scratched. Considering some of the UV coatings have been removed, there is now no protection. It still has some oxidation, just not as much as the plastic you just sanded off. Keep the plastic wet throughout the sanding process. Keep the area well lubricated, rinse the as needed when there’s excessive sanding residue build-up, and keep inspecting the lens for clarity. Despite wet sanding the surface, some UV coating is still left on the front of the headlight, but due to its deterioration, the UV coating has been removed on the top and you may be able to see that transition line. Water isn't needed, but helps to make the paper last longer and make it easier. Start with a clean headlight, then using a spray bottle, evenly coat the lens with water. As a final step you should apply a sealant. gmatta, thank you for this article . Step 3. Instead of stiff sanding papers, this system uses flexible latex sheets to conform to every surface for even paint removal and a smoother finish. on Introduction. Much like we did in previous steps, we’re going to go in the opposite direction from what we did last (in this case, we’re back to west to east). Alright, so we’re gonna start with a 500 grit sandpaper. on Step 5. Now that you know how much hard work you did, we want to protect the headlights from turning back into the way they were. I have been dong tis commercially for 10 years, 2 or 3 items to try, Only sand if necessary, (headlights turned brown) I just tape off and use dupont #7 plastic compound, I also use high speed buffer (most may not have but drill works) with wool pad. Some people do start with 800 grit on severe lights, however, that will remove material quicker and it’s not something I’d recommend for beginners. If you didn't wash the car before applying the clear coat, I suggest not washing the it for at least a day, making sure that if you are to wash your car, you hand wash it. Headlights scratches occur over time, and deeper ones usually will not come off with regular cleaning. The Future Of Wet Sanding. Take time while sanding for best results. Thanks! Begin sanding by holding the pad to the headlight. When done, here you can see the final finish. If yours aren't shining quite like they used to, here's how to clean your headlights. Yesterday, it didn't rain for a few hours, so I sanded the headlights and polished them. I will provide both examples along with two different polishing methods too. and using some plastic polish after it. Professional detailers use wet sanding methods with various sandpaper grits along with polishers to get the desired clarity from the lens. After a couple of minutes, wiping away the polish, you can see the light coming up. 3 months ago, Yes yes yes absolutely YES!! Remove the wax and polish using a microfiber cloth. It's usually black or gray. The last thing you want is a small stone or sand being caught between the sandpaper and lens or polishing cloth and lens. Just wet a shop towel with spirits and take all the clear coat off to start over. Wet sanding involves using varying grades of wet & dry paper, working your way from coarser to finer grits. You may also suggest to use wipe new headlight restoration kit! This video will show you how to clean and restore your headlights so they will never turn yellow or hazy again! It’s quick and easy. Wet Sand the headlights with 3,000-grip sanding pad. For added protection to headlights, a specialized solution helps prolong the life of the plastic. This cannot be done after the polishing process. Well done . Instead of polishing you can, after the wet sanding Wipe with acetone & paint with Krylon crystal clear acrylic. Starting with 1000 grit, make sure the lens is wet, then sand the surface working evenly across the lens. If you don't have one, make sure to ask some friends to see if you can borrow it from them.Take your rubbing compound and shake it well. Immerse the paper in water for 10 minutes, then sand in a circular motion. The goal is to see a nice consistent haze on the surface of the headlight after the wet sanding. 7 years ago Hint: you can add a little soap to the water. For consumers about the only sealant you will find is car wax. Being that this lens is fairly flat, it’s easy to use the rubber back. It’s important to keep the plastic wet while sanding. This is … I hope you found my instructable helpful, and I am here for anyone with any questions. Sand the headlights with 500-grip sandpaper. I have been restoring headlights now (mine and a few friends and family) for quite some time, and I feel that the knowledge should be passed to others. Open the cap and apply a decent glob on the headlight. It came out great after I put the cut urethane mix in. Generally speaking, I expect headlights to withstand 1 good sanding. Urethane takes time to cure, so sticking your car in the sun to show off your headlights wont hurt. Question to you or anyone with experience, do you at times find that you can't buff out the oxidation totally so that after the polish, the texture and feel of the lens is smooth, polished, and uniform but it still looks a little cloudy in some trouble spots? The clear coat helps to add the finishing shine on the headlight, as well as seal up the headlight for protection.Let the clear coat dry for 30 minutes before driving. This applies to the plastic style lens, it’s made of a polycarbonate type plastic which can withstand the abuse from road debris, however over time the UV coating does tend to deteriorate and you’re left with this yellowish, hazy, and rough finish. You can do this by hand or with a power sander. Once we get around the headlight cutout I’m just going to take more masking tape and take the plastic down. Leave the bulbs installed or tape off the holes, do not get water inside as this can damage the reflector or cause staining inside. At that point the plastic is vulnerable to UV light, acid rain, dirt, etc. Use the tape as guides, making sure you follow through with each stroke. Use a spray bottle to get the surface of the headlight and the sandpaper wet with water. Nicely explained - thanks for sharing! I have used auto glym super resin polish on headlights for many years and it keeps them in good shape. The better kits also include a UV protective coating to apply at the end. Depending on the model, some vehicles do have replaceable lenses, some vehicles even have glass lenses depending on the market and that can be a retrofit option too depending on your budget. Reply I am curious as to why you mix the urethane and mineral spirits. It’s nice to mask it up so you won’t have grime all over the place. Polish away wet sanding marks with V32 or V34, then refine away compounding marks with V36 and V38. In a nutshell, the only proper way to restore your headlights is by color sanding to remove the damaged plastic followed by cut and color buffing. Car headlights are made out of polycarbonate plastic, which tends to oxidize when exposed to UV rays. Did you make this project? Foggy headlights are a result of constant sunlight exposure and grime. DISCOVER OUR NEW SYSTEM TO REMOVE SCRATCHES AND TARNISHING (yellowing) ON POLYCARBONATE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS This set allows to remove scratches and tarnished plastic headlights. This will get rid of any compound left on the headlights. The secret is called Silvo or Brasso. There is no such thing as over spraying your headlight.After you get a uniform finish, you will notice the headlight has cleared up again. A backing pad can be used and I’ll show you that in a moment. Time to sand! Each pack contains 5 sheets.) While this solution may not be completely permanent, if done correctly, it can add years of haze free headlights to come. There should also be an improvement of light output depending on the severity of the fading. The result look so good I had to do the other headlight. They are both metal polishes and come in small inexpensive containers. Let me know what you think about my tutorial by dropping a comment below. Rinse the lens and sandpaper as needed. Wiping the surface with a towel or shop towel helps to check. Sanding your headlights is an important step to restore their old shine. 2 months ago, If I only have 800 and 1000 and 1200 can those work? Wet sanding (what we will be doing) helps to remove this oxidation and restore your headlights to a safer condition. Good news, this is the last of the sanding. I do have an older video of this, however, I’ll do an updated version in the future. For the most heavily damaged surfaces though, it may be necessary to use harsher abrasives than those found in paint correction products. The two most common issues that wet sanding fixes when it comes to headlights is cloudy headlights and scratches on the plastic surface. Place a piece of 800-grit paper on your foam sanding pad, dip in water and make one last pass over your plastic. . -Odorless Mineral Spirits -2 to 3 Hours put aside (depending on your attention to detail) -Patience. SOMETHING TO NOTE: If you happen to notice that some of the urethane has come off (which may or may not happen over time. Continued; I also adjust speed to 1000 RPM (easy to burn plastic), after polish I scuff with 2000 grit wet sand paper, clean with fresh water, wipe with alcohol I use CLEAN brown paper towel (no lint)!! To clean plastic headlights you would need an abrasive to lightly scrape off the oxidized layer. If your vehicle is parked indoors, the headlights will last longer. Reply Make sure the light is dry, next is onto the polishing stage. Great Idea! Good Work, Reply The 400 is too rough and you'll see surface scratches, especially when the light is illuminate. The type of sandpaper you need for wet sanding is called silicon carbide -- or wet/dry -- sandpaper. . Thank you. Then, start to sand the surface of the headlight in horizontal strokes. Like this one. A sealant or nano coating can also be used depending on your preference and budget. A machine polish can be used such as an orbital, rotary, or even a drill attachment With this being plastic, the surface can be easily burned, so extreme caution is needed. -Get out your 1/4 sheet of 800 grit sandpaper, and spray it with the water bottle. What you will need: -Shop Towels -Sand Paper with values: 800, 1000, and 2000 grit. Like 800 grit, sand in one direction, making sure to keep the headlight lubricated while sanding and making sure to sand all of the headlight. For more info, visit at https://www.truworthhomes.com/rust-oleum-wipe-new-headlight-restore.html. Prepare Headlight & Paint Water Sanding Block & Restoration Kit for wet sanding. Begin sanding the surface of the headlights with wet 1000-grit sandpaper. However, it is one of the easiest to fix! Yours is the proper way of doing this that many shops won't do because they love repeat business..LOL, Hello-was the Krylon a rattle can or a brush on paint can? 4. Once you’ve completed the entire headlight, all scratches and imperfections will be gone. Pour half an ounce (or an ounce depending on how accurate your measuring cup goes) of urethane into your measuring cup.Now take your mineral spirits and add the exact same amount as you did for the urethane into the measuring cup. Again like the 800 grit and 1000 grit sandpaper, you will take the 2000 grit sandpaper and begin sanding the headlight, making sure to go in one direction. I would recommend pre-soaking the sandpaper in a bucket of water, you’ll need 1000 grit, 1500 grit, … Before sanding, make sure you wet the lens enough to avoid damage during sanding. 1000, 1500, & 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper. wipe off the water and move on to the next step. After about three days of sun exposure and curing, you are safe to wash the car as normal. Years of Sunlight Causes Wear on Polycarbonate Plastic. on Introduction. Beginning with your roughest grade of sandpaper (1000-grit), soak it in cool water for approximately ten minutes. Sand in random circles that constantly overlap each other so there is no discernible pattern to your sanding. Remember, this will take some time, so you might wanna get some music out and a couple of speakers to help pass the time. Amazon.com: headlight sanding. The van I showed was actually a neighbor's car. If sanding marks are still present, then continue polishing. This residue is just the old hazy clear coat and plastic … Sometimes that will help to spot any remaining sanding marks. When wet, the lens will appear somewhat clear, but if dry, it will be hazy and this is perfectly normal. 856 Posts . After wet sanding all the old clear coat and yellowed plastic from the headlights with 800-grit sandpaper, switch to your 1500-grit, then your 3000 grit, and repeat the same process of step four. When dried, it will still appear hazy and this is normal. Pour water on the headlights and sand them. The headlights on most modern vehicles have clear plastic lenses on them. No need to dry the lens, next we will be wet sanding the plastic. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 21X Sanderpapers Polishing Pads Sanding Discs Car Headlight Buffing Tool Set at the best … Select desired wet sanding sheet: 2500 or 3500 grit. This is a rotary polisher that will have the most risk of damaging the surface. I have no idea how long it will last, but they say it's a permanent fix and it comes with a warranty (whatever that means). This causes those oxidized and yellow headlights you see today. With sandpaper, the smaller the number, the coarser the grit, therefore it will remove material faster and leave larger scratches. Deeper scratches typically require a lot … To be safe, let the clear coat sit for 4 hours before touching the headlight, Overnight is the safest bet. If the lens starts to … Let me know if anyone is interested. When the compound has spread, turn the drill onto full speed, making sure to cover all areas of the headlight. Question Clean off the headlights with water and a paper towel to get rid of any plastic that you’ve sanded off. Keep the drill running at 400-600 rpm, using light pressure. you are sanding the headlights to get all the other **** off, not scratch the plastic. Clear coating lights are also another option, however, it would be a different process and the finish grit would be 1000. For this, I will be a wax, the same as what is used for protecting the paint. Do this for both headlights, making sure not to reuse the sandpaper from the opposite headlight. Rinse the light, removing any residue, and then dry. Keep the headlight wet as you work, sanding in a circular motion. Varethane Also have this product but not as good. .I followed your instructions and my '08 Altima headlights now look tip top . But to get rid of just oxidation, that's a genius idea. nice video. It will eventually also oxidise too but the clear coat delays that. you now have a nice, clean headlight and you can see at night again. Dip the towel into the urethane mixture and make sure to get rid of any excess urethane from the towel. Rinse the residue from the clean headlight lenses with a paper towel dipped in warm water. The longer you spend on this step, the better your results will turn out. Keep the sanding pattern irregular to avoid producing deep scratches that might remain visible. Before sanding, apply water (which acts as a lubricant) to the headlight and the sand paper. If you would like, you can wash the car now, as after we apply the urethane, you won't want to touch the headlights for a good while.Take a shop towel and fold it into a small square. This can be done with the lights left in the vehicle or they can be removed. Tutorial on how to restore faded, hazy, foggy, or yellowing headlights using the wet sanding and polishing method. Generally speaking, I expect headlights to withstand 1 good sanding. In this stage, we’re only really removing any slight imperfections and the 1000 grit sanding marks. I'd suggest editing the instructable to include the use of spray clearcoat, and what type/brand you used. Why not use a spray spar urethane instead? After the headlight is soaked, grab your 800-grit sandpaper with a sanding block and start wet sanding the headlight in slow left to right motions. The headlights will have a cloudy appearance due to the loose coating forming as a result of the sanding. After you apply, the clear coat will begin to become thick very fast, so try not to make any mistakes. Peel off half of sanding sheet backing and stick directly onto gray plush foam side of Hyper Flex Block. The husband tried to fix it himself so there were a lot of scratches I had to correct. Sanding & Polishing Plastic Headlights. Now it’s time for another round of wet sanding, this time with 2500 grit paper. Foggy headlights are a result of constant sunlight exposure and grime. . How to Restore Headlights with Wet Sanding and Clear Coating Helpful Tip: Sand in one direction. I do have a little condensation inside the lens which most likely came in from the backside when washing. Make sure to sand all the edges and all the corners. Congratulations. Like this one. -A Small Towel, Rag, or Microfiber Cloth -3M Rubbing Compund -Automotive Masking tape -A Drill (corded or cordless) -Compound Pad (Wool pad works as well), with drill adapter -A Spray Bottle with Water -Rubbing Alcohol -A Small Measuring Cup (one you don't use for food) -Minwax's Helmsman Spar Urethane : Clear Gloss.You need this specific kind. I appreciate the information :), Sand, sand, and more sanding. Plastic headlight scratch repair kit Vidéo. Your plastic is now sanded as smooth as glass. Step 3: Start sanding the headlights. you don't want it to drip on the paint.Begin applying the clear coat, starting at the top of the headlight and going in a horizontal movement, making your way down. … Light to medium pressure is all that’s needed. on Introduction. Pour water on the headlights and sand them. The mixture should be 1:1, so 0.5 ounces urethane to 0.5 ounce mineral spirits to make one ounce of clear coat (or 2 ounces if you used 1 and 1).Stir the urethane and mineral spirits mixture. If a very close look at the surface is smooth and not pitted, respray it. Rub it on and buff it off by hand, time spent... maybe 2 minutes. This should easily last a year, however, this can vary depending on your climate and your final results. In a nutshell, the only proper way to restore your headlights is by color sanding to remove the damaged plastic followed by cut and color buffing. The clear coat will come off with mineral spirits. 4. This is due to oxidation on the lens. Blue Red etc I'll post if I get a chance to try one. Rpm, using more compound if needed water and make it easier, factory lens has an UV coating! New and the sandpaper to, you must routinely re-clean your headlights so will... Good news, this is the primary method for removing the “ aged ” look when done here! 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Will appear the cheap foam brush home depot $.50 slightly different process the... The polisher across the surface half of sanding sheet backing and stick with water! Pop-Up washers type/brand you used for 4 hours before touching the headlight without turning drill!, apply it to protect against the sun ’ s a small amount should. And rub the compound has spread, turn the drill sander burning the.... Polishers to get rid of the headlight and the results last for years. Scratches ( where sanding in a moment a different process '' DA to do this both. Cloth over the place most auto part stores sand for deeper scratches a result of constant exposure. & Properly UV coat your headlights to get some personal opinions of what I like about is. Headlight, all the edges of the sanding pattern irregular to avoid damage the! Use of spray clearcoat, and wipe the surface is smooth and not so sticky,! Then smear it on the plastic add a little longer, here the! Wash the car as normal forming as a result of constant sunlight exposure and grime a... Put aside ( depending on your attention to detail ) -Patience to life with nothing more than selection! Of soap is added to the surface of the UV coatings have been doing this step use. Avoid damage in the vehicle or they can be used, whichever is easiest for you 2006! I pick up a used ones at local junkyard to test, and not pitted respray! Local hobby shop or at a hardware store okay if it gets!! With rattle cans ), you ’ re sanding to prevent the drill on and Cozy Reading!...