chi123

iTrader: (12)

I can't take any pictures right now since it's dark out but I was basically trying to smooth out my headlights. My headlights are perfectly fine but it felt extremely rough for some reason. So I decide to wet sand it and polish it afterwards. However, I didn't have 1000-2000 grit around and I used 600 grit, big mistake I know, but it's done now. It put too many deep scratches and the polish isn't able to remove it. It's all hazed up and I trying to figure out how to fix it before bringing it to a detailer. Thanks!

supadelish

hmmm... would need to see pics to reallly help you - do you have a orbital buffer at all? I would say a tough polishing compound with a pretty aggressive pad may do the trick...

I was able to go from this:



to this:



just using a semi aggressive paint polish and following up with a super mild polish after... Again, with pics i can definitely help you out much better

chi123

iTrader: (12)

So here is how it looks right now. It's really scuffed up, but scratches are deep enough where my nail can get caught. It's really smooth, just loads of scratches I can't remove.



Here's how my other head light looks, I didn't start on it thankfully. I'm just trying to get rid of those slight blemishes and dots you see.

jfelbab

Meg's makes a Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit. The kit includes various grit sanding papers, a polishing pad and some UV protectant. You may not need to use the sanding papers from the looks of the headlight.

If you have a PC then try using ScratchX or Ultimate Compound and a cutting or polishing pad to do the job. Be sure to tape off the surrounding paint before you start. Finish with a finer polish like SwirlX and apply a sealant to the lens when done.

PaPaHoFF

iTrader: (19)

600 is pretty aggressive. just keep sanding up in grits until the compound can remove the scratches. 600 > 1000 > 1500 > 2000 > 3000

you could probably get away with 1500 being the last step being that most compounds can remove them easily but its all up to you.

Compound them after they are sanded to a higher grit and then polish them afterwards.

Lastly put a sealant on them or wax and continuously wax them monthly or it will return.

UberNoob

yuo probably want to use some sand paper starting at 1000 grit
i think 600 is a bit too aggressive to start with

check out the video here:
http://autoshepherd.com/blog/2011/05...t-restoration/

6sick6

iTrader: (4)

I'm a painter at a body shop and PaPaHoFF has the right answer here. Just keep sanding with diff grit papers til u can polish it out. Start with 800 wet and go 1000 wet to 1200wet to 1500 wet if you're going to use a buffer on em. If no buffer, keep going to 2000wet and see if u can polish it out by hand. If all else fails and u can't seem to get the scratches out, sand em with 800wet and take em to a bodyshop and have them put a couple coats of clear coat on them. They'll be good as new and protected against fading.

UDel

You need to wetsand in stages with less aggressive sand paper 800-1000-1500-2000. You can't go from 600 to compound/polish. 800 is really the most aggressive you want to start with on your headlights and really all you need unless you have a serious scratch your trying to take down. A good buffer like a Porter cable will help when you finish the headlights with a polish or else just do it by hand with a good compound or polish after you use 2000 grit.

jfelbab

Again, those headlights don't look so bad that I'd suggest you need any wet sanding. I'd not just go removing material that might not need to be removed. Remember that the UV protection resides in the top layers. I'd start with a DA, cutting pad and polish and see where it leads. If it doesn't clear the lens then you can go to more aggressive product/solutions. I say this after having done about 80 headlights from Florida and Wisconsin. I'd suggest starting with the least aggressive approach and move up if needed.