Appearance & Detailing Interior & Exterior Appearance Modifications
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DashLynx

Buffing headlights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-09-2011, 06:52 PM
  #1  
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
Regulator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Buffing headlights

I tried to do a search, but couldn't really come up with anything. Has anyone tried buffing out their headlights with some white rouge and a cotton buffer wheel? The headlights I have now I hit with sandpaper down to about 2000 grit and they came out ok for the first try, but I picked up a second set to work on and do the Whistler mod to. They need some work, and I thought I'd give it shot with a buffer wheel, just wondering if anyone thinks it will work ok or if I should stick to sandpaper and elbow grease...
Old 06-09-2011, 07:09 PM
  #2  
TECH Apprentice
 
SS LeadFoot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Ive never tried this but have had friends use the Meguires stuff and said it was horrible. Ine had people sand blast them at a body shop for like $50. Seems to do the trick.
Old 06-10-2011, 06:45 AM
  #3  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (20)
 
silversrtman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Carmel, NY
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I used 600 800 and 1500 grit and then i fiinished them off with this 3 step system using a buffer with a cotton wheel. It worked great!

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/c...025445&N=77386
Old 06-10-2011, 06:56 AM
  #4  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
 
DAVE00's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Not sure about the headlights, but I did my tails and used the method above with wet sanding down to 2000 grit and then used a buffing wheel with Mequires PlastiX and they came out looking brand new.
Old 06-10-2011, 08:10 AM
  #5  
Internet Mechanic
iTrader: (17)
 
BlackScreaminMachine's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Wallingford CT
Posts: 9,831
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

PlasticX is killer stuff. Here are some examples.... some include other Meguiar Products.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...ight=Headlight

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...ight=Headlight

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...ight=Headlight

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...ight=Headlight
Old 06-10-2011, 08:18 AM
  #6  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (17)
 
VinR1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

I manage a glass shop and we do this on a daily basis

basically what Dave posted above - 320 grit all the way to 2000, machine then hand buff with PasticX. We follow up with a 2-part UV coating we get from 3M - it goes on like a thick gel, let it dry for an hour, and buff by hand. Ive done vehicles with and without it and it gives the headlights a tad more 'shine' if that makes sense
Old 06-10-2011, 02:15 PM
  #7  
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
Regulator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Sounds good, I was curious what I could use to protect the lights once I buff them out from getting cloudy again. My old Mustang I had the lights sanded out and then shot with automotive clear, seemed to work great. Thoughts?
Old 06-10-2011, 02:32 PM
  #8  
Staging Lane
 
mpmjason's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by silversrtman
I used 600 800 and 1500 grit and then i fiinished them off with this 3 step system using a buffer with a cotton wheel. It worked great!

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/c...025445&N=77386
+1
my headlights were YELLOW....like completely yellow.
I think i started around 400 grit, up to 2000, then used the 2 different Novus polishes. They looked BRAND NEW again.
I spent like a whole week working on it, by hand, in my free time. Probably got 10 hours into them, cause i made sure the entire lens was perfect, including the nipples. PITA to work around the nipples.
I also removed the rubber seals around the headlights, and reattached them with adhesive when i was done.
Old 06-10-2011, 02:46 PM
  #9  
TECH Junkie
 
9WhiteCamaro9's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Rutherford, North Carolina
Posts: 3,552
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Or you could spray them with Gloss Clear Coat after you get through sanding on em and not have to worry about buffing them out. Just wet sand em, let em sit up and dully dry, once dry wipe down to make sure no dust has gotten on em and spray em with the clear coat. Did mine like that and haven't looked back and all I do is throw some wax on them every month versus every other month for the car itself.
Old 06-10-2011, 02:58 PM
  #10  
Internet Mechanic
iTrader: (17)
 
BlackScreaminMachine's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Wallingford CT
Posts: 9,831
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Regulator
Sounds good, I was curious what I could use to protect the lights once I buff them out from getting cloudy again. My old Mustang I had the lights sanded out and then shot with automotive clear, seemed to work great. Thoughts?
Regular washing followed with a good Wax. I always spray wax booster like Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Wax inbetween washes.



Quick Reply: Buffing headlights



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:25 AM.