sleeper408

iTrader: (6)

Hello all,
I picked up some LS430 retros for my 2GS. One of the outer lens has a deep scratch. Do you think wetsanding and some rubbing compound/polish would get rid of most of it? I am afraid that since the scratch is deep, if I wetsand it may be thinning out the plastic lens too much. My plan was to start at 1500 then work my way up to 2000, then use rubbing compound, then polish. What do you think? Any other suggestions? Just leave it as is?

I plan on applying MotoSkin's clear headlight film afterwards to prevent oxidation and new scratches.

Thanks,
Theo

Here are the photos:

phongh

iTrader: (5)

try 2000, then 2500. then buff it out.

MoeMistry

Have you tried just polishing, or if that doesn't help, compounding first? Those scratches look like they're on the surface. Remember, path of least resistance first. Sanding should always be a last resort.

Olskool53

Work faster and smarter.......If the scratch is deep enough that when you run your fingernail over it and it catches I recommend that you work with a more aggressive sandpaper. I recently restored some BMW M6 headlight lenses that were vandelized by someones keys, and they left some hard gauges. I used the following....

500
800
1000
3000

Then rotary machine clean and polish, then wax or seal.

sleeper408

iTrader: (6)

Thanks for the input all. I ended up wetsanding first with 1500 then worked to 2000. I could not find 2500 grit.

MoeMistry

Try going to a body shop supply store that sells Meguiar's paper...it goes up to 3000

exvelocity

as someone already mentioneed,if it's deep enough cratch that your fingernail catches int it, you'll need 600,800,1000,1200 and 1500, anything finer after that is waste of time,obviuosly it depends on polishing compound and your experience, but you must have a polisher with foam pad , if you plan on polishing by hand then you will need to go to about 2500-3000.