Cleaning headlight

[Brendan]

I thought i would clean my n/s headlight so that it looked just like the o/s as this is new. After looking on Utube I decided to wet sand it with 1200, 2000, and finally 3000. I then bought some Plastrx to polish them up by hand. But although the Plastrx has got rid of the fine scratches it will not make them shine. The headlight is slightly dull, not a lot but noticeable.

I get the feeling I should not of wet sanded them but its too late now.

Any ideas..?

 

[Almichie]

Maybe a plastic polish like they use on caravan windows? Hard work but should help

 

[beau]

hmmm i wouldnt of used a 1200 personally, no more abrasive than 2000 imo unless really faded.

any compound will work, i just use rubbing compound with a buffing machine and they come up lovely.

 

[Brendan]

OK. Thanks I will try the rubbing compound.

 

[beau]

you get different grade rubbing compounds though btw, i use either carplan or g10, they are not so harsh, the halfords own one/g3 is alot more abrasive but may still be suited for your needs having used wet&dry on them, only one way to find out!

 

[Geofflyn]

you get different grade rubbing compounds though btw, i use either carplan or g10, they are not so harsh, the halfords own one/g3 is alot more abrasive but may still be suited for your needs having used wet&dry on them, only one way to find out!

I read somewhere that there is a coating on the plastic which prevents them yellowing/dulling for about ten years and once you start the polishing process you go through that coating and dulling/yellowing will occur more rapidly and repeatedly. Anyone else seen that info?

 

[beau]

I read somewhere that there is a coating on the plastic which prevents them yellowing/dulling for about ten years and once you start the polishing process you go through that coating and dulling/yellowing will occur more rapidly and repeatedly. Anyone else seen that info?

i cant say that i have ever read about a coating, but i can defiantly confirm that most plastic headights after about 8 years+ they need polishing every year, but i can also say that as a fiat punto enthusiast i have never had to polish the headlights on a mk2 punto 99-03 (plastic) so there are some out there that just stay fine.

 

[Marti]

Can you still buy these new? I guess there must be incase you break one.

 

[cobratwin]

just some std lacquer should be fine, if you have sanded already , or if you have a dull light use some toothpaste

 

[safrane]

Our Oz frieds are right the covers do have a UV coating on them to stop them becoming dull with age...to see what happens look at any old Astra with unprotected Poly Carbonate covers

 

[SteveM]

As you can see from the first photograph the film protecting the headlamps on my 2000 3200 had started to peel away [

After looking at various options I finally decided to bite the bullet and bought the 3M Headlight restoration kit off ebay having watched a number of demo you tube videos on how to do it.

Rather than try and mask the paintwork I actually chose to remove the headlamp from the cae and work on the workbench.

The 3M kit comprises a disc holder and various sanding discs. The first was P500 grit and you can see the results after the first dry sanding step on the next photo!!

After this step you then repeat with 800 grit and then repeat again with 3M "trizact" Grey P3000 Foam disc with water. This is when you start to believe it might actually work as transparency starts to come through. The final step is to use 3M rubbing compound and as you can see from the final photo the results are pretty impressive.

The kit is primarily aimed at yellowing plastic lights but the first sanding stage was able to remove the remaining film. I guess depending how bad your scratches are you can try this kit or some of the later stages of the process ie the "Trizact" P3000 or the rubbing compound.

Now I have removed the protective film I would welcome suggestions on any protection I should apply - 3M suggest Synthetic Wax protectant

 

[Brendan]

I had a quick go with some Halfords rubbing compound then using the Meguiars PlasRX, this has helped but there is still room for improvement. I think I will get a mop for my drill as polishing by hand seems to take ages

 

[2b1ask1]

Respect to anyone tackling this job; serious pair required... Great results there Steve. I'd suggest regular waxing using a pre-wax cleaner as with the paintwork. I know Carnauba wax offers a great deal of UV protection. It will never be as good ad the original coating but good enough.

 

[roger102]

Yep you need to buff with a mop and cutting compound, that will do the trick. Don't get it too hot or the PC will start to pull against the mop. Slowing and steadily will bring it back.

 

[Brendan]

Yep you need to buff with a mop and cutting compound, that will do the trick. Don't get it too hot or the PC will start to pull against the mop. Slowing and steadily will bring it back.

What is the PC?

 

[roger102]

Sorry, Polycarbonate (PC), it's a soft sticky plastic and doesn't like getting hot.

 

[chippiepilot]

I just use Plexus, its what we use on the aeroplane and works very well
http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/about.html

 

[lovellracing]

Cheers All,
I have found this very useful. Seems like a good cut and polish with a couple of thin coats of 2pack lacquer will do the trick. I reckon the lenses will have to come off to clean the inside. They can easily be bonded back on with a decent sealer. I will give this a go when I get a chance
Ray

 

[Wack61]

Respect to anyone tackling this job; serious pair required... Great results there Steve. I'd suggest regular waxing using a pre-wax cleaner as with the paintwork. I know Carnauba wax offers a great deal of UV protection. It will never be as good ad the original coating but good enough.

I sucked a lot of air through my teeth before buying some autoglym HD wax which has carnauba wax in it, I also have some mothers caranuba I found at my dads house after spending the £40

a friend gave me some acrylic cleaner in a very old can left over from his kit car building days, it's like very fine T cut, after one quick wipe I could see a big difference but picture one above would have terrified me

 

[redsonnylee]

As you can see from the first photograph the film protecting the headlamps on my 2000 3200 had started to peel away View attachment 14398[

After looking at various options I finally decided to bite the bullet and bought the 3M Headlight restoration kit off ebay having watched a number of demo you tube videos on how to do it.

Rather than try and mask the paintwork I actually chose to remove the headlamp from the cae and work on the workbench.

The 3M kit comprises a disc holder and various sanding discs. The first was P500 grit and you can see the results after the first dry sanding step on the next photo!! View attachment 14399

After this step you then repeat with 800 grit and then repeat again with 3M "trizact" Grey P3000 Foam disc with water. This is when you start to believe it might actually work as transparency starts to come through. The final step is to use 3M rubbing compound and as you can see from the final photo the results are pretty impressive. View attachment 14400

The kit is primarily aimed at yellowing plastic lights but the first sanding stage was able to remove the remaining film. I guess depending how bad your scratches are you can try this kit or some of the later stages of the process ie the "Trizact" P3000 or the rubbing compound.

Now I have removed the protective film I would welcome suggestions on any protection I should apply - 3M suggest Synthetic Wax protectant

You have my utmost respect, this type of tasks scares the **** out out of me. Well done on seeing it through.