Headlight troubles [Archive]

RedRooster

07-05-2008, 11:16 AM

Nick-ZX2

07-05-2008, 12:17 PM

So I went to use my powerball on my headlights.(I'm in the middle of restoring em so they are shiny) And there was a small rock in the ball. So now there is patch in my headlight that is sratched up. What should I do? Should I just buy a new headlight? I tried to get yall a picture of it but it wouldn't resize and it wasn't that good of a picture.

Depends on how deep the gauge is. Either way you have to sand it down. If its deep scrathes start off with 60grit to bring the lens down quickly(but don't apply too much cause you'll end up making it worse). Once the lense is even move to 80grit so that you remove the scrathes from the 60 and continue this process untill you get to 1000grit. If done right the lens will no longer have any scrathes on them. BE PATIENT

Sir William

07-05-2008, 12:28 PM

What he said ^

Or if you think that's too much work and you can get one from a yard on the cheap go that route.

RedRooster

07-05-2008, 01:00 PM

Thanks a bunch guys. I'm gonna try and buy some sandspaper this weekend cause I won't have anytime to get to a junkyard. I'll keep ya posted on the progress.

chasingsafety

07-05-2008, 01:03 PM

Nick-ZX2

07-05-2008, 05:53 PM

80 grit? Don't you guys think that is a little rough?
I started with 400 grit, and worked my way to 2000 grit, and I thought 400 was a little tough to start with, I mean, I guess 80 would make the process much faster...

I only recommended the 60-80 because I can't see the extent of the damage, but if he starts off at 400 he'll be there all day with minimal improvement. But if it's a superficial scratch then yes 80 will be overkill.He could also buy a new one at the yard but he won't get the satisfaction of fixing it himself.

RedRooster

07-06-2008, 07:34 AM

Yea the scratch is not deep. It looks like just a surface scratch so I'll work on it this week.

Nick-ZX2

07-06-2008, 06:18 PM

once you sand down the headlight use some of Meguires "PlastiX" to bring back the shine

RedRooster

07-06-2008, 06:40 PM

Yea thats what I was using in the first place. I might just buy new headlights and inner's.

zx2loon

07-08-2008, 07:33 AM

Yea thats what I was using in the first place. I might just buy new headlights and inner's.

I cleaned up my stock headlights and my Zxtuner lights along with 2 sets of stock fog lights and my set of inner turns.

I recomend for the least ammount of time on each light to start with 200 to 400grit. Then move to 800 then to 1000 then if you have anything higher than 1000 to use it last and make sure all peices of sand paper have soaked in dishwashing liquid for at least 30minutes. Helps keep the plastic from sticking to the sandpaper. Make sure you sand side to side not up and down. Each headlight should take about 10minutes to sand. Once finished, Plastix by Meguires is fine for the final polish.

I've done this so many times now, it's actually really easy and simple.

MellowedZX2

07-08-2008, 07:00 PM

Post pics so we can help you better with the scratch.

Joel

Buster

07-09-2008, 09:36 AM

make sure all peices of sand paper have soaked in dishwashing liquid for at least 30minutes. Helps keep the plastic from sticking to the sandpaper.

Hey, that's a great tip. I've never soaked it.

Thanks...going to try that next time I sand my lights.

MellowedZX2

07-09-2008, 06:03 PM

I don't know if this is something that is commonly known but you also need to maintain a good covering of water on the item, i usually keep the water hose running over what ever I am sanding, I have 3200, 3600 and 6000 grit sanding clothe

Joel

Buster

07-10-2008, 10:07 AM

Does 6000 grit even do anything? :D

zx2loon

07-10-2008, 10:27 AM

Does 6000 grit even do anything? :D

Yes it does actually.

At work I use a Micro-Mesh kit for plastics and lexan that has a 6000 grit cloth in it for the aircraft passenger windows. With the kit, you start at 1000 then go to 2000, 3500, 4000 and finally 6000grit. If done right, you might not even need a polishing compound. When getting up to a 6000 grit, it almost polishes up the plasic on it's own...

RedRooster

07-10-2008, 10:34 AM

Im going to autozone today to get a kit that is made for restoring headlights and I know that it includes wetsanding but I don't know what grits they use

Buster

07-10-2008, 11:10 AM

Yes it does actually.

At work I use a Micro-Mesh kit for plastics and lexan that has a 6000 grit cloth in it for the aircraft passenger windows. With the kit, you start at 1000 then go to 2000, 3500, 4000 and finally 6000grit. If done right, you might not even need a polishing compound. When getting up to a 6000 grit, it almost polishes up the plasic on it's own...

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Abrasives___Sheet_Abrasives___Plastics_Sanding_Kit ___plastics_sanding_kit?Args=
http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Abrasives___Sheet_Abrasives___Micro_Mesh_Sanding_K it___micro_mesh?Args=

Might have to look into this kit.

I have a headlight kit but it only goes up to 2,000 grit I believe.

They have 12,000 grit! :D

Buster

07-10-2008, 11:14 AM

Im going to autozone today to get a kit that is made for restoring headlights and I know that it includes wetsanding but I don't know what grits they use

That's the one I have, 2,000 is the max I think.

Anyone ever try this?

http://www.bestheadlightcleaner.com/
Does it actually work?

RedRooster

07-10-2008, 11:45 AM

Does the autozone one work? Next time I go to walmart I'll look for it. I'll be there this weekend.

MellowedZX2

07-14-2008, 08:22 AM

Yes it does actually.

At work I use a Micro-Mesh kit for plastics and lexan that has a 6000 grit cloth in it for the aircraft passenger windows. With the kit, you start at 1000 then go to 2000, 3500, 4000 and finally 6000grit. If done right, you might not even need a polishing compound. When getting up to a 6000 grit, it almost polishes up the plasic on it's own...

You are correct sir, while I was in the Marine Corps I repaired canopies (widsheild) on Harriers, and this is the best thing you can do for plastics. it is great, I can even fix CD's or DVD's.

Joel