Headlamp Lense Repair - involving Mirka sanding discs...

P

Preachers Sheets

New member
My fathers van has not been detailed since 1998. I am sure the ABC system on this van would be able to tell me for sure if it is anygood.



I don't want to buy the entire set unless I really like it so I was looking for someone to send me a sample (enough for a 1998 Chevy Express van).



If you can help; great. If not, I'll live another day...





:bounce
 
Our Corolla's headlamps again have the common fading and yellowing issue, and I was waiting for a chance to try the Mirka Abralon 3" sanding discs, 1000 & 2000 grit.

Process:
- wetsand each headlamp with a 1000 grit disc via UDM - speeds 3-5/6
- wetsand each headlamp with a 2000 grit disc via UDM - speeds 3-5/6

- compounded each lamp via Makita rotary, a 3.5" PFW pad, and M105 (original formula)
- final polish each lamp via Makita rotary, a 3.5" Uber Green pad, and M205
- as time and daylight were running out, a quick spritz of Aquawax to hold onto the freshness until I have a chance in the near future to try a "custom" sealant.

*NOTES*
- the quality of the Mirka discs is very good. I was able to only use one disc of each grit for both lamps.
- I used one of my Kwazar bottles that I picked up during my recent trip to Poland, it was very handy having the double spray action to help keep sanding smoothly :thumbup:
- Once the job was complete, the lamps did indeed look brand new again. :rockon:

I took a couple quick pictures during the process.
before.jpg

after.jpg

comparison.jpg
 
Not long at all really... The entire process, taking my time day... 30-45minutes. But ofcourse it all depends on the initial condition of the lamps you are working with. I have compounded these lamps before, so this time around was removing the yellowing, etc...
 
I took these pictures with my cell phone during the headlamp resto. These photos show a better contrast comparing the before and after.

after2.jpg


after3.jpg
 
Here are a few pictures of the headlamp refinish I performed a few days ago on a '00 Ford Taurus that I detailed earlier this year. The owner had previously secured a pair of "Centennial" headlamps that came on certain 2003 model year Taurus's. The owner had previously attempted to refresh the lights, but they still looked tired and had some minor yellowing and loss of clarity.

*Same process of stated on the prior headlamp refinish, although worth noting, the plastic on these lenses was harder and they expired the sanding discs at a faster rate than on the Corolla resto.

Enjoy!

Taurus1.jpg


Taurus2.jpg


Taurus3.jpg


Taurus4.jpg


Taurus5.jpg
 
I just tried this out on a '97 Taurus that was being cleaned up for sale as a budget used car.

-Wetsanded by hand with 1000 grit 3M paper
-Wetsanded by hand with 2000 grit 3M paper
-Compounded with 4" HT Cyan/M105 @ speed 6 via PC

Before,

4779250634_97df3a8dca.jpg



After,

4778616849_5f045e9218.jpg


:clap:
 
michakaveli said:
Our Corolla's headlamps again have the common fading and yellowing issue, and I was waiting for a chance to try the Mirka Abralon 3" sanding discs, 1000 & 2000 grit.

Process:
- wetsand each headlamp with a 1000 grit disc via UDM - speeds 3-5/6
- wetsand each headlamp with a 2000 grit disc via UDM - speeds 3-5/6

- compounded each lamp via Makita rotary, a 3.5" PFW pad, and M105 (original formula)
- final polish each lamp via Makita rotary, a 3.5" Uber Green pad, and M205
- as time and daylight were running out, a quick spritz of Aquawax to hold onto the freshness until I have a chance in the near future to try a "custom" sealant.

*NOTES*
- the quality of the Mirka discs is very good. I was able to only use one disc of each grit for both lamps.
- I used one of my Kwazar bottles that I picked up during my recent trip to Poland, it was very handy having the double spray action to help keep sanding smoothly :thumbup:
- Once the job was complete, the lamps did indeed look brand new again. :rockon:

I took a couple quick pictures during the process.
before.jpg

after.jpg

comparison.jpg
Click to expand...

Very nice, now you need to work on those rock chips.
 
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