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Sanded Headlights. Need Help

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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 08:14 PM
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Sanded Headlights. Need Help

They didnt come out all that good. I followed this write up - http://forums.nycmaximas.org/showthread.php?t=6432

I started with 400, then 600, 800, 1000, and 1500. After that I used the Novus product from 3 to 1 and worked on them for a pretty long time. They didnt come up all that clear.

I have the 97+99 lights i bought off a .org member that are AE'd really nicely.

Any feedback from guys that have done it ??

-matt
Old Apr 21, 2006 | 08:42 PM
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Got any pics of them?
Old Apr 21, 2006 | 08:45 PM
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maybe it's because you didn't use the 2000??
Old Apr 21, 2006 | 08:49 PM
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i would finish with something finer. i used a 2000 as my final step and wished i had found 2500. i used quite a bit of plastx (plastic polish and cleaner) before i saw any real results. i also noticed it worked better when i applied the polish in the direction i used the sand paper and removed it in a circular fashion. i know that write up mentioned keeping the paper wet but i would keep a spray bottle of water to spray on the headlights.
Old Apr 21, 2006 | 08:54 PM
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Yea I thought about using something a little finer but I figured 2000 is like rubbing paper on the headlights. Seems a bit pointless to me. Once you get to the NOvus, thats like your polishing with the 2000....

I guess I can take them back out and do it again. Ill take one off and see if I can get it any better.

-matt
Old Apr 21, 2006 | 09:02 PM
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Mxrider52
I second that.
Old Apr 21, 2006 | 09:38 PM
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Alittle dark out:





Old Apr 21, 2006 | 09:39 PM
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 09:41 PM
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They actually don't look as bad as I'd think they would with how you described them as being.
Old Apr 21, 2006 | 09:48 PM
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Well they arent totally horrible, but during the day they look horrible in the sun.
Old Apr 21, 2006 | 11:23 PM
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I had to do mine twice because I wasn't satisfied with 1500.

Just keep going with moderate pressure untill the sandpaper moves very easily across the lense and then move to the next step.

The 2nd time I went to 2000 grit and used Maguires plastiX or something like that.
Old Apr 21, 2006 | 11:24 PM
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Sometimes you gotta do things twice to get them right Matty. I'm sure you know that.
Old Apr 22, 2006 | 04:46 AM
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I don't understand why you guys sand plastic lenses to get them clear. A buffer and some compound is all you need.

Matty, if you stop by my shop one day I'll buff them out clear for you in about 5 minutes.
Old Apr 22, 2006 | 05:23 AM
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Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
I don't understand why you guys sand plastic lenses to get them clear. A buffer and some compound is all you need.

Matty, if you stop by my shop one day I'll buff them out clear for you in about 5 minutes.
A high quality polishing compound made from Mother's or Meguirs with a random orbit polisher works wonders on plastic. Just use a tiny bit and follow the directions on the bottle. It will come out far better then what you can do by hand.
Old Apr 22, 2006 | 07:07 AM
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you may have gone too deep with the thicker grits. go over it more with 1500 then 2000, then polish it out with a machine, not by hand.
Old Apr 22, 2006 | 07:21 AM
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Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
Matty, if you stop by my shop one day I'll buff them out clear for you in about 5 minutes.
Tom,

Im gonna stop by during the week and take you up on that offer

-matt
Old Apr 22, 2006 | 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by shavedmax
polish it out with a machine, not by hand.

Exactly, the hand method will take forever and will not give you the crystal clear results a buffer will.
Old Apr 22, 2006 | 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
I don't understand why you guys sand plastic lenses to get them clear. A buffer and some compound is all you need.

Matty, if you stop by my shop one day I'll buff them out clear for you in about 5 minutes.

DAMMIT. Which compound do you use?
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