Autopia.org - #1 auto detailing forum for car enthusiasts and professional detailers.
Autopia.org Articles, Editorial & Blogs for Car Detailing Enthusiasts Autopia Reviews: Auto Detailing Car Wax, Polish, Cleaner, Protectant Reviews Detailing Products & Supplies Catalog
Go Back   Autopia.org > PROFESSIONAL AUTO DETAILING > Pro Details Before & After


Welcome to Autopia.org.


You are viewing as a guest.  By joining our FREE community you will be able to interact with others.  Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today.   When you join, this box is replaced with our live chat!

Autopia Marketplace

Reply
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes

Old 11-24-08, 12:03   #1 (permalink)
When quality matters!
 
Premium's Avatar
 
Premium is offline
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 737
Contact: Send a message via AIM to Premium Send a message via Yahoo to Premium
Headlight Restoration.

I just saw another post about headlight restoration and I didn't want to take anything away from his post so I decided that since I have done 3 restorations in the past week I would post mine in this thread. Enjoy!

My usual process is:
Tape around each light
Wetsand with 1000 grit
Optimum Compound with 4" LC Purple foamed wool
Polish and seal with Optimum Poli-seal with 4" LC white pad
Remove tape
Clean front end

2003 VW Jetta 2.0T

Befores







Afters








2004 Saab 95 2.3T

Befores







Afters







I know, I know, I took the finished pics before I cleaned up.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Old 11-25-08, 05:11   #2 (permalink)
Registered User
 
lt1_man's Avatar
 
lt1_man is offline
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Richmond, Va
Posts: 424
Re: Headlight Restoration.

Nice work, I wonder how bright those lights were on the jetta before, they were really oxidized?

Brandon
__________________
Brandon Hey
1995 Firebird Formula (sold)
1989 BMW 325i Alpine White Daily Driver
1989 BMW 325i Spec E30 race car
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Old 11-25-08, 04:10   #3 (permalink)
Advance Paint Correction
 
bufferbarry's Avatar
 
bufferbarry is offline
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,597
Re: Headlight Restoration.

hey for future refrences! to cut your time sanding on real bad one you can wetsand with 600 then 800 then 1500! sounds crazy but 600 cuts down lights fast and makes them more clear just make sure you go over it with 800 or 1000! i also found when i go over 1000 with 2000 the lights buff out faster and quicker! but great work man! maybe my advice will help ya try it!
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Old 11-25-08, 04:46   #4 (permalink)
Registered User
 
Flashtime's Avatar
 
Flashtime is offline
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: North Hills, CA
Posts: 829
Re: Headlight Restoration.

Good advice bufferbarry. Those VW and Dodge headlights are probably the worst
out there.

What many don't seem to realize is that there is (was) a factory applied UV coating
on all plastic/polycarbonate headlights.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Old 11-25-08, 06:15   #5 (permalink)
When quality matters!
 
Premium's Avatar
 
Premium is offline
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 737
Contact: Send a message via AIM to Premium Send a message via Yahoo to Premium
Re: Headlight Restoration.

1000 grit cuts pretty quick when I use my sanding block with it. I just look to take the crud off of the lense and then bring it back. I think it may save a few seconds to use 800 or 600 grit first, I'll give it a try!

When I do a lense as stated in my original post they take me about 15 min each that includes tape and clean up.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:39.


Copyright (c), 1999-2009, Autopia.org - All Rights Reserved

Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.1.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65