Head Lights Polished - Meguires

[gaffer1986]

Did this today, quite please but I thought it seems others on here have had better results:

Before:



After:

[gaffer1986]

Must say, it looks better in the photos.

[tomaky]

Its an improvement but you cant beat the machine polish. If we ever cross paths id gladly whap the polisher on  s:) s:)

[gaffer1986]

That's very kind of you  s:) s:)  It's a shame I can't find any aftermarket headlights, I think it would good with the internals black like the below link:

http://www.norcalmr2.com/mrs-headlightinstall/

[gaffer1986]

Does it help if you polish the inside of the lenses also?

[trickyD]

I use Farecla G3 paste and waffle pad which works well also, but only lasts 2-3 months until the sun degrades the untreated plastic.
Does anyone know how to stop the UV damage?

And don't say Sunscreen!

[Ardent]

Strangely you have answered your own question

You do use sunscreen - for plastics.
Aerospace 303 for instance. UV protection for your stuff. (spf 40)

edit
http://www.autogeek.net/303aerprot.html

[tomaky]

Gaffer if your splitting the lenses to polish the insides you might as well paint the internals black  s;) s;)  its been done before  s:) s:)

[trickyD]

Thanks Ardent  s:) s:)
I did wonder if it would work

[ashtons99]

I did mine this week with Meguiars cutting polish on a microfibre pad on DA. They have come up great, taken all stone chips out too.

[tomaky]

Be warned splitting them is a paint in the backside.

[nimrod]

I thought about splitting the headlights, as mine are going slightly inside, but chickened out, I was also worried when fitting back together that they might not be as air tight.

[tomaky]

Air tight isnt so hard, think its more splitting the swines.

[Joesson]

My pfl headlights aren't air tight they have sponge filled breather holes as OE.

[no1trancefan]

Did this today, quite please but I thought it seems others on here have had better results:

Before:



After:

these are the spitting image of min,e on my to do list, anyone got a guide for getting the headlights out will be my first attempt

[tomaky]

Machine polish...

[gaffer1986]

I probably won't bother splitting them, I know someone who has done a few with a machine polish and wet sand paper, may get him to give it a go. BTW I did 6 goes of the polish on each light to get this result.

[trickyD]

What grade sandpaper? Seems a bit excessive.... :/

[mikews]

Start low - 800 and work up...

I have a headlight that's no use, May split it later and then do a test, sandpaper part, machine another, hand polish, toothpaste, any others ?

[trickyD]

Please do!  s:) s:)

[mikews]

So, as I said I had an old headlight with broken clips so thought i'd split it and give the lens a few polishes using different products

Some pics of the headlight before





Once the missus had gone to bed (she works nights), I chucked it in the oven. Remember to remove all bulbs, rubber caps and the screw at the top of the lens on the back. Fan over at 140 degrees for 10 minutes. Split amazingly easily however the sealant went everywhere. I'd recommend you have a second pair of hands to aid with stopping the sealant ending up on the interior plastics.

Once it was separated I segmented the lens up into 9 sections using tape.

Section 1 was sanded with 400, 800, 1200, 1500 & 2500 dry followed by 2500 wet. (Few £ in halfords for a kit)
Section 2 was sanded at 2500 dry then 2500 wet only.
Section 3 - Aquafresh toothpaste. (£1)
Section 4 - Meguiars Ultimate Liquid compound (~£10 @ halfords)
Section 5 - Car pride scratch remover (£2)
Section 6 - Astonish Oven cleaner(£1)
Section 7 - Mantis Scratch Remover (~£12)
Section 8 - Wilko own brand colour restorer (£2)
Section 9 - Autoglym Paint Renovator(£8)

At this point all products were applied by hand

The ones I felt were best were



It's worth mentioning that the tape used to separate the sections had been removed at that point showing the original state of the lens

And a quick overview. The 3 you can make out are the 2 just sanded areas and Astonish oven cleaner (proves to be no good on headlights but great for exhausts)



My personal opinion was that the Autoglym Paint Renovator had done the best job and been the easiest to use, so I gave the whole lens a buff by hand.



This brought out most of the marks and the whole lens is looking better generally than before. I grabbed the rotary out and decided that I'd try using the AG on a waffle pad, which was working however have had to pause proceedings as the mop is just far too loud whilst the OH is sleeping.

One thing I did notice though is that the AG is far too "wet" and was getting flung everywhere. Will update later once I have a chance to attack it.

[trickyD]

What a guy!!! Thanks  s:) s:)

This should be a sticky

[mikews]

Right its finished

Found that with the Autoglym Paint Renovator when used on a rotary, you only need a tiny amount applied frequently.

Ended up with great results - Straight after being hit



Then I gave it 2 coats of Meguiars Carnaubu Wax






So from my, not so scientific, test, a good finish can be achieved by hand using off the shelf products, however really a machine polish is the only way to perfect it.

[Fin]

That looks fantastic!! I have a spare set in the shed that need work. When you say 'Autoglym paint restorer', do you mean their paint 'renovator'?
I just want to make sure I get the right product   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  
I have got the fleece pads etc, would I get a better result using sponges (mops)?
Extremely chuffed you were willing to take the time to do this and post it up! Thanks   s:bowdown: :bowdown: s:bowdown:

[Ardent]

Superb!
A sticky in the making as suggested.