Headlight restoration without sandpaper
08-31-2010, 06:51 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Baltimore
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vehicle: 2002 Hyundai Accent
Headlight restoration without sandpaper
Im curious if theres any headlight restoration kits out there where you dont have to use sandpaper to rub over your lights. Kind of like just a spray and wipe type of kit.
08-31-2010, 11:36 AM
#4
Super Moderator
That's the same as sandpaper, but it's all powerball-y.
You have to rub off the oxidized yellow stuff, and get down through the microscratches. This means material removal with abrasives.
You have to rub off the oxidized yellow stuff, and get down through the microscratches. This means material removal with abrasives.
08-31-2010, 12:41 PM
#5
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Thomaston, CT
Posts: 2,448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vehicle: 2012 Veloster DCT w/ Tech
QUOTE (EMGTelecaster12 @ Aug 31 2010, 11:02 AM)
I use Meguiar's Plast-x and mother's powerball mini. It works ok.
Yeah, but only lasts about a week or so, or until the first rain. Sandpaper is the way to go.
08-31-2010, 04:47 PM
#6
Moderator
What they said. a FULL restoration kit will have sandpaper to get rid of the oxidized plastic. You can shine up damaged plastic, but it is still damaged. You have to get through that. Does not have to be sandpaper though. I've heard of people using steel wool or green scrubby pads. The sandpaper seems to be the best.
08-31-2010, 07:23 PM
#7
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: wamego, kansas
Posts: 5,280
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vehicle: 2001 hyundai tiburon
i did a set of rd2 headlights while watching two movies. multitasking FTW!
wish i would've taken before and after pics cause they were really bad...like, '04 hyundai sante fe bad,lol.
wish i would've taken before and after pics cause they were really bad...like, '04 hyundai sante fe bad,lol.
09-01-2010, 08:02 PM
#9
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: wamego, kansas
Posts: 5,280
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vehicle: 2001 hyundai tiburon
there is quite a few diys but it is easy enough to tell you.
you will need several grits. this is what i used and i know there will be people that will tell you you need this or not that much but here is the scoop
600
800
1000
1500
2500
every other grit you want to go the opposite direction of the last grit you had just done. wet sand the ENTIRE time. i even used a little dawn dishwashing soap (tablespoon for 3 gallons of water was my mix ratio)
like i said earlier i watched a full 90 minute movie while doing one and then watch another movie while doing the last one.
you will need several grits. this is what i used and i know there will be people that will tell you you need this or not that much but here is the scoop
600
800
1000
1500
2500
every other grit you want to go the opposite direction of the last grit you had just done. wet sand the ENTIRE time. i even used a little dawn dishwashing soap (tablespoon for 3 gallons of water was my mix ratio)
like i said earlier i watched a full 90 minute movie while doing one and then watch another movie while doing the last one.
09-01-2010, 08:58 PM
#10
Moderator
I spent 20 minutes using a ~1000 grit wheel on the end of a drill, ~2000 grit wheel, then some plastic polish. tongue.gif
It was a kit I bought at Advanced Auto Parts.
It was a kit I bought at Advanced Auto Parts.