3. Sand from right to left with each stroke, and keep the surface wet as you work to help prevent the plastic from being scratched. The results are astounding. How to Restore Faded Hazy or Yellowing Headlights by Wet Sanding and Polishing: Tutorial on how to restore faded, hazy, foggy, or yellowing headlights using the wet sanding and polishing method. Looking at the picture, it really doesn't do it justice. Now you can use a drill or a polisher. I use #105 (with a purple wool 3" pad) on headlights quite a bit, with great results. Just like any paint job if you do not prep the surface correctly the paint won't last. I've attached a photo, the treated side is the passenger side. Begin sanding the surface of the headlights with wet 1000-grit sandpaper. Use a spray bottle to get the surface of the headlight and the sandpaper wet with water. After you wipe. Search from Female Private Parts stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. Use the cleaner directly on the surface. Finally, came their "ceramic" clearcoat. EDIT: I confess after looking at those pictures I noticed that I do out of laziness not polish the side of the lenses as much so the fine cracks and remaining yellowish color .-I will soon try this on the 2008 C30 T5. Worked well on my tsx headlights they were not yellow but had the clearcoat pitting/haze issue. Wet sanding those drips off took maybe three times longer than the original sanding to begin with. Select desired wet sanding sheet: 2500 or 3500 grit. Headlight lens restoration through wet sanding I just had to show these pictures. Keeping the spray bottle in your other hand, give the lens a fresh spray every time you change sanding directions. Attached is a picture after I finished one of the headlights. mark vanvelden. After a ton of wiping, I had clear plastic. Wet sanding is an amazing process that, when done properly, can result in a surface that's as smooth as glass. There are usually two or three wet-sanding steps, gradually increasing grit and improving lens clarity. It would have been nice to have some 1500 and 3000 grit but I was out so, I made do. 3.) Then I compounded and polished the headlights. This is what the headlights look like after 11 years of oxidation. Here I wanted to improve the quality of th… I'm sure it's possible to do a good spray can clear coat job, but you would need to be way more practiced than me. I just did my Mother in laws vehicle using wet sanding with 800, 1500, 2000, and 3000. It's very user friendly and as long as you tape off your headlights… Now the surface was ready for UV coating. Wet the sandpaper and sand using a horizontal motion until no more coarse irregularities can be seen. 2. And I might add, don't be discouraged if you don't remove 100% of all scratches/damage in the lens. 3. Only $50-80 for both Headlight Restoration at your service! I wiped everything with a odorless mineral spirits. Actual Results. As long as you have a power drill, that is probably your best route. See more ideas about headlight restoration, headlights, restoration. Materials: 3M 400 grit wet… 3M's instructions, with photos, are fairly clear, and their kit is easy to use; what's more, I can use the same kit next year. (I used 1500 first to get the scratchs/dirt out then used 2500 to smooth it all out) 4.) Helpful. 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). Knock the dust out of the pad often, to keep it from clogging up. 3m makes an excellent kit for restoring headlights. Of course we need to see how it looks a year down the road. It starts with a 500 grit sanding disc and goes up to 2000 grit. Using the Machine Mart kit (headlight polishing kit £22) polished by hand using the harder of the polishing compounds included. Here are the results of a few hours spent with a drill, 3 different grits of sandpaper, and a lens polisher. You can get better results wet sanding but does make a big difference Read more. The last step is usually a 3,000-grit dry sanding pad. I’m redoing an old video, this was the 10th video I uploaded to YouTube back in March 2011. Reviewed in Canada on September 12, 2020 . Do not get lazy with the wet sanding as this is the most important step. (1 to 1 ratio). Although a headlight restoring process can take some time, depending on the approach you are taking, it is still a more cost-efficient solution than replacing your headlights. Then came two grits of fine sandpaper with wet sanding. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. I didn't want to waste that effort again, so I just used the kit UV coat. Or by hand. Easily sand away faded headlight plastic, bird poop etch marks, deep defects, scratches, and water spots with the peel-and-stick latex sanding sheets. 2. But then you have to do it every few months because the headlights will turn yellow again. Professional Headlight Restoration! I found better and faster results using a power sander and a mothers powerball mini. This method gives permanent results and because of that, it takes a lot of time and effort. Same applies here. Wet sanding can be used on new paint to provide an even finish and remove what is commonly referred to as the “orange peel” effect, where the paint appears to have the texture of an orange skin. So it seems as though this has been a VERY common subject lately. As what happened to my wifes older jeep. Crazy ways the Internet says you can restore your headlights. Wrap the foam block 1000-grit sandpaper and sand the headlight just as you did with the 500-grit. This time, i wet sanded and used t coats ofclear laquer spray and they look fantastic and look brand new. How to clean your car’s headlights Wet sanding your headlights. For heavily weathered headlights: Wrap the sanding block with the 2000 grade sandpaper. Wet sanding is easy with the Hyper Flex Water Sanding System. I've made my own by mixing KleanStrip ordorless mineral spirits with helmsman spar urethane. I had heard about sanding down the headlights to get the haziness out, but I was skeptical it could be very effective. Repeat the process with the 5000 grade sandpaper using a horizontal sanding motion. They wont turn yellow … The protective ceramic coating will finish the job and keep your headlight lenses flawless practically indefinitely. It also does not use as much wet sanding. The second one I just used the car polish, didn't really need the wet sanding. I didn't have all the necessary grit sand paper I needed but, I made do with what I had. You should surely try that first before wet sanding again. So without further adieu, let's get started. After sanding the whole head light, rinse it with water so all the dirt comes off then dry it. On existing paint, it can be used to remove scuffs or shallow scratches or restore the luster of the paint. It will require some wet sanding however as someone applied a clear coat that's starting to check, pit and haze. Dec 26, 2013 - Before and After Photos, Headlight Restoration Process Photos. Just some simple wet sanding. Seeing as how our headlights are known for crapping up, as did mine, I decided to take the time and takes detailed pics of each and every step as well as a video of the process. Then, start to sand the surface of the headlight in horizontal strokes. Size : 16 oz Verified Purchase. Here is what's included in the 3M headlight polishing kit: headlight polish, polishing pad, disc attachment for the power drill, 3000 foam pad, 800 sanding disks, and 500 sanding disks. 4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to use. Mostly used when there is excessive damage to the headlights or household remedies don’t work. Clean the headlights with soap and water. For moderate damage to the polycarbonate lens of plastic headlights, which results in a yellow tinge, sanding out the abrasions that cause this appearance will be necessary to achieve a … Splash some water on the headlights then wet the sand paper and start sanding. Where some might be internal, others might be too deep to justify removing. Wet sanding them with 1500 grit wet and dry (soaked in warm water for 15 mins), using a sanding block. Then I went to 2000 grit and last 2500 grit. Prepare Headlight & Paint Water Sanding Block & Restoration Kit for wet sanding. Wet sand with 2500 grit. Sometimes that will help to spot any remaining sanding marks. The Restoration Process Is Simple with the kit 3M 39045 Headlight Renewal Kit with Protectant.” 1. For that, I recommend sanding with 1000 grit sandpaper, then 1500, then 2000. Peel off half of sanding sheet backing and stick directly onto gray plush foam side of Hyper Flex Block. You can move up to 3000 grit, but its not necessary. Report abuse. Whether you're talking about paint, primer, bare metal or anything in between, your car's body can be smoothed by wet sanding. So I did some headlight restoration as well as wet sanding on an old tailgate. Headlights: I started wet sanding with 800 grit. So after you wetsand and wipe the headlight with a microfiber. • The third image shows the headlight after sanding with a 3000-grit wet-sanding pad and then sealing the lens with the protectant. It looks terrible at this stage, so I am glad I practised first on an old lamp cover! Wet sanding with high grit sandpaper takes out the yellow followed by novus plastic polish to make it nice and clear and then wax it. 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. Fill a spray bottle with soapy water from the pitcher and heavily mist your headlight. The first one I wet sanded with 1500 grit then used a power car buffer with car polish (not rubbing compound, but very fine polishing compound) It turned out about new. I just had to share some of the whacky methods people try to either save a buck. It involves wet sanding the headlight, polishing with multiple brushes and fine polishing the car headlight. A like new appearance, to increase the value and look brand new find anywhere wet sanding headlights results with pictures to. The spray bottle in your other hand, give the lens restore your headlights not prep surface... 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