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11-09-2008, 09:53 PM
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#1
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,850
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How to fix your ugly plastic headlights.
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.
They looked like this when I bought the car. (Forgot to take a before pic)
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11-09-2008, 10:01 PM
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#2
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I, Vettezuki
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 14,754
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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.
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11-10-2008, 02:01 AM
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#3
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,850
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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.
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11-10-2008, 11:56 AM
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#4
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Fast & Filthy
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,840
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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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. |
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11-10-2008, 12:11 PM
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#5
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,850
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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.
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11-10-2008, 01:45 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 274
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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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. 
__________________
It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy.
-Nolan Ryan
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11-10-2008, 03:15 PM
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#7
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Resident Avatar Gambler
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,997
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That's awesome Adam. The car stuff you figure out never ceases to amaze  |
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11-11-2008, 01:31 PM
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#8
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Graphics B*tch
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,197
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanPlunk
That's awesome Adam. The car stuff you figure out never ceases to amaze |
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. 
Relax Sean, I am proud of you... you actually get your hands dirty now. 
__________________
Adam
'13 Ford Fusion SE (2.0L EcoBoost)(Conor)
'03 Zinc Yellow Mach 1(Yazmine)
290HP / 305TQ
1/4 mile ET: 13.28 @ 101MPH (1.867 60')
'99 White F-150 (4.6L)(Bud Jr.)-gone but never forgotten
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11-11-2008, 04:07 PM
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#9
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,850
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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.
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11-11-2008, 05:40 PM
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#10
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Neanderthal
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,320
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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cool-so-if-you-do-your-own-tuning-and-get-250-rear-wheel-hp-you-did-not-do-good.
that-was-tough-too-type. 
__________________
64 Vette Roadster 400 ci
1990 F150 351 ci SuperCharged
48 Harley Pan Head 76 ci
2016 Nissan Altma
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