How to fix your ugly plastic headlights.

[enkeivette]

So here's what you do:

If your headlights are really bad, consider starting out with 320 grit wet. I did. Sand them until the discoloration is gone. After the first few times across the surface I could see cloudy yellow water, I sanded until the I got rid of all of the yellow. Not very long, just took a few mins.

Then, go over them with 600 grit wet. Do this until you feel that you've taken out all of the 320 scratches. Again, only took a few mins.

Clean them off really well with water.

Spray them with a few coats of 2K (two part) clear coat. As soon as you spray them, the sanding scratches will diappear and they will immediately look clear. It's cool to see.

Tada! Some will tell you that 1000 grit will give you better clarity. But I've also heard of adhesion problems with 1000 grit. And keep in mind, I spent less than 10 mins sanding these. They are my neon headlights, it was just an experiment. I'm sure I could have made them look even prettier had I spent more time on them.

http://i34.tinypic.com/2zdwzdz.jpg

They looked like this when I bought the car. (Forgot to take a before pic)

http://www.mjeverything.com/Images/95neon.JPG

[Vettezuki]

That's interesting advice. I need to clean them on my truck. I bought the Mother's plastic polish for the task. Maybe I'll do each light using a different method. There's also the old toothpaste trick. I don't remember the details, only that it involved toothpaste.

[enkeivette]

I used the plastic polish, it will make them look a lot better, but they will quickly fog up again. If you want to use the polish without sealing the headlights, I would wet sand 320, then 600, then 1000, then 1500, then use the polish. Maybe skip the 320 if they aren't so bad. Using the polish without sanding won't do very much.

If you don't have access to spray equipment I suppose you could use a 1K (aerosol) can of clear. I don't see any reason that wouldn't work.

[94cobra69ss396]

I used the plastic polish, it will make them look a lot better, but they will quickly fog up again. If you want to use the polish without sealing the headlights, I would wet sand 320, then 600, then 1000, then 1500, then use the polish. Maybe skip the 320 if they aren't so bad. Using the polish without sanding won't do very much.

If you don't have access to spray equipment I suppose you could use a 1K (aerosol) can of clear. I don't see any reason that wouldn't work.

I need to do this on my Suburban so I'll test it with the clear from a can since I already have a can of it.

[enkeivette]

Sweet, post a pic when you're done. Make sure to get the surface wet with the first coat. Otherwise you might not get rid of the scratches.

[gunfish]

That's interesting advice. I need to clean them on my truck. I bought the Mother's plastic polish for the task. Maybe I'll do each light using a different method. There's also the old toothpaste trick. I don't remember the details, only that it involved toothpaste.

I heard about that one. It works like this:
Brush your teeth then just before you rinse, you give each headlight a couple of licks. :nana2:


:sorry:

[SeanPlunk]

That's awesome Adam. The car stuff you figure out never ceases to amaze :D

[Leedom]

That's awesome Adam. The car stuff you figure out never ceases to amaze :D

Don't get tooo big of a head Adam. Anything more than changing oil on a car impresses Sean. That is about as far as his abilities go. :rolling::rolling:

Relax Sean, I am proud of you... you actually get your hands dirty now. :thumbs_up:

[enkeivette]

sean-may-not-be-a-grease-monkey,but-he-bought-a-reasonably-priced-car,put-on-a-pulley,paid-for-a-professional-tune-and-walked-out-with-450-wheel-hp.that's-smart-racing.

by-the-way,im-typing-at-shlotskys-deli-and-the-spacebar-and-caps-lock-don't-work,sorry.

[BRUTAL64]

sean-may-not-be-a-grease-monkey,but-he-bought-a-reasonably-priced-car,put-on-a-pulley,paid-for-a-professional-tune-and-walked-out-with-450-wheel-hp.that's-smart-racing.

by-the-way,im-typing-at-shlotskys-deli-and-the-spacebar-and-caps-lock-don't-work,sorry.


cool-so-if-you-do-your-own-tuning-and-get-250-rear-wheel-hp-you-did-not-do-good.
that-was-tough-too-type.:rolleyes:

[enkeivette]

That inference was not properly drawn. Knowing that 450 wheel horsepower is impressive, tells us nothing about whether or not 250 wheel horsepower is impressive. Sorry, I'm in LSAT world right now.

No, I wouldn't consider 250 wheel horsepower impressive (considering the line of perfromance vehicles rolling off the showroom floor these days).

[94cobra69ss396]

That inference was not properly drawn. Knowing that 450 wheel horsepower is impressive, tells us nothing about whether or not 250 wheel horsepower is impressive. Sorry, I'm in LSAT world right now.

No, I wouldn't consider 250 wheel horsepower impressive (considering the line of perfromance vehicles rolling off the showroom floor these days).

So you wouldn't consider something like a 250whp 22R Toyota impressive?

[SeanPlunk]

That inference was not properly drawn. Knowing that 450 wheel horsepower is impressive, tells us nothing about whether or not 250 wheel horsepower is impressive. Sorry, I'm in LSAT world right now.

No, I wouldn't consider 250 wheel horsepower impressive (considering the line of perfromance vehicles rolling off the showroom floor these days).

I have 455 RWHP and RWTQ for the record :thumbs_up:

[SeanPlunk]

Eventually it will have a Whipple or Kenne Bell on it though, and then 575+ RWHP should be pretty easily attainable. I love how easily you can get power out of Cobras :bigthumbsup:

[Vettezuki]

I have 455 RWHP and RWTQ for the record :thumbs_up:

And the 12.7 ET to back it up. :smack:

[enkeivette]

So you wouldn't consider something like a 250whp 22R Toyota impressive?

No, I wouldn't. And I don't care if you are talking about a Lotus. Installing an economy engine in a go-kart albeit clever, does not impress me.

[BRUTAL64]

That inference was not properly drawn.

I hate when I do that.:judge:

[94cobra69ss396]

No, I wouldn't. And I don't care if you are talking about a Lotus. Installing an economy engine in a go-kart albeit clever, does not impress me.

I was referring to a Toyota pickup truck actually. I use to have an '84 4x4 pickup with the 22R. It was only rated at 96hp but I did some work to it (cam, header, exhaust) so it probably made around 105 or so. It was a great truck but way underpowered. If it would have made 250whp that truck would have been awsome.

[enkeivette]

I need to do this on my Suburban so I'll test it with the clear from a can since I already have a can of it.

Make sure to report back with pics, I'm curious to see how well it will work.