My headlights are scruffed/scratched to hell. I have tried Plastic Polish(useing a rag to rub in and my fingers), Rubbing Compound, Clay Bar and nothing helps.

So I want to sand tehm a littel and use Polish or rubbing compound.

Should 2000 grit be good or higher(do they have higher?)

 

I thought rubbing compound always did the trick. Have you tried steel wool?

 

I used a steel wool and that is what messed it up, lol. Should I try a high grit steel wool?

or this:
1. Mask off the paint and trim area around the lens, use two layers of tape for protection
2. If the lens has very light scratches go to polishing section below, if pitted and whitish in color, you’ll need to color sand
3. Color sanding
a. Use lots of water
b. Start with 600 grit and workout as many of the deep pits and scratches as you wish
c. Use light pressure, smooth the surface out as much as possible. This may take a little while, but is crucial in getting a smooth/clear surface
d. The lens will become completely white from the sanding and that’s fine
e. Work your way through sanding grits; 600, 1000, 2500 or 3000 (3M makes Imperial brand wet sand paper and is available at Pep Boys, Wal*Mart and better auto parts stores)
f. Don’t worry about how white the lens becomes, polishing will correct
4. Polishing
a. Just like you would your paint – polish the lens
b. It’s a lot of work by hand but doable – if you have a Porter Cable (PC) type orbital polisher I strongly suggest you use it
c. Use only as aggressive polish as needed
d. Mild paint compounds like 3M Fine Cut may be necessary to start with you color sanded per instructions above, or a less aggressive polish like 3M Imperial Hand (or Machine) Glaze; or Meguirars Machine Glaze
e. Progress through the paint polishers as needed; more aggressive to less
f. The lens will become clear again, if it was color sanded
g. Next, refine the clarity with a plastic polish like Meguiars #17 plastic polish
h. Follow with Meguiars #10 plastic cleaner
i. Haven’t tried it yet, but I understand Plexus makes excellent plastic polishes

These steps take time, but IMO and experience the results are excellent.

 

Rubbing compound.

Use a machine and they buff up clear in just a minute.

 

And if they don't clear up?

 

Steel wool....I learned that in HS. Get a buffing wheel attachment for you drill from homedepot. Use it with plastic polishing compound.

 

I used 1500 then 2000 and followed with a buffer using rubbing compound....

 

I suppose that is what I will do because i tried everything above and it helped, but not enough.

 

Did you wetsand? Did the sandpaper leave any kind of scratches or do your heads look new?

 

#00000 steel wool.....

 

There are different grades of steel wool, just as sandpaper. I suggest get the finest steel wool and use it with a little polishing compound.

 

Okay, I am done.

I wet-sanded with 1500grit and then 2000grit.
Then Buffed in Rubbing Compound
Then Buffed in Plastic Polish
Then sprayed foam glass cleaner on the heads
Then I sprayed Orange Clean Degreaser stuff
Then one more time, foam glass cleaner.

Now they look GREAT. I will have pics tomorrow after I was the car.

Thanks for the help guys

 

good info! learned something new everyday think i'm going to try this on our other cars with plastic headlights.

 

man o man you scared me for a second, then I read the rest of it.

 

glad it worked out for ya

 

so what did you use, an orbital buffer or an attatchment to a drill? My headlights look good but i think they are starting to get a light haze around the corners.

 

Orbital BUffer

 

Sorry, I don't have any before pics.

 

sweet now tell me how to get rid of them 3 stupid aiming tabs!

 

I need to do this in the worst way.

 

Don't wear a white shirt while doing this.

 

i need to do this bad...

 

subscribed

 

[QUOTE=kevlo911]Okay, I am done.

I wet-sanded with 1500grit and then 2000grit.
Then Buffed in Rubbing Compound
Then Buffed in Plastic Polish
Then sprayed foam glass cleaner on the heads
Then I sprayed Orange Clean Degreaser stuff
Then one more time, foam glass cleaner.

Will this help if the headlights are a yellowish color??? Mine are yellow and I was thinking about getting new ones but they are costly.

 

You should be able to restore the lights to good condition. I've done this on several cars over the past 5 years or so. I typically do the following:

1. Clean with a degreaser such as Simple Green
2. Look at the capsule and note the worst imperfections
3. Begin sanding in a circular fashion with 1000 grit wet/dry sand paper. Use PLENTY of water, never let the paper dry. Don't press too hard, just let the paper do the work.
4. Once the pits/discolorations are gone, check for the worst imperfections and do some localized light sanding. Sometimes you can't get everything out, so don't keep sanding forever.
5. Sand the capsule with 1500 grit until you feel the resistance lighten while sanding.
6. Sand the capsule with 2000 grit until you feel the resistance lighten while sanding.
7. Clean again as indicated in step 1.
8. Polish with 3M Rubbing Compound (by hand or with a orbital, orbital works best)
9. Once the capsule looks pretty darn good, use 3M Finish Restorer. Apply by hand or with an orbital.
10. Clean with glass cleaner. If you see any areas that appear cloudy, go back to the step 8 and do the process over.

Good luck. It's easy. Just take your time. Worst case, you buy new lights. But it's worth a little effort to try and save the old ones.

 

Yes, it will help with yellow headlights.

 

My lights are still staying cloudy. They feel smooth and everything, but even after the rubbing compound they still appear very hazy. I used turtle was rubbing compound (I heard this is one of the worst) and Meguirs Plastic polish. I buffed by hand but maybe man power isn't strong enough. Will I need an orbital or rotary tool buffer and the 3M instead of what I am using? THanks.

Eugene

 

just to let you guys know, i am able to get you cheap new housings.

 

or fogs, or side markers, rear lights even euro lights.

 

tell me more

 

whatcha wanna know, they are brand new in the box, as you guys tell me you want them i buy them and ship them to you.

 

you can get the whole headlight, or just the housing? what would be the prices on this stuff? etc?

 

yeah, how cheap is cheap?

 

awesome info, been looking for this (subscribe)

 

I need to subscribe too. I want to do this on a spare headlight with broken mounts and see how it comes out first.

 

Great thread!

About the three little "aiming tabs" on plastic headlight lenses: what are they for and can you file them down easily or will it not come out well?

 

Leave them there.

 

Why? I've always wondered about their purpose.

 

From what I read, Nissan used them to aim them from the factory.

 

If anyone is interested, I have a write up with 10 before/during/after pics that I had sent to skizer5556 back in December. Total email to him was about 6 megs. I can send it to someone if they want to post it here, or if they just need the additional info on wet-sanding headlights. Wet-sanding them does make a world of difference.

Dave