Polishing headlights - What to use?

[schoi]

Dad's got a 2002 ML320, and there's some sort of extremely stubborn film on the lenses. It feels like it's on the outside and is slightly brownish/cloudy.



What sort of products might one try to remove that crap? There's no rotary available, but I do have a 7424, and he has a Dremel with polishing pads, I think. Not terribly sure what products to try; all we know thus far is that a 7424 with some run-o'-the-mill plastic polish isn't doing a damn thing.

 

[BobD]

I would not use the dremel because you might melt right through the lights. I usually use my PC and the SSR line.

 

[imported_NT2SHBBY]

on hazy headlights, I'd personally wetsand with 3000 grit sandpaper and then follow up with some Mother's Plastic polish and maybe some AIO/SG next

 

[RCBuddha]

I'd try Meguiar's PlastX by hand first, then some Meguiar's or Mother's plastic polish as a followup. I just cleared up some hazy/brownish headlights on a workvan recently with great success using that combo.

 

[Eliot Ness]

Here is an old thread by Sean (GSRstilez) that might help you out:



http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=38972&highlight=plastic

 

[percynjpn]

(For tail lights too) I use 1Z PP with an orange pad, followed by 1Z MP with a white pad, and the results are always excellent! I've never found any real need for a dedicated plastic polish for light covers.

 

[ericthebikeman]

Using a dremmel will build up heat Fast and melt through any plastic, so I'd avoid it. I've had good results with ZPC and a PC set to 6 with megs pads, this won't remove pitting but it took care of the yellow haze.

 

[admac]

plus, any sort of bit you could use on a dremel tool would be extremely small relative to the surface area of the headlight lens. you'd likely introduce all kinds of weird wavy distortions in the surface.

 

[eShine]

If you have a PC you are ahead of the game. Try to get the lights as clear as you can using only pure abrasive products. No fillers or resins. Compounds with cleaners in them are ok too. Many people polish their lights with products like ScratchX and months later they yellow again. The heat from the lights and the fillers cause the yellowing. I would only use a pure sealant on them afterwards for protection. Just get a light cutting pad on that pc and an abrasive compound and you will be amazed how easy it is. Here is a set I did last week. It took me 30 min for the pair. Being a vendor I dont want to spam the products I used, so please dont ask! LOL

 

[sneek]

lol i hope you used meguiars

plastx clears yellow lights quickly and easily i think plastx can be used by hand PC, rotary and even by hand

 

[EdLancer]

I use Meg's #82 on PC with white polishing pad and it does wonders !

 

[jvriii1942]

I have been restoring headlights for about 3 years for car dealerships around town. First I tried some products from the net they were a complete waste of money. Depending on the type of damage or hazing and how hard the plastic is determines what steps I would take. After alot of trial and error wet sanding and buffing worked the best followed by a clear sealant.



For a lense that is yellow and full of pits:

I used 400 grit wet dry paper (3m). Then step up each grit 600, 800, 1,000, 1,500 grits followed by 3m perfect it compound and polish. To buff use a 3 inch wool buffing pad on a drill (dont burn the plastic) a 3 inch black foam waffle pad to polish.

For lights like eShine I would start with 1,500 or maybe 1,000 grit

I hope this will help any questions or tips feel free to send me a pm

 

[wannafbody]

Nicsand Optical discs at Advance Auto- attaches to a drill