Headlight Restore Challenge (free)
#1
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Hello everyone, I am looking for volunteers to see how long restoring the SC headlights will last with the way i've been doing them at work. Wet Sand 1500, Wet Sand 3000, Buff 1800 RPM, then Wax. I did all my headlights and taillights just to get all the little scratches out and a deep scratch that was in one but for that i used 600 grit on. NOTE: this isn't just buff and good to go which is why i wanna test it, also want to do another set that gets all the wet sanding and Meguiar's PlastX instead of compound to see if ether last longer then the other. Thanks for interest the idea came up when i was telling my boss we should have a headlight restoring service.
**Also looking into a more permanent solution** Recoating headlights, more info later.
To Qualify:
-worse the condition the better
-car usually kept outside and driven
-willing to pull and ship headlights
-willing to post update pics month after month
If you are interested post up pics and send me a pm.
also to note if anything is cracked I will not be able to remove the crack.
![](https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/564676_467696516582138_1958882638_n.jpg)
**Also looking into a more permanent solution** Recoating headlights, more info later.
To Qualify:
-worse the condition the better
-car usually kept outside and driven
-willing to pull and ship headlights
-willing to post update pics month after month
If you are interested post up pics and send me a pm.
also to note if anything is cracked I will not be able to remove the crack.
![](https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/564676_467696516582138_1958882638_n.jpg)
![](https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/547724_467696553248801_2004709100_n.jpg)
Last edited by 1siksc; 07-24-12 at 08:00 PM.
#2
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (17)
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There must be some sort of constant factor for the results to mean anything.
The type of wax or sealant used is going to vastly impact the results. O.C 2.0 put on headlights after a wetsand and polish is going to last 10X longer than a carnauba or regular sealant.etc. etc.
If you are looking for a permanent solution and you guys are a business that will turn out a bunch of these... here's an article you should look at:
http://presidentialdetails.com/under...-pennsylvania/
Another solution is this:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...lant-idea.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...oat-2-0-a.html
The key to the spar/urethane is that you mix them perfectly at 50/50.
The type of wax or sealant used is going to vastly impact the results. O.C 2.0 put on headlights after a wetsand and polish is going to last 10X longer than a carnauba or regular sealant.etc. etc.
If you are looking for a permanent solution and you guys are a business that will turn out a bunch of these... here's an article you should look at:
http://presidentialdetails.com/under...-pennsylvania/
Another solution is this:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...lant-idea.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...oat-2-0-a.html
The key to the spar/urethane is that you mix them perfectly at 50/50.
#7
Pole Position
iTrader: (3)
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There must be some sort of constant factor for the results to mean anything.
The type of wax or sealant used is going to vastly impact the results. O.C 2.0 put on headlights after a wetsand and polish is going to last 10X longer than a carnauba or regular sealant.etc. etc.
If you are looking for a permanent solution and you guys are a business that will turn out a bunch of these... here's an article you should look at:
http://presidentialdetails.com/under...-pennsylvania/
Another solution is this:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...lant-idea.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...oat-2-0-a.html
The key to the spar/urethane is that you mix them perfectly at 50/50.
The type of wax or sealant used is going to vastly impact the results. O.C 2.0 put on headlights after a wetsand and polish is going to last 10X longer than a carnauba or regular sealant.etc. etc.
If you are looking for a permanent solution and you guys are a business that will turn out a bunch of these... here's an article you should look at:
http://presidentialdetails.com/under...-pennsylvania/
Another solution is this:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...lant-idea.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...oat-2-0-a.html
The key to the spar/urethane is that you mix them perfectly at 50/50.
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#8
Lead Lap
iTrader: (2)
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Also may want to note.. Due to where you live may differ the results. Wisonsin sun is nothing compared to here in Florida. I usually have to due mine every 4-5 months. I use 1000 wetsand, 2000 wetsand, then buff with plastix, then polish.
I drive my car everyday to and from work... car bakes in the sun from 7:30am to 6:00pm, then garage kept at night.
I drive my car everyday to and from work... car bakes in the sun from 7:30am to 6:00pm, then garage kept at night.
#9
Pole Position
iTrader: (9)
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Also may want to note.. Due to where you live may differ the results. Wisonsin sun is nothing compared to here in Florida. I usually have to due mine every 4-5 months. I use 1000 wetsand, 2000 wetsand, then buff with plastix, then polish.
I drive my car everyday to and from work... car bakes in the sun from 7:30am to 6:00pm, then garage kept at night.
I drive my car everyday to and from work... car bakes in the sun from 7:30am to 6:00pm, then garage kept at night.
If you were go to Toronto and look at all the cars from early 2000's and late 90's
they do not have this problem
#10
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (17)
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Yep. That's the one. HD sells both the spar and the mineral spirits. Get both from the same manufacturer to avoid any unnecessary issues. You apply a very small amount. The can they sell at HD is about 32oz (if I am not mistaken, haven't looked in a while. That should do like a thousand sets of headlights if not more.
#13
Driver
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Florida
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I did my headlights today:
Initial clean - Hand Rub with paper towel: White wall tire cleaner/Mean Green cleaner 3:1 respectively (takes out yellowing and UV coating)
Then wet sand with 3 inch round sandpaper with foam backing and drill 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 grits.
Wipe down with alcohol to look for imperfections.
Then, apply Helmsmans urethane spar/mineral spirits mix (50/50 mix) with blue shop paper towels.
Here are the results looks better in person:
from this ...
![](http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b171/whensthenextparty/SMOKIN%20ACES/IMAG0704.jpg)
to this...
![](http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b171/whensthenextparty/SMOKIN%20ACES/IMAG0717.jpg)
Initial clean - Hand Rub with paper towel: White wall tire cleaner/Mean Green cleaner 3:1 respectively (takes out yellowing and UV coating)
Then wet sand with 3 inch round sandpaper with foam backing and drill 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 grits.
Wipe down with alcohol to look for imperfections.
Then, apply Helmsmans urethane spar/mineral spirits mix (50/50 mix) with blue shop paper towels.
Here are the results looks better in person:
from this ...
![](http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b171/whensthenextparty/SMOKIN%20ACES/IMAG0704.jpg)
to this...
![](http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b171/whensthenextparty/SMOKIN%20ACES/IMAG0717.jpg)
![](http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b171/whensthenextparty/SMOKIN%20ACES/IMAG0718.jpg)
#14
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
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I did my headlights today:
Initial clean - Hand Rub with paper towel: White wall tire cleaner/Mean Green cleaner 3:1 respectively (takes out yellowing and UV coating)
Then wet sand with 3 inch round sandpaper with foam backing and drill 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 grits.
Wipe down with alcohol to look for imperfections.
Then, apply Helmsmans urethane spar/mineral spirits mix (50/50 mix) with blue shop paper towels.
Here are the results looks better in person:
Initial clean - Hand Rub with paper towel: White wall tire cleaner/Mean Green cleaner 3:1 respectively (takes out yellowing and UV coating)
Then wet sand with 3 inch round sandpaper with foam backing and drill 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 grits.
Wipe down with alcohol to look for imperfections.
Then, apply Helmsmans urethane spar/mineral spirits mix (50/50 mix) with blue shop paper towels.
Here are the results looks better in person: