How to Restore Headlights by Buffer or by Hand - Exterior Car Detail Parts 22 and 23

ihaveacamaro

ihaveacamaro

I like teeth
Now that we're ready to do some polishing, I thought I would bring up the topic of restoring headlights. Here's the next two videos in the ongoing series, parts 22 and 23.


As always, thanks for watching!


How to Restore Headlights by Buffer:










How to Restore Headlights by Hand:



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good videos roshan. I compunded and polished a friend's yellowing headlights in the past and thought they looked very clear, but when I saw them a month later, they were already yellowing out again. probably the sanding route is a better call to start with. I like using Meguiars Headlight Protectant 10 oz. afterwards, it seems to melt right into the headlights after a few minutes.
 
The Driver said:
Looks good!
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Thanks!

Cameronswmp9 said:
For the hand polish, it looks like you're a sanding machine!

Great video, thanks for doing it!!
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Haha, the magic of editing videos :D

Glad you liked it it, hope it helped!!

tropicsteve said:
good videos roshan. I compunded and polished a friend's yellowing headlights in the past and thought they looked very clear, but when I saw them a month later, they were already yellowing out again. probably the sanding route is a better call to start with. I like using Meguiars Headlight Protectant 10 oz. afterwards, it seems to melt right into the headlights after a few minutes.
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Yeah, I think hitting it with at least 3000 grit is necessary. Need something more abrasive than compound. I had a similar experience. Did you use a rotary or DA?
 
ihaveacamaro said:
Thanks!



Haha, the magic of editing videos :D

Glad you liked it it, hope it helped!!



Yeah, I think hitting it with at least 3000 grit is necessary. Need something more abrasive than compound. I had a similar experience. Did you use a rotary or DA?
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used my 3" griots da, a little under powered, but easy to use and gets it done. probably better just to bring out the big guns. :)
 
So for going at it without a buffer, I would still need buffer pads for this? I just watched it again and caught it. Others I have seen haven't said it, but I know different pads work differently and if that's the best way then that's the best way. I am going to do a few to get up the cash for a buffer, just trying to keep personal buy in low right now.
 
Cameronswmp9 said:
So for going at it without a buffer, I would still need buffer pads for this? I just watched it again and caught it. Others I have seen haven't said it, but I know different pads work differently and if that's the best way then that's the best way. I am going to do a few to get up the cash for a buffer, just trying to keep personal buy in low right now.
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No, in the video I state you (as the viewer) would use normal sandpaper but I don't have 3000 grit sandpaper because I never do headlights by hand anymore. Sorry for any confusion. But yeah, no need for the buffer sand paper if you're doing it by hand, just get the normal stuff, it's much cheaper and equally effective.
 
At about 9:30 in the hand video you pull an orange pad out for polish, that's where my question stemmed from.

I've never used 3000 just to 2500, the 3000 feels weird! But I see how that will definitely help the polishing steps.
 
Cameronswmp9 said:
At about 9:30 in the hand video you pull an orange pad out for polish, that's where my question stemmed from.

I've never used 3000 just to 2500, the 3000 feels weird! But I see how that will definitely help the polishing steps.
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Oh ok, misunderstood your question! There's hand polishing pads that autopia sells and you will need some way to apply the polish, so yes, you'll some kind of pad with a little bit of cut to apply the polish. You could apply it with an applicator pad (no cut), but I don't think you'll have great success with that.
 
Guys, I want to wet sand and polish my head lamps....can you please recommend what 2 grids I would need?

Plan to finish them off with M105 and 205. Thanks!
 
I have done a few headlights for people with good results. I use Poorboy pro polishes depending on how bad they look.
I've wet sanded one set before on my test car. 1500 grit I think.

Today I did a car.... used my Rupes mini.. then stepped up to my Makita with an LC orange pad.
The vehicle was damaged in a storm we had earlier this year and has some good scratches in the lights from a fell tree brushing them,
The lights came up nice and clear but does anyone think wet sanding could remove the scratches. I can't put my nail in them. they almost look like sanding marks but didn't want to go any further until checking here.

I'll try to get some photos up but I'll need to go there to take some.
 
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