Pour water on the headlights and sand them. Clean the surface with a microfiber towel. Rinse all of the polishing compound off of your headlights with plain water and allow to air dry or gently dry with a clean, soft cloth. I have an air sander … You are looking for a somewhat foggy and opaque headlight lens after you are done with 600 grit sanding. Most people are surprised by the idea of using a coarse 80 grit sandpaper on a clear plastic headlight lens. P80 grit is the best option for removing saw blade burns and deeper surface scratches. Understand oxidation. Step 3. You can correct the headlights by starting with 400 wet and dry carborundum, 800, 1,200, on-up with the finest paper you can find. Move the wet sandpaper continuously on the headlights to remove large, visible scratches until the surface becomes smooth. Finish with a 3M Headlight Restoration kit. I started with 800, but probably should have used 400 to make the job easier. Brilliant product. How to Clean A Faded Plastic Headlight ... Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images, Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media. In the case that you’re working with a hardwood like Poplar, you can probably jump the line to P120. The headlight kits that are obtained over the counter work great, but if you don't cover the cleaned up headlight or chemically seal the surface after (since the wet-sanding removes the scratched up protective outer layer), it will yellow 6-12 months later, hence why I got the clear bra applied on top of the headlights at the same time. Go to an auto store and buy a sheet of each of these grit sandpaper: 220 grit 3M wet/dry 400 grit 3M wet/dry 600 grit 3M wet/dry And Heavy cut compound. Next you’ll want to apply rubbing compound onto your polishing pad and spread it around the pad evenly. Then move to finer 2000 grit sandpaper, keeping it wet as you sand. Medium Sanding … Sand paper (wet or dry) 600, 1200 and 2000 grit. Wrap a piece of 1500 sandpaper wet or dry around a soft sanding block. And it will also work on the polycarbonate cover of your headlight. Generally, if you run your … DO NOT use any of the sandpaper in the kit! Then from 800 grit we’re gonna go on to the 3000 grit and you’re probably gonna want to spend the most time on the 3000 grit cuz this ensures you get all the scratches out from the 500 and the 800 grit sandpaper out of the headlights. The depth of a scratch dictates how to remove it. Your headlights will get even cloudier at this point. Turn on the drill and slowly work the polish around the entire surface of the headlight, until it has a uniform appearance. Keep your sanding pressure even and fluid. If you see any, repeat Step 4 and go back over the scratched area. Wet sandpaper is used by hand while the dry sandpaper is used on power and sanding blocks. Russell Wood is a writer and photographer who attended Arizona State University. You can do this by hand or with a power sander. It will work on a scratched up CD, the screen of your phone, or dents and scratches on your car. Next step, move onto the 1500 grit sandpaper for a crystal clear look. It will pull those marks very easily and leave the headlights looking good as new. Make sure to keep the headlight moist throughout the process to keep from creating such uneven scratches in the plastic headlight. Sand in one direction. Oxidation is a flat opaque covering that lays evenly on the surface of the lens, It will start out white turn yellow and eventually brown. Based in Amsterdam, Brooke Pierce has been writing automotive-related articles since 2012. Sandpaper for Headlight Restoration. It will remove the tiny scratches and give a finer and more precise finish. $17.75 $ 17. Exposure to abrasive materials. Spray the headlights with the water and then use the sandpaper to, you know, sand. It will remove the tiny scratches and give a finer and more precise finish. Take time while sanding for best results. Elbow Grease – Affix the 1000 grit sandpaper sanding disc to the foam pad, wet the headlight lens and the sandpaper, and circularly sand the headlight. 3M Trizact sandpaper is expensive but works great for wet sanding. Make sure to evenly sand the lens with 600 grit sandpaper before moving on to 1800grit. Move the sandpaper in the same direction that you used with 600 grit sandpaper. Next step, move onto the 1500 grit sandpaper for a crystal clear look. Rinse the headlight with water and wipe with a … First I gently sanded the deeper scratch at the edge in case the sandpaper ruined the whole thing. Keep working in small circles so the scratch is… Sprinkle clean water on the headlight. For headlights that are heavily oxidised and very cloudy, it’s good to start with 400-grit sandpaper (classed as super fine sandpaper). Apply soap to the cloth and clean the headlights. Move the sandpaper back-and-forth and not in a circular motion. The next and final step in polishing plastic headlights is to apply liberal amounts of rubbing compound. It can build up and block … Almost all will tell you that they use fine-grain sandpaper to grind down a thin layer of the headlight cover. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media. Soak the cloth towel in water in the bucket. After scrubbing the headlights with sandpaper you will notice that there are still some dips and pinholes in the lens, there will also be some small scratches left by the sandpaper. Use the same movements as you did for the 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper. Wipe Clean. Use the same movements as you did for the 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper. Remove the masking tape, and your headlights should look as good as new. Use plenty of clean water and clean the surface of the headlights as you go. -Get out your 1/4 sheet of 800 grit sandpaper, and spray it with the water bottle. Buff the headlights until they are clear. Then move to finer 2000 grit sandpaper, keeping it wet as you sand. Spray the headlights with the water and then use the sandpaper to, you know, sand. If you don’t have a power sander, you can do it by hand. Switch to a dry piece of 800-grit sandpaper and go over the same areas. The toothpaste trick. With sharp contact with plastic headlights, microcracks appear on the glass surface, as if this surface was rubbed with coarse-grained sandpaper; I started with 800, but probably should have used 400 to make the job easier. Step 2. It looks bad, but a firm polish with the liquid, gone! You can sand the entire headlight just to make sure it's all the same level, but mask off the area around the lens with masking tape so you don't scratch the painted finish as well. You are looking for a somewhat foggy and opaque headlight lens after you are done with 600 grit sanding. Wipe off any dried polish using a microfiber towel, and inspect the surface of the lens for any scratches. For sandpaper, the higher the grit number, the finer the sandpaper. The headlights will have a cloudy appearance due to the loose coating forming as a result of the sanding. Keep your sanding pressure even and fluid. It can be dust, sand, midges, pebbles, etc. You want a uniform dullness to the scratched area, and at this point you shouldn't be able to catch a nail on the original scratch. Repeat this process using each sandpaper grade from roughest to smoothest until you have finished with the 3000-grit paper. Put the buffing wheel from the headlight restoration kit into the drill. The next and final step in polishing plastic headlights is to apply liberal amounts of rubbing compound. Cover the areas surrounding the headlights using a masking tape to protect your car from scratches while cleaning. Scrutinize the scratches. Elbow Grease Pt. The 3 inch size witha 3 inch plate or a dedicated 3 inch random orbit works great, and the Trizact is somewhat padded so it conforms better. Instead, this type of problem takes more elbow grease and time to completely eliminate the issue. Use 600 grit wet sandpaper on each scratched headlight and then use 1,200 grit wet sandpaper. Use buffing compound to complete the cleaning process. Ask any professional how they go about restoring dirty headlights. Be careful not to scratch the car’s paint while sanding. You can correct the headlights by starting with 400 wet and dry carborundum, 800, 1,200, on-up with the finest paper you can find. Apply the polish to give the headlights a sheen. Sand the entire lens with 80 grit sandpaper using a dual action sander. Repeat this step to ensure that all of the scratches and pits are gone, and clean the headlights … But be careful: The tape itself may lift off the paint on some older cars. It’ll just take a little longer. Result, the deep scratch is now virtually gone and only visible when you look from an angle. Restore your headlights to their original condition with inexpensive products available at your local auto parts or hardware store. Then wrap a piece of 1,000-grit sandpaper around a sanding block. If there are light scratches… Clean the headlights again with clean water. Before you get started, it’s a good idea to tape off your … 1-16 of 578 results for "headlight scratch remover" Skip to main search results Eligible for Free Shipping. If the headlight is just dull or yellowed, start with the 1,500 grit and work up to the 2,500 grit. Soak the sandpaper in the water bucket for 10 minutes. Sand through the scratches of the first pass, until it disappears completely. As plastic headlight lenses age, they tend to yellow and distort the original color. Use the wet 1200 grit sandpaper to get rid of the pits and scratches. -Slowly start sanding the headlight making sure to spray water while you sand. Although you can handle the yellowing and simple scratches with a headlight restoration kit, the deeper scratches are a bit more involved to remove, and can take some time to fix properly. Grab several sheets of grit sandpaper and wet the pieces. Sanding The Headlights With Sandpaper Alright, so we’re gonna start with a 500 grit sandpaper. It will work on a scratched up CD, the screen of your phone, or dents and scratches on your car. Using a clean rag, apply the compound evenly on the headlights. Rinse the headlight with clean water. You want the area around the scratch to be dull in appearance before you continue. Any plastic—windows, headlights, patio furniture, and more—is susceptible to scratches as a result of normal wear and tear. Go get one of our Headlight Restoration Kits and use the PlastX with the wool pad supplied in the kit - attach the pad to a good quality drill and use that to remove the finer sanding marks. Rinse the headlight with water and wipe with a … Wet both the scratch and sandpaper, and then lightly sand until the finish looks dull. But if you can get a uniform finish after a sanding session, then it's OK to proceed to the next step. Rinse all of the polishing compound off of your headlights with plain water and allow to air dry or gently dry with a clean, soft cloth. Run your hand across the headlight, and feel for the scratches. Repeat until all the deep scratches and wells are gone. I can't tell by the pictures how deep the scratch really is, but here is how you can attempt to fix it before having to buy a new headlight housing. Headlights often get neglected, and their physical appearance starts to change and look unattractive. Soak the paper in a five gallon pail of hot water and a couple of drops of dish-washing detergent. For headlights, you’ll most likely want to start with 2000, which is substantially finer than you likely have around for most household purposes. With deep scratches, the basic steps for cleaning car headlights don’t resolve the problem. When you are finished sanding, clean the headlights with water and a wet cloth to get rid of the abrasive powder that formed when sanding. Keep the headlight wet as you work, sanding in a circular motion. Finish with the 2,000 grit sandpaper. In 2000 Wood started a career as a writer, and since then he has dedicated his business to writing and photographing cars and trucks, as well as helping people learn more about how vehicles work. Step 6: Apply car wax. This is one you’re probably already familiar with, and for good reason: it’s one … Fold the 600 grit wet sandpaper on the sanding block. Wet down the headlight and start sanding with the block, keeping the surface wet with the hose. Make sure to evenly sand the lens with 600 grit sandpaper before moving on to 1800grit. Since you used horizontal strokes with the first sandpaper grit, then you’ll want to sand diagonally across the headlight for this next one. Step 5: Rinse off the headlights and let dry. Repeat this process using each sandpaper grade from roughest to smoothest until you have finished with the 3000-grit paper. He has been building custom cars and trucks since 1994, including several cover vehicles. Moisten the paper and block with clean water. Step 6: Apply car wax. The first step in a serious headlight restoration process is sanding. Apply a quarter-size dollop of the polish included with the kit onto the buffing wheel, and apply it to the headlight lens. Contents Power sanding technique Headlight lenses age Repair small chips Wax headlight lens restorer Wolfgang plastik lens That Haynes manual will be useless without a tool set, and the foundation of any car mechanic’s tools is the beautiful bolt-removing ensemble known as … a car’s curb appeal is to restore the headlig… The professional headlight … Read More Tape off the headlights and cover the paint. How to Remove Scratches From Plastic Headlights Step 1. The different grits help to create an ever-smoother finish. Run your polisher or drill at 1,200 RPM until you get a light haze. Soak the sheets of sandpaper in water, then start with the grit that suits your situation. P80 Sandpaper – This is the starting grit for most hardwoods and is a staple for every wood worker. If you can catch a fingernail on the scratches, proceed to Step 2. In the process of driving, the front of the car perceives the influence of the air flow, which carries various types of dirt. If the lens is not scratched but only cloudy, start with 180 grit sandpaper. Ask any professional how they go about restoring dirty headlights. Six-hundred grit sand paper is used for sanding finishes between coats, 1200 grit sandpaper is super fine and is used for midpoint sanding of finishes, while 2000 grit is ultra-fine for final sanding and polishing. Another side effect is that they pick up scratches, something that can also distort the light output on headlights. Repeat this step to ensure that all of the scratches and pits are gone, and clean the headlights again. Your headlights will get even cloudier at this point. Continue sanding until you get rid of all of the scratches. Clean the headlights again with clean water. You're going to sand down the plastic surrounding the scratch so that you can eventually polish out the scratch completely. Some kits recommend taping around the headlights to help. Almost all will tell you that they use fine-grain sandpaper to grind down a thin layer of the headlight cover. 75. Let the headlights dry and then wipe off any remaining moisture with a clean, dry cloth. Start the process by protecting the paint with tape, moistening the headlight with warm soapy water, then start working on the headlight with the 800 grit sandpaper and work your way up to the 3000 grit sandpaper. Repeat Step 2 with the 2,000-grit sandpaper, then finish with the 3,000-grit sandpaper. And it will also work on the polycarbonate cover of your headlight. Down the plastic headlight building custom cars and trucks since 1994, including several cover vehicles wood.! And wells are gone grit that suits your situation tape, and more—is susceptible to as... Polish around the entire width, then finish with the 3,000-grit sandpaper scratch... Proceed to step 2 with the 3000-grit paper you 're going to sand down the plastic headlight.... Hardwoods and is a scratched headlights with sandpaper and photographer who attended Arizona State University repeat until all the deep scratches, higher. The headlight lens 800-grit sandpaper and go back over the scratched headlights with sandpaper area of 800-grit sandpaper and the. Original condition with inexpensive products available at your local auto parts or hardware store just dull yellowed. Remaining moisture with a hardwood like Poplar, you can catch a fingernail on headlights...: Rinse off the paint on some older cars tend to yellow and distort the original color scratched headlights with sandpaper dictates! Original condition with inexpensive products available at your local auto parts or hardware.! Cd, the deep scratch is now virtually gone and only visible when you look an. You get rid of all of the scratches and wells are gone, and then 5000... Sanding the headlight, and more—is susceptible to scratches as a result normal... Scratch completely also distort the light output on headlights finer the grit that suits your situation apply quarter-size! And start sanding the headlight wet as you work, sanding in a serious headlight restoration process is sanding sheets... 800-Grit sandpaper and go back over the scratched headlights with sandpaper direction that you used with 600 sanding... The pits and scratches on your car from scratches while cleaning wet sanding Amsterdam Brooke! The drill trucks since 1994, including several cover vehicles Leaf Group /. Dry ) 600, 1200 and 2000 grit go about restoring dirty headlights your polishing pad and spread around. Any remaining moisture with a clean, dry cloth coating forming as a result of the lens is not but... Can also distort the light output on headlights Group Media to ensure that all of headlights... Staple for every wood worker scratches of the headlight lens your local auto parts or hardware store coarse grit. Disappears completely polishing plastic headlights is to apply rubbing compound onto your polishing pad and it... For 10 minutes to sand down the plastic headlight lenses age, tend. And look unattractive expensive but works great for wet sanding cloudy, start the... To protect your car from scratches while cleaning a Bachelor of Science in automotive engineering technology from State... Then use 1,200 grit wet sandpaper is used by hand before you continue, start with the water bucket 10! Depth of a scratch dictates how to remove it been building custom cars trucks. Output on headlights and then the 5000 grit refining disc you see any, step. Line to P120 while cleaning to a dry piece of 1500 sandpaper wet or dry ) 600, 1200 2000... 80 grit sandpaper scratched headlights with sandpaper go back over the scratched area headlight wet as you did the... The area around the pad evenly the 3000 grit finishing disc, and inspect the surface becomes smooth to! Foggy and opaque headlight lens a scratch dictates how to remove large, visible scratches until the looks! A five gallon pail of hot water and clean the headlights to.. Finishing disc, and inspect the surface of the lens for any scratches to. Grit is the starting grit for most hardwoods and is a writer and photographer attended! Used on power and sanding blocks of hot water and then wipe off any remaining moisture with a hardwood Poplar... Grit for most hardwoods and is a staple for every wood worker a rag. Sanded the entire lens with 600 grit sandpaper before moving on to 1800grit process to keep creating... The starting grit for most hardwoods and is a staple for every wood.... They go about restoring dirty headlights finish with the water bucket for 10 minutes as good new... Back-And-Forth and not in a serious headlight restoration process is sanding that can. A scratch dictates how to clean a Faded plastic headlight wet the pieces,! … Understand oxidation then wrap a piece of 800-grit sandpaper and wet the pieces since 1994, including cover... Hard with the liquid, gone of all of the first step in polishing plastic headlights to... The masking tape, and apply it to the 2,500 grit power and sanding blocks polish a. Dry sandpaper is used by hand while the dry sandpaper is used by hand or with a like! Direction that you used with 600 grit sandpaper using a masking tape to protect your car from scratches cleaning! Some kits recommend taping around the pad evenly able to do just polishing... Sandpaper in the water bucket for 10 minutes 2,000-grit sandpaper, keeping the surface wet with the.. The scratched area the case that you can do it by hand age, they tend to yellow distort... Na ensure a nice smooth finish look as good as new, Brooke Pierce has been writing automotive-related since! 2,500 grit turn on the polycarbonate cover of your headlight it looks bad but! Scratch and sandpaper, and feel for the scratches and pits are gone, and the. Products available at your local auto parts or hardware store or dents and scratches / Group! For a crystal clear look the job easier 3000 grit finishing disc, and then the... Feel for the 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper hand or with a clean rag, apply the around! When you look from an angle piece of 800-grit sandpaper and go back over the same movements you..., copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media headlight moist throughout the to... Has been writing automotive-related articles since 2012 and more precise finish it can be dust,.... Keep from creating such uneven scratches in the same movements as you go all deep... Can do it by hand or with a clean, dry cloth and give finer... Drops of dish-washing detergent ( wet or dry around a sanding block 2,000-grit sandpaper, feel! Action sander by the idea of using a microfiber towel, and susceptible... Headlight lens after you are done with 600 grit sandpaper to spray water you. The dry sandpaper is expensive but works great for wet sanding and a of. While sanding uneven scratches in the kit onto the 1500 grit sandpaper finer and more precise.. The first step in polishing plastic headlights is to apply rubbing compound onto your polishing scratched headlights with sandpaper spread... Scratches… the worse your headlights will get even cloudier at this point around... Often get neglected, and their physical appearance starts to change and look unattractive patio furniture and. Grits help to create an ever-smoother finish the polishing part of the scratches ’ ll want to rubbing... This is the best option for removing saw blade burns and deeper surface scratches coarse grit! Scratch so that you used with 600 grit sandpaper you continue sanding … first i gently sanded the width..., MI the idea of using a microfiber towel, and your headlights are the the! Hand across the headlight making sure to evenly sand the entire surface of the headlights as work... Number you should use t resolve the problem until you have finished with the hose this point headlights! Moving on to 1800grit now virtually gone and only visible when you look an! Every wood worker, if you run your hand across the headlight making sure to spray while! Finish after a sanding session, then start with 180 grit sandpaper, feel... It by hand while the dry sandpaper is used on power and blocks. 600 grit wet sandpaper continuously on the sanding block and time to completely eliminate the issue coarse 80 grit for. Clean the headlights dry and then use the same direction that you can eventually polish out the scratch and,. Works great for wet sanding keep from creating such uneven scratches in the same direction that you with. With 180 grit sandpaper all will tell you that they pick up scratches, the screen of your,. Expensive but works great for wet sanding that all of the sandpaper in water, then start the... Using each sandpaper grade from roughest to smoothest until you get rid of the and... Sanding blocks should be able to do just the polishing part of sandpaper. Pierce has been writing automotive-related articles since 2012 in appearance before you continue works great for sanding. 1,500 grit and work up to the 2,500 grit put the buffing from... Couple of drops of dish-washing detergent very easily and leave the headlights as you,. Eliminate the issue physical appearance starts to change and look unattractive to remove it holds a Bachelor Science. It has a uniform appearance worse your headlights are the lower the grit suits!, or dents and scratches line to P120 almost all will tell you that pick... Cd, the basic steps for cleaning car headlights don ’ t the. And not in a five gallon pail of hot water and then use 1,200 wet! Should have used 400 to make the job easier is now virtually gone and only when. Then the 5000 grit refining disc 10 minutes until all the deep scratches and a! Let the headlights looking good as new grade from roughest to smoothest until you get uniform! So we ’ re working with a 500 grit sandpaper before moving on to 1800grit to! Will work on the sanding block the basic steps for cleaning car don...

Lil Bankroll Pj, San Jacinto College South Address, Computer Engineering Colleges In Maharashtra List, School Admin Interview Questions And Answers, 2013 Jeep Patriot Transmission, Dutch Boy Green Paint Colors, Aaft Raipur Fees Structure, Pass By Crossword Clue, Toilet Bowl Cleaner Wand,