Fine Swirls in Headlight
03-26-12, 02:40 PM
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Fine Swirls in Headlight
So long story short, I was involved in an accident in late January and was hit in the front passenger side. My fender, bumper, and headlight were the main areas damaged. After a month of waiting for the body shop to fix everything, I got the car back w/ a new fender, bumper, headlight, and clear bra.
When I stood back and looked at the front of the car, the old headlight stood out like a sore thumb when compared to the new headlight. The old headlight was in good condition, but I wanted to see if I could get it looking as close to the new headlight as possible.
1. My first sttempt was w/ PastX, which didn't really do anything.
2. My second attempt was wet sanding w/ 1500 and 2000 sandpaper and then buffing w/ PlastX. This worked a bit better, but the difference was still apparent.
3. My third attempt was using the 3M Headlight Restoration Kit, w/ a standard drill. This probably did the best job possible, but now I am left w/ very fine swirls in my headlight that annoy the hell out of me. I've come to terms w/ the fact that, aside from buying a new headlight, I am not going to get them to match perfectly. But does anyone have some DIY suggestions on how to remove these swirls???
When I stood back and looked at the front of the car, the old headlight stood out like a sore thumb when compared to the new headlight. The old headlight was in good condition, but I wanted to see if I could get it looking as close to the new headlight as possible.
1. My first sttempt was w/ PastX, which didn't really do anything.
2. My second attempt was wet sanding w/ 1500 and 2000 sandpaper and then buffing w/ PlastX. This worked a bit better, but the difference was still apparent.
3. My third attempt was using the 3M Headlight Restoration Kit, w/ a standard drill. This probably did the best job possible, but now I am left w/ very fine swirls in my headlight that annoy the hell out of me. I've come to terms w/ the fact that, aside from buying a new headlight, I am not going to get them to match perfectly. But does anyone have some DIY suggestions on how to remove these swirls???
03-27-12, 03:22 PM
#2
From my experience, accessing a random orbital buffer like a Porter Cable is probably the best method. I never liked the drill method for reasons you've discovered unfortunately. If you can find it, try increasing the grit to 3000 and try the drill again. Those other scratches could be coming from the previous grits not being sanded out so do it carefully again in opposite directions
03-27-12, 10:45 PM
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For pitting on the lens, it takes a lower grit obviously but its the same idea. Start low and work up etc etc
Sealing it is usually a nice healthy coat of OptiCoat 2.0 to prevent future hazing/yellowing for a very long time. Steps can be varied immensely but overall its the same process
03-28-12, 02:51 AM
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For NO pitting on the lens, I start by hand with 2000>2500>3000 grit sandpaper in that order. Each grit has up/down, or side/side variation to ensure I'm removing the previous lines that I see. Then I take a 3in orange Lake Country pad with a 3in backing plate on speed 5 with Menzerna PowerGloss or Meguiars M105. After that combo, I use a white Lake Country pad with Menzerna Power Finish. That usually brings it almost 99% line free to my eyes. If I see any lines with the lights on, I spot finish accordingly.
For pitting on the lens, it takes a lower grit obviously but its the same idea. Start low and work up etc etc
Sealing it is usually a nice healthy coat of OptiCoat 2.0 to prevent future hazing/yellowing for a very long time. Steps can be varied immensely but overall its the same process
For pitting on the lens, it takes a lower grit obviously but its the same idea. Start low and work up etc etc
Sealing it is usually a nice healthy coat of OptiCoat 2.0 to prevent future hazing/yellowing for a very long time. Steps can be varied immensely but overall its the same process
How long do you sand for on each paper? (roughly)
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03-29-12, 11:40 AM
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Sorry if iam to late but i just did mine not to long ago. First i wet sanded my headlight with 1000 grit, side to side motion then i hit it with 2000 hit, up and down motion. Then i went ahead and buffer my headlight out with Meguiars Ultimate Compound intill i came clear. Then i used my Mother's Restoration Kit compound at the end and all the fine swirls came out for me.
This only with Meguiars Compond. (left side of the headlight)
This only with Meguiars Compond. (left side of the headlight)
03-29-12, 09:56 PM
#9
A tip though, take a normal sponge, wrap it in sandpaper, and now you have a "foam" sanding block lol
I found mine at Autozone. If you can't, then it might be worth going online and buying the correct grits. I typically spend about 10min per side if I'm doing it quick. If I'm going full OCD and spot removal, it may take longer
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