1200 Grit Fine Enough for Headlights?

[OCKlasse]

I have some 1200 grit laying around and was wondering if that grit would be fine enough for my headlights. I would probably follow up with M105/PFW...would the 105 take out the 1200 grit marks effectively? Thanks.

 

[longdx]

This should be fine. Sometimes, I follow it up with 1500 or 2000 grit, but M105 will clear up 1200 grit sanding marks.

 

[daman]

I would follow up with 2-2500,i always see light scratches still with anything bigger then 1500. but then never used 105 after,scratch X

 

[craigdt]

Yep. As long as you progress to 2500 at least. I typically end up with 3000, with good results.

 

[jDizzle]

i usually use 3000...but ive had to make due with 2000 once, came out pretty well as long as you end with light pressure.. very light for a while.. i follow with plast-X.. i personally dont thing 1200 would finish down fine enough.

 

[Byk]

Honestly, I used 1000 then 1500 grit method and it was a lot of work to finish the headlights I was restoring lately. After polishing with PlastX they were still not to my satisfaction.



Then another day I decided to take off the lights as they were getting moisture inside to open them up and reseal them. When I had the lights dismantled, I took out a 600 grit, wet sanded them very well again and followed straight with PlastX, then Poorboy's SSR1.



Lights came out very well and don't see any micro scratches. This was on a 1997 Acura CL with 200,000 km on it - perhaps if you're dealing with a newer car you can go less aggressive.



P.S. I also believe that polishing them earlier loosened up the seal around the lens so that moisture started to get inside, so be careful with vibrations.

 

[Byk]

Here are the steps I taken to show you the results of going to 600grit then straight to PlastX and SSR1.



The Left (Passenger) Lens Finished Earlier with 1000 then 1500 grit + PlastX, Right (Driver) 600 grit then PlastX. You can see the Driver Side is much better.

Another View (The bottles behind were only placed to judge transparency)

Another View of the finished lens

Wetsanded 600 grit Passenger Lens

Wetsanded 600 grit Passenger Lens

Wetsanded 600 grit Passenger Lens

Finished Polished Both Lenses with PlastX and SSR1

Lights Assembled

Intalled on the car:

I wish I had the photos of the lights before any correction. They never yellowed however had a lot of dings from the road therefore were becoming quite matte.