Over sanded headlights

[DanielJames]

Hi all,

So last year I didn't really know what I was doing and wanted to polish up my teg headlights. I just got some random sandpaper out the garage, rubbed the **** out of them, then polished them out.

They came out better than before for sure, but as I used what could have been like 40 grit sand paper there are some rather horrible sanding scratches etched into the plastic.

I tried going over it again working my way up from 400 grit to 2500 hoping that I could smooth them out but they remain. I've done this about 3 times now.

So, any advice, or should I just replace them?

Cheers
Dan

 

[_JT]

I think you would have to start with something close to 40 to get the surface as even as possible. 250 is probably too fine to even out the scratches. But I haven't got that much experience with it. Maybe it's just too deep to sand it out. As it takes up a shitload of time, just pick up a new set of lights.

 

[DanielJames]

I think you would have to start with something close to 40 to get the surface as even as possible. 250 is probably too fine to even out the scratches. But I haven't got that much experience with it. Maybe it's just too deep to sand it out. As it takes up a shitload of time, just pick up a new set of lights.

Yeah I think I'll just do that. My fingers still hurt from polishing my mugen manifold lol.

 

[si8pny]

Know anyone with a machine polisher who can give the headlights a quick going over?

 

[DanielJames]

I've got one mate and have buffed the **** out of them, using various compounds and pads.

 

[Biscuit]

40 grit?! That's very harsh.

You need to go through the grades correctly, each level will remove the previous levels marks.

 

[DanielJames]

I've just remembered I've got a 240 grit sanding disc attachment for my polisher. YOLO

 

[EK9andy]

Autosol brings lights up really nice. I always polish my tail lights up and they look like glass.
Work in a good amount in circles until is dries & sounds a bit gritty then take a clean cloth and buff off.
If you've been in the military it's like bulling shoes.

 

[rd55 dun]

Have you got any photos of how your headlights look.

Here are some photos of a set i corrected last year. If your local to the glasgow area i could help you out...maybe save you buying a new set.

 

[King Sir]

Have you got any photos of how your headlights look.

Here are some photos of a set i corrected last year. If your local to the glasgow area i could help you out...maybe save you buying a new set.

wow they came out well

 

[Rkelly]

That's a great improvement!! I Would like to know a solid answer for this too

 

[CR1S]

The ONLY way to do it is, as said, go through the grades slowly. Think of it as a beach.
You take a tractor along it with a cultivating equipment. It's going to make a big mess. And then try evening it out with a rake. It's not going to work. It's the same principles of trying 100 grit and then trying to buff it out.
When I didn't my clio I started with 200 grit and went in about 5 steps to 2500 grit and finished with plastic polish.

Chris

 

[pateras_vtec]

it`s plastic. 40 is like using a knife. 80,120,150,240,320,400,800,1200,1500,2000 is how the grades go, but on plastic i don`t think you can do much unless you have an electric sander.

 

[DanielJames]

This was the first time I did it:

I exaggerate a bit with 40 grit but it was low, perhaps around 180.

I think I'll get my rotary out with a 240 grit sanding pad and work them down down down to that and work back up.