I WANNA POLISH MY JDM ITR HEADLIGHTS..WHAT SHOULD I USE
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From: Jaffrey, NH, USA
Re: I WANNA POLISH MY JDM ITR HEADLIGHTS..WHAT SHOULD I USE (1999CivicSi)
you can wetsand with 1000 or better and then use a diamond cut asbrasive and a glaze if you have access to a high speed buffer. that will bring the shine back to them.
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Re: I WANNA POLISH MY JDM ITR HEADLIGHTS..WHAT SHOULD I USE (blkacgsr)
i would buy plastic coating, they sell it at the automotive store,
if wax isn't enough most likely their gonners, i dont like wetsands the headlights.
if wax isn't enough most likely their gonners, i dont like wetsands the headlights.
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Nowhere and Everywhere
You'll need to wetsand first. I typically start with 1200 and go up to 2000. If the 1200 doesn't get it clean enough, I'll drop down to 800, then 1000, then 1200 and go on up.
After finishing with the 2000 the lenses will look very foggy due to the 2000-grit scratches. I use my Porter Cable buffer with Meguiar's Dual Action Cleaner Polish on a yellow polishing pad to remove the haze, then a mild polish, and finish up with wax.
A couple of headlight details I've done:
On top is how it looked before, on bottom is after wetsanding:
Close-up of the before and after product:
Prelude headlight before and after:
After finishing with the 2000 the lenses will look very foggy due to the 2000-grit scratches. I use my Porter Cable buffer with Meguiar's Dual Action Cleaner Polish on a yellow polishing pad to remove the haze, then a mild polish, and finish up with wax.
A couple of headlight details I've done:
On top is how it looked before, on bottom is after wetsanding:
Close-up of the before and after product:
Prelude headlight before and after:
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From: Global
Re: (PatrickGSR94)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PatrickGSR94 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was never able to get satisfactory results by hand after wet sanding. You really need a machine to get best results. 
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yes sir , you are correct
</TD></TR></TABLE>Yes sir , you are correct
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Honolulu, HI, USA
Re: (PatrickGSR94)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PatrickGSR94 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was never able to get satisfactory results by hand after wet sanding. You really need a machine to get best results. </TD></TR></TABLE>amen to that. i used a basic random orbital buffer and it made it look like brand new.
</TD></TR></TABLE>amen to that. i used a basic random orbital buffer and it made it look like brand new.
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From: Orange County
Re: (qfast817)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by qfast817 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">scratch out works good on it</TD></TR></TABLE>
This is true. It's a temporary fix for me though. It fades again after a couple months
This is true. It's a temporary fix for me though. It fades again after a couple months
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,465
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From: RAIN OR SHINE, WA
Re: (PatrickGSR94)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PatrickGSR94 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You'll need to wetsand first. I typically start with 1200 and go up to 2000. If the 1200 doesn't get it clean enough, I'll drop down to 800, then 1000, then 1200 and go on up.
After finishing with the 2000 the lenses will look very foggy due to the 2000-grit scratches. I use my Porter Cable buffer with Meguiar's Dual Action Cleaner Polish on a yellow polishing pad to remove the haze, then a mild polish, and finish up with wax.
A couple of headlight details I've done:
On top is how it looked before, on bottom is after wetsanding:
Close-up of the before and after product:
Prelude headlight before and after:
</TD></TR></TABLE>
After finishing with the 2000 the lenses will look very foggy due to the 2000-grit scratches. I use my Porter Cable buffer with Meguiar's Dual Action Cleaner Polish on a yellow polishing pad to remove the haze, then a mild polish, and finish up with wax.
A couple of headlight details I've done:
On top is how it looked before, on bottom is after wetsanding:
Close-up of the before and after product:
Prelude headlight before and after:
</TD></TR></TABLE>
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Dallas, Tx, US
Re: (qfast817)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by qfast817 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">scratch out works good on it</TD></TR></TABLE>
Works real good and only takes a few minutes
Works real good and only takes a few minutes
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: ANAcrime, California, U.s
Re: (aaronISthrowed)
Ok i have a question for all of those who wet sand their lights. wouldnt sanding remove the original coat of clear for good? and if you do use sometype of polish, wouldnt fade after a while just like all other polishes? and end up back were u started with faded headlights? 
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From: Dallas, Tx, US
Re: (jDM_STyLe_Dc2)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jDM_STyLe_Dc2 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ok i have a question for all of those who wet sand their lights. wouldnt sanding remove the original coat of clear for good? and if you do use sometype of polish, wouldnt fade after a while just like all other polishes? and end up back were u started with faded headlights? </TD></TR></TABLE>
Maybe after a long time, but wetsanding also removes the scratches and little marks.
</TD></TR></TABLE>Maybe after a long time, but wetsanding also removes the scratches and little marks.
Semper Fidelis
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,324
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From: Middle TN
Re: I WANNA POLISH MY JDM ITR HEADLIGHTS..WHAT SHOULD I USE (RGK500)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by markEj »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> you can try Meguire's Plastx. ive tried it on my itr headlights, but mine are faded pretty bad already.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I used this stuff tonight on my car, works great.
</TD></TR></TABLE>I used this stuff tonight on my car, works great.
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From: boston, MA, USA
Re: I WANNA POLISH MY JDM ITR HEADLIGHTS..WHAT SHOULD I USE (SlammedDC2)
i went in to advanced auto parts and asked them for my options to do that to my camrys headlight and they sold me this little packet for $20 with sand paper and a #1 liquid to sand it with then a polisher it seemed to work good i guess but it is xpensive if u think about it.
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Nowhere and Everywhere
Re: (jDM_STyLe_Dc2)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jDM_STyLe_Dc2 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ok i have a question for all of those who wet sand their lights. wouldnt sanding remove the original coat of clear for good? and if you do use sometype of polish, wouldnt fade after a while just like all other polishes? and end up back were u started with faded headlights? </TD></TR></TABLE>
I've never had that problem. Last time I wetsanded and polished my headlights well over a year ago, I applied some of that 3M clear film which is like a very thick clear coat. It's been over a year since I did that and the film has not cracked or faded or yellowed at all. The film takes the hit from any road debris and can be replaced whenever you like.
I also polished my friend's VW GTi headlights about a year and a half ago and we did not put any kinid of film on it, and his still look fine.
</TD></TR></TABLE>I've never had that problem. Last time I wetsanded and polished my headlights well over a year ago, I applied some of that 3M clear film which is like a very thick clear coat. It's been over a year since I did that and the film has not cracked or faded or yellowed at all. The film takes the hit from any road debris and can be replaced whenever you like.
I also polished my friend's VW GTi headlights about a year and a half ago and we did not put any kinid of film on it, and his still look fine.
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From: Boost is good
Re: (PatrickGSR94)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PatrickGSR94 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I've never had that problem. Last time I wetsanded and polished my headlights well over a year ago, I applied some of that 3M clear film which is like a very thick clear coat. It's been over a year since I did that and the film has not cracked or faded or yellowed at all. The film takes the hit from any road debris and can be replaced whenever you like.
I also polished my friend's VW GTi headlights about a year and a half ago and we did not put any kinid of film on it, and his still look fine.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Out of all headlights Ive done so far. It came out great, but it will fade back to blurry in few months. Yea, its ugly.
Good idea on the M3 film though, I will try that. Instead of getting them clear coated (paint).
I've never had that problem. Last time I wetsanded and polished my headlights well over a year ago, I applied some of that 3M clear film which is like a very thick clear coat. It's been over a year since I did that and the film has not cracked or faded or yellowed at all. The film takes the hit from any road debris and can be replaced whenever you like.
I also polished my friend's VW GTi headlights about a year and a half ago and we did not put any kinid of film on it, and his still look fine.
</TD></TR></TABLE>Out of all headlights Ive done so far. It came out great, but it will fade back to blurry in few months. Yea, its ugly.
Good idea on the M3 film though, I will try that. Instead of getting them clear coated (paint).