Just finished clearing my headlights
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: New York
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just finished clearing my headlights
I decided to repair my leaky headlight today and sand out the ugly lines as well. I think it looks alot cleaner and perhaps it gives off a nicer beam pattern. I was thinking about sanding out all the lines on the headlight but thats alot more work. I just sanded out the thin lines by the projector. I know someone else has done this before and thats what inspired me. It came out better than i thought. I didnt paint the housing black since i figured i'd loose lighting quality with out the silver reflective surface and i think it looks better stock.
I threw it in the oven for 7 minutes on 175 degrees. then i pryed it apart with a putty knife. came apart easily as i've done this numerous times before in my previous attemps to clean out the condensation. But this time I bought novus 3 stage plastic polish and it did wonders compared to my previous jobs with scratch x.
I used a 400 600 800 1000 and 1500 grit wetodry sand paper. I let it soak in a bowl of water and dishwashing soap. Then i started sanding away with the 400 grit. took alot of effort and time to get the lines out. After that i increased the grit in that area and did the rest of the headlight with 1000 and 1500 grit.
heres some pictures for your viewing pleasure.
this is after I sanded out all the lines and before the novus plastic polish
a close up of the scratches and dullness after sanding
after applying #3 novus heavy scratch remover
after applying #2 novus fine scratch remover and #1 plastic clean and shine
outside shot
inside shot
and the finished product
I threw it in the oven for 7 minutes on 175 degrees. then i pryed it apart with a putty knife. came apart easily as i've done this numerous times before in my previous attemps to clean out the condensation. But this time I bought novus 3 stage plastic polish and it did wonders compared to my previous jobs with scratch x.
I used a 400 600 800 1000 and 1500 grit wetodry sand paper. I let it soak in a bowl of water and dishwashing soap. Then i started sanding away with the 400 grit. took alot of effort and time to get the lines out. After that i increased the grit in that area and did the rest of the headlight with 1000 and 1500 grit.
heres some pictures for your viewing pleasure.
this is after I sanded out all the lines and before the novus plastic polish
a close up of the scratches and dullness after sanding
after applying #3 novus heavy scratch remover
after applying #2 novus fine scratch remover and #1 plastic clean and shine
outside shot
inside shot
and the finished product
#2
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: New York
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
a shot of back on the car with my hid's on
a closer shot
a close up of the drivers side
and another
and a shot of the passenger side which i havent done yet
a side by side view of a headlight with lines and one with out
next up im probably going to get some x5 projectors and hid's as im not that satisfied with the range and beam pattern of my current setup.
a closer shot
a close up of the drivers side
and another
and a shot of the passenger side which i havent done yet
a side by side view of a headlight with lines and one with out
next up im probably going to get some x5 projectors and hid's as im not that satisfied with the range and beam pattern of my current setup.
#3
Driver
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Indiana
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was thinking of doing the same thing but I wasnt sure how deep those grooves were on the inside of the headlight. Im guessing since its so rounded you did it by hand but how long would you guess it might take to do the entire lens (lineless)? I need a little inside project with all this snow!
#5
Former Sponsor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
looks great, but keep sanding, there is lot's of work to go to be done. It is very nicely coming along, but i did this to mine and was able to remove all scratches with 2000 grit and Meguiars cleaner wax.
#6
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: New York
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
it was quite diffucult removing the thin lines it maybe have take me close to an hour or so to fully remove the thin lines with the 400 grit by hand. It took me 3 hours to complete the whole project. I dont think u can sand out the thick groves with 400 grit by hand easily. maybe try something rougher. I know someone on here has done the whole thing but not sure what he used. My guess he used a power sander or some sort. It sure would be alot easier on the hands.
#7
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: New York
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by L. L. S.
looks great, but keep sanding, there is lot's of work to go to be done. It is very nicely coming along, but i did this to mine and was able to remove all scratches with 2000 grit and Meguiars cleaner wax.
Trending Topics
#12
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: New York
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by pilip99
yeah great job with those headlights, I had the same question as abboushi
#13
Pole Position
Great job. How about a side shot of the car with the tt wheels?
Ed
Ed
#15
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: New York
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by SC400Chinx
Hmm.... question. I bet its just the flash, but the headlights dont look crystal clear?
Just observation
Just observation