Headlight Restoration

[titus]

<strong class=`bbc`>Just in case you may have missed it ...[/b]

One of the other Autopians pointed out to me, a <em class=`bbc`>Current Zaino Group Purchase[/i] going on ... :D


Not sure about the details but there definitely is a Zaino Group Purchase going on (that is going through January 25) at the Acura MDX Forums. Here is a "working" link. http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=12 (`http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=12`)
To get the particulars, go to the Detailing Forum ...the Zaino GP is one of the first threads you should see.
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Sorry about that other dead link :(
Last edited by titus on 01-09-2002 at 11:43 p

[Lemonxxs]

This link is dead too an error pops up.

[titus]

Thanks Guess. That old truncation bug :bounce got me again but a little editing and it`s working now.:p

[turnipgreen]

Actually, the previous post that pointed to the group buy at www.tccoa.com wasn`t exactly false. Turns out the web page that advertised the group buy was taken down on request from Zaino. They are running a group buy but it has to be done through their forums rather than through that web page. If you go to their web page then to their forum page, it is listed under a section for club posts. You have to email a guy to get added to their list.

Group buy particulars are about standard, buy 4 items get a Z7 free.

[C4igrant]

Been reading the forum a lot and thought I would give a headlight restoration project a go. Here is what I did.

I have a 2002 Lexus that has a lot of rock chips in the headlight lenses (fog lights as well). They vary in depth, but are everywhere. So much so that they are reducing the capability of the lights.

Here is what I did to correct the problem:

1. Wash the headlights.
2. Use 600 grit wet sandpaper (let it soak in warm water for 15 minutes) on the lens. Keep the lens wet and move in the same direction. Wipe clean and hit the deeper rock chips as needed.
3. Use 1000 grit wet sandpaper (same steps as above).
4. Use 1500 grit wet sandpaper (same steps as above).
5. Use 3000 grit wet sandpaper (same steps as above).
6. Clean and tape around the lens (using painters tape).
7. Meguiar`s G17216 Ultimate Compound applied generously to the lens.
8. Using an orange cutting pad on my Porter Cable 7424XP (setting 5), I buffed the lens.
9. Cleaned the lens and do steps 7 and 8 again.
10. Clean and examine for scratches.
11. Sprayed the lens with Plexus.
12. Using a soft buffing pad on my PC7424XP, polish the lens.
13. Clean and examine.

All in all, it took about 30 minutes per lens. The results are simply fantastic!

Before pic of the lens
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/archive/Grants_Pics/Lexus_HD_Lens_Before.jpg

Lens after 600gr Wet Sanding
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/archive/Grants_Pics/Lexus_HL_Lens_600.jpg

Lens after 3000gr Wet Sanding
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/archive/Grants_Pics/Lexus_HL_Lens_3000.jpg

Megs UC applied
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/archive/Grants_Pics/Megs_UC.jpg

Orange cutting pad on my PC
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/archive/Grants_Pics/PC_OrangePad.jpg

Plexus (used to polish the lens)
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/archive/Grants_Pics/Plexus.jpg

Buffing pad on my PC
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/archive/Grants_Pics/PC_GreyPad.jpg

Finished result
http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/archive/Grants_Pics/Lexus_HL_Lens_After.jpg



Feedback and ideas on how to better do this are all welcome!

[bmw5541]

Great job on the resto.:clap: The results are great, so if it works, don`t change.

[C4igrant]

Great job on the resto.:clap: The results are great, so if it works, don`t change.

Thanks much!

It did work, but like most of you guys (that do this stuff for a living), I like to work smarter, not harder.

[Street Dreams]

Really excellent work, they look brand new! Im not sure if you needed 600 grit however, they were oxidized but you could still see behind the lens into the light housing itself, some lights are totally smoked and you cant see anything, in that case by all means go for a more aggressive paper like 600 or 800.

Also since your dealing with a surface less delicate than paint you may be able to get away with (and this is just from my experience with headlights) using 1k,2k and 3k grits opposed to going up in 500 grit increments which equates to more steps.

See what works for you and play around but even still the result is fantastic!

[imported_RaskyR1]

Great results! Light look like new now! :)

[PAR Detailing]

They look great! Like StreetDreams said you probably dont need 600 grit but it worked for you. Depending if you are going to be doing this for more lights than just yours, if you are you might want to look into smaller pads with a smaller bp. I like 4 inch. I use them with DA and rotary. That is just more for the akward lights where larger pads dont exactly fit or work well.

But above all, great job on the lights!

Jon

[C4igrant]

They look great! Like StreetDreams said you probably dont need 600 grit but it worked for you. Depending if you are going to be doing this for more lights than just yours, if you are you might want to look into smaller pads with a smaller bp. I like 4 inch. I use them with DA and rotary. That is just more for the akward lights where larger pads dont exactly fit or work well.

But above all, great job on the lights!

Jon

There was a lot deep of pitting in the lens so that is why I went with the 600gr. In the future, I might just try 1000gr and see what that gets me.


A 4" pad would have made life easier. Do you know if anyone makes them for the PCXP?

[CEE DOG]

Looks amazing! Great work, now seal those puppies

[Legacy99]

There was a lot deep of pitting in the lens so that is why I went with the 600gr. In the future, I might just try 1000gr and see what that gets me.


A 4" pad would have made life easier. Do you know if anyone makes them for the PCXP?

Almost everyone carries the 4" pads and backing plate.