DIY: How to make your headlights look brand new
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From: NJ
DIY: How to make your headlights look brand new
I got bored today, so I decided to clean up my headlights again. One is on its way to Virginia, the other is right here beside me.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
- 1500 grit wet sandpaper
- 2000 grit wet sandpaper
- some clean rags / towels
- a bucket of water
- a bottle of plastic polish (I went with Mother's Plastic Polish
)
- a lot of patience
THE PROCESS:
Step #1: Set the headlight(s) down on a secure platform, and under a towel.
You really don't want them to move while you are sanding, especially if you're sanding the edges where the two parts of the headlight meet. The reason for the towel is because you are using wet sandpaper, so it does get a little messy.
Step #2: Take a small piece of the 1500 grit wet sandpaper, dip it in a small bucket of water, shake it a tad to remove some water, then go to work with medium pressure. Re-wet the sandpaper when it starts to slip during your hand motions.
I used a horizontal motion the entire time. I've seen people go up, and down, and diagonally, but I just decided to keep with the lines of the headlight. You will get this sort of look after a while. Don't be alarmed.
Step #3: Wet the headlight down, and then dry completely.
The headlight will be hazy, and cloudy. The benefit to doing this is the fact that you can see your blemishes completely. If there are still any imperfections, just simply sand away until they are gone.
Step #4: Repeat Step #2, but with 2000 grit sandpaper.
Step #5: Wet the headlight down, and then dry completely again.
Step #6: Take a clean towel, and apply a bit of polish to it. Start making passes on the headlight itself. Repeat as you see fit.
Trust me. This part is going to take a while if you don't have a buffer, or anything. The purpose of the polish is to fill in any minor scratches, and then leave the headlight looking clear as a crystal.
Step #7: Using a clean piece of the towel, wipe down the headlight completely in order to remove any excess polish.
Step #8: Step back, and enjoy your work.
LAST WORDS: I may follow up with a coat of wax, or clearcoat just to help preserve their clearness. Now that the clearcoat is gone, the headlights will start to look hazy after two weeks, or so, depending on the weather. A coat of polish once a while will go a long way.
If you any questions, or comments, feel free to share.
Modified by Crono139 at 6:22 PM 4/24/2006
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
- 1500 grit wet sandpaper
- 2000 grit wet sandpaper
- some clean rags / towels
- a bucket of water
- a bottle of plastic polish (I went with Mother's Plastic Polish
)- a lot of patience
THE PROCESS:
Step #1: Set the headlight(s) down on a secure platform, and under a towel.
You really don't want them to move while you are sanding, especially if you're sanding the edges where the two parts of the headlight meet. The reason for the towel is because you are using wet sandpaper, so it does get a little messy.
Step #2: Take a small piece of the 1500 grit wet sandpaper, dip it in a small bucket of water, shake it a tad to remove some water, then go to work with medium pressure. Re-wet the sandpaper when it starts to slip during your hand motions.
I used a horizontal motion the entire time. I've seen people go up, and down, and diagonally, but I just decided to keep with the lines of the headlight. You will get this sort of look after a while. Don't be alarmed.
Step #3: Wet the headlight down, and then dry completely.
The headlight will be hazy, and cloudy. The benefit to doing this is the fact that you can see your blemishes completely. If there are still any imperfections, just simply sand away until they are gone.
Step #4: Repeat Step #2, but with 2000 grit sandpaper.
Step #5: Wet the headlight down, and then dry completely again.
Step #6: Take a clean towel, and apply a bit of polish to it. Start making passes on the headlight itself. Repeat as you see fit.
Trust me. This part is going to take a while if you don't have a buffer, or anything. The purpose of the polish is to fill in any minor scratches, and then leave the headlight looking clear as a crystal.
Step #7: Using a clean piece of the towel, wipe down the headlight completely in order to remove any excess polish.
Step #8: Step back, and enjoy your work.
LAST WORDS: I may follow up with a coat of wax, or clearcoat just to help preserve their clearness. Now that the clearcoat is gone, the headlights will start to look hazy after two weeks, or so, depending on the weather. A coat of polish once a while will go a long way.
If you any questions, or comments, feel free to share.
Modified by Crono139 at 6:22 PM 4/24/2006
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From: NJ
Re: DIY: How to make your headlights look brand new (integraXTC)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by integraXTC »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what no pics? How am I supposed to know you really cleaned them? j/k. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Uploading right now.
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Re: (ZappasOne)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ZappasOne »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so your saying once you do this, they will need to be polished every 2 weeks or so?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Without any clearcoat, or protection on it, yes.
But I truly do think that a coat, or two of regular car wax will do the trick.
Without any clearcoat, or protection on it, yes.
But I truly do think that a coat, or two of regular car wax will do the trick.
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From: NJ
Re: DIY: How to make your headlights look brand new (RACEPAK)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RACEPAK »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">not much of a difference there, but here's a </TD></TR></TABLE>
That's because I did the same process a while back... but not nearly as good as this time around.
People asked for a DIY, so I provided one.
</TD></TR></TABLE>That's because I did the same process a while back... but not nearly as good as this time around.
People asked for a DIY, so I provided one.
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Bay Area, CA
Re: DIY: How to make your headlights look brand new (-Gambit-)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by -Gambit- »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">nice write up </TD></TR></TABLE>
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From: sac
Re: DIY: How to make your headlights look brand new (-Gambit-)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by -Gambit- »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">nice write up </TD></TR></TABLE>
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From: NJ
Re: DIY: How to make your headlights look brand new (schpootypie)
Thanks guys.
Don't have before pics of them on the car. Condensation in one of the headlights put an end to that.
The headlights are being reinstalled as soon as I get the other one back.
Don't have before pics of them on the car. Condensation in one of the headlights put an end to that.
The headlights are being reinstalled as soon as I get the other one back.
