25 minute headlight cleaning (9 pictures; 2.08mb)
03-26-2006, 04:05 PM
#82
OK, I did this on my headlights. Wet-sanded with 600, 1000, and 2000 grit, then buffed with Meguiar's PlasticX polish (two "coats" of polish). The result: lenses are perfectly smooth to the touch and the little pits and roughness are gone. However, they look cloudier than when I started and I can see fine scratches from the sandpaper.
My question is, would I see better results with a different polish? Isn't ScratchX designed for paint, so it may be a little tougher than the plastic polish that I used? Or is my problem that I need to press harder and sand more with the 1000 and 2000 grit before I polish again?
My question is, would I see better results with a different polish? Isn't ScratchX designed for paint, so it may be a little tougher than the plastic polish that I used? Or is my problem that I need to press harder and sand more with the 1000 and 2000 grit before I polish again?
03-31-2006, 06:32 PM
#85
There is a grey color high temp silicone sealant which can found at most auto parts stores.
Here is a link with some info
http://www.neverseezproducts.com/permsilicones.htm
Here is a link with some info
http://www.neverseezproducts.com/permsilicones.htm
04-09-2006, 06:19 PM
#86
OK, I wet-sanded a second time because I wasn't happy with the results the first time (see above). This time I spent maybe 10 minutes sanding each headlight with 1000 grit and then 10 minutes sanding each with 2000 grit, and pushing harder. I rinsed with water and allowed the headlights to dry before polishing. I ended up applying polish (PlasticX) four times. For the second two applications I switched from terry cloth/microfiber applicators to paper towels. My applicators weren't perfectly clean so I was worried that dirt would scratch up my smooth surface. The first two times polishing the lenses were definitely an improvement over my previous attempt, but still a bit cloudy.
However, after the last application with paper towels, I also tried wiping the last bit of polish off with an extremely light touch to avoid wiping too much off. I think the little bit of polish left in the cracks keeps the surface looking smooth. Now they basically look brand new. Crystal clear with just a few tiny pits and a smidgen of cloudiness left but I'm satisfied for now.
Oh yeah, and I did this all with the headlights still on the car. Just wiped off the excess polish from the bumper and the rubber seals.
However, after the last application with paper towels, I also tried wiping the last bit of polish off with an extremely light touch to avoid wiping too much off. I think the little bit of polish left in the cracks keeps the surface looking smooth. Now they basically look brand new. Crystal clear with just a few tiny pits and a smidgen of cloudiness left but I'm satisfied for now.
Oh yeah, and I did this all with the headlights still on the car. Just wiped off the excess polish from the bumper and the rubber seals.
04-17-2006, 07:36 PM
#87
Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 62
Great thread! My 20th AE has about 165k miles on it and we're going to polish the lens when we replace the hood & bumper (son wrecked the car).
Has anyone tried this on other plastic type lens (instrument cluster)???? What about a windshield on a boat? My ski boat looks like crap so I'm considering trying it out on it.
Has anyone tried this on other plastic type lens (instrument cluster)???? What about a windshield on a boat? My ski boat looks like crap so I'm considering trying it out on it.
04-18-2006, 05:18 AM
#88
Originally Posted by gt350mike
Great thread! My 20th AE has about 165k miles on it and we're going to polish the lens when we replace the hood & bumper (son wrecked the car).
Has anyone tried this on other plastic type lens (instrument cluster)???? What about a windshield on a boat? My ski boat looks like crap so I'm considering trying it out on it.
Has anyone tried this on other plastic type lens (instrument cluster)???? What about a windshield on a boat? My ski boat looks like crap so I'm considering trying it out on it.
05-16-2006, 10:44 AM
#94
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 5,432
ugh, i guess i'm retarded....can anyone shed some light on my situation? i tried the same thing...i started with 800 grit then went on to 1000, 1500, and 2000 polishing with scratch-x in between stages...the best i can get it is this:
I'm using a microfiber applicator pad to apply the scratch-x and a microfiber towel to buff it out...anything else i can try? I really don't want to be forced to buy new headlights just because of this....
EDIT: oh yeah, don't mind the bugs..i haven't had a chance to wash my car
I'm using a microfiber applicator pad to apply the scratch-x and a microfiber towel to buff it out...anything else i can try? I really don't want to be forced to buy new headlights just because of this....
EDIT: oh yeah, don't mind the bugs..i haven't had a chance to wash my car
05-16-2006, 08:23 PM
#99
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 5,432
Originally Posted by whazzzzuup
Are you wetsanding the headlight with those different grits? Also, use some elbow grease to apply and remove the polish.
05-16-2006, 10:14 PM
#102
I basically have the same problem and tried three times going up to 2000 grit, wetsanding properly, and then using PlasticX. Now they are hazier than when I started. It's frustrating. However, I bought a Mother's Powerball and will be trying again using that to apply the polish. If that doesn't work, I'm going to have to look for some different grades of cutting/buffing compounds.
So much for "25-minutes"....
So much for "25-minutes"....
05-17-2006, 07:28 PM
#103
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 5,432
Originally Posted by VQuick
I basically have the same problem and tried three times going up to 2000 grit, wetsanding properly, and then using PlasticX. Now they are hazier than when I started. It's frustrating. However, I bought a Mother's Powerball and will be trying again using that to apply the polish. If that doesn't work, I'm going to have to look for some different grades of cutting/buffing compounds.
So much for "25-minutes"....
So much for "25-minutes"....
05-22-2006, 06:39 PM
#105
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 5,432
ugh, i tried it agian today...this time i used different variations of techniques to no avail....i used soapy water, and the headlights did get a LITTLE more clear, but still not near what they looked like before i tried this....
I also started again with the 800 grit, but i varied the pressure i put on the paper on various attempts...it seems like the best i could get was when i used almost no pressure with the 800 grit and worked my way up to more pressure with the 2000 grit....i used my pc with the scratchx afterward for about 3 minutes and you can still see the stupid scratches perfectly...the weird thing is that you can't really see the scratches when the headlights are wet, or just after being polished, but soon they start to haze and look ugly again....what am i going to do? maxus is coming up and i really want my headlights to look normal again! any more suggestions? haha...this sucks...
I also started again with the 800 grit, but i varied the pressure i put on the paper on various attempts...it seems like the best i could get was when i used almost no pressure with the 800 grit and worked my way up to more pressure with the 2000 grit....i used my pc with the scratchx afterward for about 3 minutes and you can still see the stupid scratches perfectly...the weird thing is that you can't really see the scratches when the headlights are wet, or just after being polished, but soon they start to haze and look ugly again....what am i going to do? maxus is coming up and i really want my headlights to look normal again! any more suggestions? haha...this sucks...
(this was before i tried wetsanding...the headlights did have some pitting, but at least they were clear!)
05-23-2006, 12:09 PM
#107
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 5,432
Originally Posted by VQuick
I feel very self-conscious, it's like my car has aged 5 more years. Hopefully I'll have time this weekend to work some more on the headlights.
05-23-2006, 04:34 PM
#108
Awesome! I've heard great things about it too but still wasn't sure it would fix the headlights. Thanks for letting us know. Also, keep us updated with how they "age"...i.e., in a week are they still as clear as right now.
05-25-2006, 04:59 PM
#109
Originally Posted by VQuick
Awesome! I've heard great things about it too but still wasn't sure it would fix the headlights. Thanks for letting us know. Also, keep us updated with how they "age"...i.e., in a week are they still as clear as right now.
yeah, I said something about the powerball awhile back in this thread, I think it was this thread, but I think some people weren't pleased with it so I quit mentioning it. I used it and loved it.
05-25-2006, 10:34 PM
#110
I re-sanded with 2000 tonight and then did the Powerball. Looked almost like new but I want to let the polish dry for a few days to see if it retains the clear look this time. I think the buffing really is the answer here since what it is doing is getting polish into all the tiny pits that you can't get by hand without hours of work. I'm probably going to apply more polish and powerball it again tomorrow then post some pics.
06-16-2006, 10:07 AM
#113
Originally Posted by MDeezy
I shall use the Meguire's polymer sealant then. I want long lasting quality. Thanks for the info. Sourcing places out now.
06-17-2006, 04:29 AM
#115
Dude, i'm so pissed off!! i tried attempting this on my own...and got pwnt each and everytime
First time I started from 600-1000-2000...man, the results were cloudy even after I applied the scratch X....then I kept applying more and more (cuz it seemed like it was gettin clearer) but then it still wouldn't budge from the cloudyness....
So the next day I went to pick up more sandpaper...400-600-1000-1500-2000...did the whole process AGAIN...man it worked a little better...but still cloudy in some parts
thats the best i could get it...thank god its getting somewhat better....cuz before on the 600-1000-2000 step, man that thing was cloudy...i dunno how the hell whazzuuppp got his to be so shiny the first time
so now, i'm off to go get the powerball...
First time I started from 600-1000-2000...man, the results were cloudy even after I applied the scratch X....then I kept applying more and more (cuz it seemed like it was gettin clearer) but then it still wouldn't budge from the cloudyness....
So the next day I went to pick up more sandpaper...400-600-1000-1500-2000...did the whole process AGAIN...man it worked a little better...but still cloudy in some parts
thats the best i could get it...thank god its getting somewhat better....cuz before on the 600-1000-2000 step, man that thing was cloudy...i dunno how the hell whazzuuppp got his to be so shiny the first time
so now, i'm off to go get the powerball...
06-17-2006, 04:35 AM
#116
BEST advice for everyone.....DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS...if your headlights are still "okay" looking....here are the reasons
1. you could potentially run into the problems me, la02max, and vquick is having
2. the parts are not cheap...it's $3.25 per grit of sandpaper...you get 3 or 4 different grits..then the scratch x is another $8 or so...and in my case, I have to go get a powerball (another $20)....
3. depending on how well you get it the first time, it could potentially lead u to MAJOR frusteration....25 minutes can turn into 3hr nightmare if your headlights turn out cloudy
basicallly, don't attemp this if your headlights are still cool.....i mean, my headlights were in good condition really...i just wanted to try this out becuz i thought i could squeeze more "shine" out of the headlights....and plus i had nothing better to spend my money on....so i went ahead and did it..and now look where it got me
moral of the story: If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!
1. you could potentially run into the problems me, la02max, and vquick is having
2. the parts are not cheap...it's $3.25 per grit of sandpaper...you get 3 or 4 different grits..then the scratch x is another $8 or so...and in my case, I have to go get a powerball (another $20)....
3. depending on how well you get it the first time, it could potentially lead u to MAJOR frusteration....25 minutes can turn into 3hr nightmare if your headlights turn out cloudy
basicallly, don't attemp this if your headlights are still cool.....i mean, my headlights were in good condition really...i just wanted to try this out becuz i thought i could squeeze more "shine" out of the headlights....and plus i had nothing better to spend my money on....so i went ahead and did it..and now look where it got me
moral of the story: If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!
06-17-2006, 08:32 PM
#119
Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 30
Have you tried using Mother's plastic polish? When I did my headlights, they were still a little foggy after applying the scratch remover, so I tried the plastic polish and it cleared it right up.
http://www.mothers.com/products/prod...ecialprod.html
BTW, I was only able to find it locally at Pep Boys.
http://www.mothers.com/products/prod...ecialprod.html
BTW, I was only able to find it locally at Pep Boys.
