Headlight Restoration.

[Garry Dean]

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



http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr189/rcracer81/P1040627.jpg



http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr189/rcracer81/P1040628.jpg



http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr189/rcracer81/P1040629.jpg



Afters



http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr189/rcracer81/P1040632.jpg



http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr189/rcracer81/P1040631.jpg



http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr189/rcracer81/P1040630.jpg





2004 Saab 95 2.3T



Befores



http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr189/rcracer81/P1040666.jpg



http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr189/rcracer81/P1040665.jpg



http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr189/rcracer81/P1040664.jpg



Afters



http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr189/rcracer81/P1040679.jpg



http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr189/rcracer81/P1040677.jpg



http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr189/rcracer81/P1040678.jpg



I know, I know, I took the finished pics before I cleaned up.

[somebody]

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



Brandon

[Barry Theal]

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!

[Flashtime]

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.

[Garry Dean]

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.