fix scratched headlights

debbie · Post by **debbie** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 5:13 pm

anyone have any good methods?

ruchi · Post by **ruchi** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 5:16 pm

see if this thread helps, if not do a search for "delaminating" and you'll get a lot of info. (yes I know you said scratched, but the info from the delaminating posts should help)

Have a look at the last message from Paypaya
http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... laminating

payaya · Post by **payaya** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 1:58 am

yeah i tired wet and dry, then polished it with a ScratchX from meguires. I can send pictures if someone wants to host it.

Leigh · Post by **Leigh** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 3:18 pm

my headlights where scuffed to crud. I got them polished out about 8 months ago and then they became bad again. I tried scratch X and would you believe it. its back to crystal clear! been 2 weeks now and doesnt look like it has any side effects yet.

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 8:00 pm

Do you two (Leigh & payaya) mean that your headlights were delaminating, and you guys used "Scratch X" to clean it up?

payaya · Post by **payaya** » Sat Jul 24, 2004 12:59 am

mine was more than delaminating i visually had a 10cm x 3cm scratched, fog mark on one of my headlights. It was rough to the touch.

So i got some 1000 grit wet dry sandpaper, shanded back the whole headlight, was got rid of the mark, and the laminant at the same time. Then went over with 1200 grit wet dry which smoothed over the sanding. Then polished the headlight, which brough the clear finished back.

debbie · Post by **debbie** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:45 pm

tried sandpaper, now looks more scratched

ruchi · Post by **ruchi** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:54 pm

what grit did you use?

The sandpaper should leave it kind of cloudy then you use the ScratchX stuff to polish it off and it should come back clear.

FTO338 · Post by **FTO338** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:58 pm

debbie wrote:tried sandpaper, now looks more scratched

I hope you did use water as well, not rubbing it when the paper is dry

debbie · Post by **debbie** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 5:02 pm

yes i did

payaya · Post by **payaya** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 6:53 pm

thats why you have to polish, polish, polish!

Chiangstar · Post by **Chiangstar** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:02 pm

i actually used brasso on my headlights after i used sand paper... it worked really well....

debbie · Post by **debbie** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:14 pm

what do i polish it with

payaya · Post by **payaya** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:17 pm

scratch X from meguires, awsome stuff. To make the job easier go get a lambs wool type attachment for your a drill and use that.

debbie · Post by **debbie** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:18 pm

oh okay ive got that! never thought much of it though'.
thanks

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 4:22 pm

Well, I did this today, have to say took me like 2+ hours...
I used 800grit at the start, then 1200 to finish off, then "Scratch X"

To anyone that is going to do this, here are some pointers from my experiance:

>> Find even more finer sandpaper 1200+ and use that to start.
>> The more time use spend sanding with the above the better the finish.
>> Definatly use water with the wet&dry sandpaper.
>> Stop sanding when the whole light is cloudy and very smooth.
>> Just so you know Polishing is 50% of the job.

Some pointers on polishing manually, by hand (I needed more muscles)

>> Need two cotton cloths & "Scratch X"
>> Apply 3 lines across the light and just keep on rubbing in circles with cloth, until the "Scratch X" sorta get's used up on the light
>> Leave to dry, and do the same on the other light
>> Go back to 1st light and polish in circles with dry cloth
>> I repeated this proccess about 5 or 6 times, maybe more.

Now, with my light, when you look at the light from some angles, you can see multi colours, like a rainbow sorta, but not... donno... anyone?

Also, I might go back to it, if i find some very very fine sandpaper, and do it again, and most definatly use a good buffer, or one of those special drill bits.

GWIDO · Post by **GWIDO** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 1:25 pm

one of mine has been done and it has the same rainbow effect.
I am planing on spraying a little tint on them to fix it.

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 8:46 pm

Did anyone get condensation on the inside?
This only happened after I did this...

RallyMad · Post by **RallyMad** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 6:57 pm

If you have condensation on the inside Boris it means you have a small hole in the light some where or it is not sealing properly. Try and find a small hole if there is one and just use some araldite to cover it over. On thinking about it is it possible you removed some araldite from a hole when sanding the head light? In any case it is not a huge problem. It jsut may burn out your bulbs quicker from the moister getting into the light, especially when it is raining or in the dew.

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:33 pm

GWIDO wrote:one of mine has been done and it has the same rainbow effect. I am planing on spraying a little tint on them to fix it.

GWIDO, did u manage to get the above done?

Also, today I redid my lights, because I found some really fine sandpaper, 2000 Grit... and I also bought the attachment to go into the drill...

If you have the correct equipment, this job will only take you max an hour! It's really easy, with the buffer bit for the drill. The out come is so good. If anyone is interested I can post pictures.

EDIT: The Remainder of this post has been moved into the DIY Section

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