frenshy Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 After reading a few threads about misty/cloudy headlights I decided to have a go at cleaning them up. Spent about an hour per headlight using fine wet n dry 2000, then 1500, then 1000, then polished up with T-cut. It has made a big difference already... http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w184/frenshy/350z/beforeampafterheadlights_zps267eab0a.jpg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zroar Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Nice. Been meaning to do mine. It really ages the car when they're cloudy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MITZ@CougarStore Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Nice work... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a2orry Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 the final polish should be done with a electric rotary polisher .you must be very carefull so you don't heat up the plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jp606 Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Did mine the other day with the Meguiars kit, incredible difference! Actually took some photos of the process with before and afters, I'll post them up tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddcboyle Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Ive tried this with autosol and meguires. What kit are u using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulletMagnet Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 After reading a few threads about misty/cloudy headlights I decided to have a go at cleaning them up. Spent about an hour per headlight using fine wet n dry 2000, then 1500, then 1000, then polished up with T-cut. It has made a big difference already... http://i176.photobuc...zps267eab0a.jpg I'm sure you were meant to write those grit grades in reverse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cs2000 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 Id hope so... lol Its something I need to do, but I imagine me just ending up with a even worse job than before! Ive tried using Autosol and Plast-rx or whatever the megs stuff is called but I guess its too bad. Maybe one day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenshy Posted July 11, 2013 Author Share Posted July 11, 2013 After reading a few threads about misty/cloudy headlights I decided to have a go at cleaning them up. Spent about an hour per headlight using fine wet n dry 2000, then 1500, then 1000, then polished up with T-cut. It has made a big difference already... http://i176.photobuc...zps267eab0a.jpg I'm sure you were meant to write those grit grades in reverse sh*t yeah sorry to anyone planning to try it - its 1000 then 1500 then 2000 !! lolol I havent used any kit just the wet n dry, the T-cut and plenty elbow grease. Planning to machine polish next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 I have used MAG Headlight Restorer, its an American product but you can get it in eBay. Great results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteman35 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 The main thing you have to remember is use a Uv resistance wax. You will find they will cloud up again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cs2000 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 May give this a go in a few weeks. So is it literally start on the lowest grade, 1000, sand till evenly sanded, clean, move up a grade, clean, move up a grade, clean then polish with something like autosol or megs headlight restorer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob63 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 After reading a few threads about misty/cloudy headlights I decided to have a go at cleaning them up. Spent about an hour per headlight using fine wet n dry 2000, then 1500, then 1000, then polished up with T-cut. It has made a big difference already... http://i176.photobuc...zps267eab0a.jpg I'm sure you were meant to write those grit grades in reverse sh*t yeah sorry to anyone planning to try it - its 1000 then 1500 then 2000 !! lolol I havent used any kit just the wet n dry, the T-cut and plenty elbow grease. Planning to machine polish next. I've a large roll of 12000, yes 12000, you should see the finish you can get with that as a final touch Mind you 6000 and then 8000 gives really good results in a shorter time span. If anyone needs a sample of 12000 to do this then drop me a pm, first 6 only Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenshy Posted July 11, 2013 Author Share Posted July 11, 2013 May give this a go in a few weeks. So is it literally start on the lowest grade, 1000, sand till evenly sanded, clean, move up a grade, clean, move up a grade, clean then polish with something like autosol or megs headlight restorer? Yeah thats exactly what I done - spent about 15 mins on each wet n dry then 15 mins with T-cut but lots of people saying the MAGS stuff or metal polish is better - I didnt remove the lights but I masked off around the edge of the lights - although when the masking tape got wet it was a b*tch to get off so next time I would remove headlights or use rags in the gaps around the edge instead of masking tape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddcboyle Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 After reading a few threads about misty/cloudy headlights I decided to have a go at cleaning them up. Spent about an hour per headlight using fine wet n dry 2000, then 1500, then 1000, then polished up with T-cut. It has made a big difference already... http://i176.photobuc...zps267eab0a.jpg I'm sure you were meant to write those grit grades in reverse sh*t yeah sorry to anyone planning to try it - its 1000 then 1500 then 2000 !! lolol I havent used any kit just the wet n dry, the T-cut and plenty elbow grease. Planning to machine polish next. I've a large roll of 12000, yes 12000, you should see the finish you can get with that as a final touch Mind you 6000 and then 8000 gives really good results in a shorter time span. If anyone needs a sample of 12000 to do this then drop me a pm, first 6 only I reckon some military issue toilet roll paper is the same grade infact no, its probably 2000 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob63 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 After reading a few threads about misty/cloudy headlights I decided to have a go at cleaning them up. Spent about an hour per headlight using fine wet n dry 2000, then 1500, then 1000, then polished up with T-cut. It has made a big difference already... http://i176.photobuc...zps267eab0a.jpg I'm sure you were meant to write those grit grades in reverse sh*t yeah sorry to anyone planning to try it - its 1000 then 1500 then 2000 !! lolol I havent used any kit just the wet n dry, the T-cut and plenty elbow grease. Planning to machine polish next. I've a large roll of 12000, yes 12000, you should see the finish you can get with that as a final touch Mind you 6000 and then 8000 gives really good results in a shorter time span. If anyone needs a sample of 12000 to do this then drop me a pm, first 6 only I reckon some military issue toilet roll paper is the same grade infact no, its probably 2000 Not wrong! Being ex-military I always wondered why the stuff we had back in the 80's appeared to be waterproof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cs2000 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 (edited) Ive just ordered the paper from eBay, easier for me! Got a pack with 400,600,800,1000,1200,1500,2000 grit paper and another that has 2500 & 3000. Also ordered some of that blue tape stuff you can use when detailing to mask the area off The light in the photo does have some scratches that I can see, perhaps it needs a bit more time with the 2000 grit, or maybe some 4000. Did you keep the paper wet, or just use it dry? 12,000 grit, that's surely just like regular A4 paper! Il send you a PM! lol could probably polish the car with that! EDIT: rob has kindly offered to send me some of that 12,000 grit paper, looks interesting. Edited July 11, 2013 by cs2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob63 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 Use the paper wet with a wipe of regular hand soap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF4N Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 I did mine on the skyline with 600,1200, 2000 followed by tcut by hand which worked well then I finished it with plastx by rotary and the final bit makes the biggest difference My cousin got a polishing/buffing kit from eBay which just goes into an electric drill so no need to buy a rotary polisher if you don't have one. Wouldn't use it for paintwork but for plastic it's great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jp606 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 (edited) Here's the pics from using a Meguiars restore kit. It's basically PlastX with a rotary buffer that fits into a standard drill. Also comes with some sheets of fine grit sand paper for headlights that are is worse condition, I didn't need to use these so can't comment on how good they are. They were pretty cloudy, especially at the top: Buffer on drill: Before and after: Bit difficult to see in pics. Really pleased with the results Edited July 11, 2013 by Jp606 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Av8er Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 How much is the restorers kit? I need to do mine badly but hate spending money if I can use stuff I've got already 600-2000(I think) wet and dry paper in the workshop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jp606 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 £19.99 from Halfrauds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjt Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 I spoke to my local detailer who I also get on with aside from his work, and he said that he uses Peek to restore headlights... he gave me some, and it worked a treat! Think its only about £3 as well, well worth a try if anyones thinking of doing this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF4N Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 Iv used peek for metal it's decent stuff for the price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMT Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 Not read most of this but gonna jump in and advise for my old car I used metal polish from meguirs on my headlights... works fine and comes up a treat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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