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  1. #1

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    Headlight Restoration

    I apologize in Advance if pictures dont show up clear (uploading from my Iphone) and also Apologize if posted in wrong catagory.

    This will be my 1st attempt at a write up so please bare with me


    Items needed:
    1000 Grit wet/Dry Sand Paper
    1500 Grit wet/dry Sand Paper
    2000 Grit wet/dry Sand Paper
    Painters tape/masking tape
    rubbing compound (I use 3m for my headlight restorations)
    Plast-X
    a buffer/polisher (PC 7424XP with 4" pad for me)
    some form of lubricant for sand paper (i use a spray bottle of water with a few drops of dish soap)

    Step 1: You want to tape off ANY paint surrounding the headlights (i use 2" painters tape and works pretty good)
    **if you have tight angles

    Step 2: spray the headlight with the lubricant and take the 1000 Grit Sand Paper and start working your way around the Headlight, as with buffing, go in a left to right, up and down motion until entire headlight has a nice even cloudyness effect to it. Every so often spray the headlight down with lubricant


    After 1000 Grit sanding


    Step 3: Repeat Step 2 with the 1500 Grit and keeping to sand paper wet and continue the left/right, up/down motion.

    After 1500 Grit Sanding


    Step 4: You Guessed it Repeat Step 2 with the 2000 Grit Paper. I personally spend more time on this step making sure to get every little piece sanded evenly.

    After 2000 Grit


    Step 5: liberally spray your headlight and wipe with a clean towel. Excess residue is wiped away grab your pad and compound. I use Adams Polishes Green 4" focal pad for the compound. Put a few drops on your pad and begin working in the product. My PC i keep at setting 4 (works decent for me). Once you get product worked in and you do a few passes. You want to switch pads. I use Adams 4" White Focal pad for this step. Apply 5-6 pea size drops of the Plast-X to your pad and work product in, doing the same motion as before, left/right, up/down.

    At this point you want to wipe off your headlight and you will beable to see if you need to work it a little work with the compound or Plast-X

    headlight After Final Step



    As you can see the results are Night And Day. I`ve only done this once before on this vehicle 4yrs ago when i purchased it so it is a long lasting fix
    Car was done this past Sunday And Took about an hr and a half

    I apologize again if formatting is off or explination is confusing lack of sleep and also you will notice i did not tape off my headlight... My pathfinder needs a new front bumper so i wasnt worried about damaging the paint

    if anyone has any questions feel free to PM/Email Me
    email: jslatts@hotmail.com
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    Thanks mjlinane thanked for this post

  2. #2
    My name is Mike mjlinane's Avatar
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    Re: Headlight Restoration

    Excellent write-up/tutorial!!

  3. #3

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    Re: Headlight Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by mjlinane View Post
    Excellent write-up/tutorial!!
    Thank you

    for anyone wanting to try this. I recommend not washing you car til after you are done. The gunk/muck (technical term) that comes off when sanding the headlights is messy. So plan on washing you car/truck afterwards
    Owner/Operator Of Berks Auto Detailing

  4. #4
    Autopia Specialist RaysWay's Avatar
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    Re: Headlight Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by jslatts View Post
    Thank you

    for anyone wanting to try this. I recommend not washing you car til after you are done. The gunk/muck (technical term) that comes off when sanding the headlights is messy. So plan on washing you car/truck afterwards
    Great job and great tip. I always start with the headlights now before washing the car or detailing the engine bay. There`s nothing worse than completing a detail then popping the hood to see if the engine needs a quick wipe down and noticing polish sling and residue all over the engine.

    Those headlights came out perfect. I would recommend using a thicker tape like 3M 233+ Automotive Masking Tape for protecting around the headlights. I use thinner tape (CarPro Masking Tape) to tape off any trim, but I want the thickest tape to buffer against any sandpaper damage. If you want to extra careful on a pricey car or on tricky headlights, you can add multiple layers of tape too.

    Well done Jslatts! Just stop apologizing

  5. #5

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    Re: Headlight Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by Vega@Autopia View Post
    Great job and great tip. I always start with the headlights now before washing the car or detailing the engine bay. There`s nothing worse than completing a detail then popping the hood to see if the engine needs a quick wipe down and noticing polish sling and residue all over the engine.

    Those headlights came out perfect. I would recommend using a thicker tape like 3M 233+ Automotive Masking Tape for protecting around the headlights. I use thinner tape (CarPro Masking Tape) to tape off any trim, but I want the thickest tape to buffer against any sandpaper damage. If you want to extra careful on a pricey car or on tricky headlights, you can add multiple layers of tape too.

    Well done Jslatts! Just stop apologizing
    Hehe ok

    and on Customers Cars i do double layered and double width. As i said front bumper on my car is a lost cause (GF backed into it so its getting replaced soon)
    Owner/Operator Of Berks Auto Detailing
    Likes RaysWay liked this post

  6. #6

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    Re: Headlight Restoration

    Do you use your PC for the sanding steps or do this by hand?

  7. #7

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    Re: Headlight Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by Bunjy View Post
    Do you use your PC for the sanding steps or do this by hand?
    I do the sanding by hand and PC just for final steps for compound and plast-X
    Owner/Operator Of Berks Auto Detailing

  8. #8
    Mike The Guz's Avatar
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    Re: Headlight Restoration

    Came out great. Meguiar`s makes a headlight prtoectant that works well after plastx. It will add a little more protection. Just a thought if you want to use something cheap and available locally. I found some at walmart long ago. Does a good job for what it is.
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  9. #9

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    Re: Headlight Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by The Guz View Post
    Came out great. Meguiar`s makes a headlight prtoectant that works well after plastx. It will add a little more protection. Just a thought if you want to use something cheap and available locally. I found some at walmart long ago. Does a good job for what it is.
    I actually use paste wax on them. But may look into that
    Owner/Operator Of Berks Auto Detailing
    Likes The Guz liked this post

 

 

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