MR2 Mk III headlamp

Started by wingswriter, February 28, 2015, 10:54

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wingswriter

February 28, 2015, 10:54 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
I'm on the point of buying a 53-plate MR2, 32k miles, immaculate in all respects so far as I can see. Except...the nearside headlamp cover has light fogging/dullness, almost as if it has been abraded. The dealer says this will polish out. Any thoughts from other owners?

Davegtst

#1
February 28, 2015, 11:15 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
It may polish out but not always.  I ended up paying about £170 for a brand new one as mine wouldn't polish.

Chimjunkie

#2
February 28, 2015, 11:36 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
If it is surface dullness/fine scratches then it will polish out. My multi-talented other half has refurbed her headlights in the past. You must be meticulous though!! Realistically you can only achieve the result below with a decent buffing machine and experience. Good idea to add a UV protective coating again when done.

Pitted and scratched lights


Rubbed down to 120 grit!!


Finished result

Eastsoutheast

#3
February 28, 2015, 11:52 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
WOW that looks as good as new. How did you get it to that from the initial 120 grit stage?

Thanks
Brian

theredone

#4
February 28, 2015, 13:55 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
Quote from: "wingswriter"I'm on the point of buying a 53-plate MR2, 32k miles, immaculate in all respects so far as I can see. Except...the nearside headlamp cover has light fogging/dullness, almost as if it has been abraded. The dealer says this will polish [/b]out. Any thoughts from other owners?

since you are just on the point of buying the car why not ask the dealer to polish it out before you part with the cash   s:) :) s:)

men3cac

#5
February 28, 2015, 14:38 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
I've done mine recently with meguires plast-x and a DA polishing machine I borrowed from a friend. If the bumper didn't have to come of it would have been a 10 minute job, but they're good and clear now

Chimjunkie

#6
February 28, 2015, 20:01 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
Quote from: "Eastsoutheast"WOW that looks as good as new. How did you get it to that from the initial 120 grit stage?

Thanks
Brian

Clean water, wet and dry paper, working your way up through the grades until around 1200 grade. Then a plastic polish such as men3cac suggests with a machine polisher. The main key to getting this right is meticulously clean water and making absolutely sure no grit gets onto the surface you are trying to polish.

maybeturbo

#7
February 28, 2015, 20:10 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
If you need to go as coarse as 120 grit you might as well sand it with an old brick! Lol.

No, only joking, but seriously, you shouldn't go rougher than about 1000 grit or you'll be sanding and polishing forever and a day, and another day.

Chimjunkie

#8
February 28, 2015, 20:35 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
Yes lots of work going back to 120! But with pits 1000 grade would not touch them in our case.

MrACD

#9
February 28, 2015, 22:18 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
Been having this issue with mine, as a quick fix I used cutting compound (wet applied) and this did ok, not perfect but ok..  Then polished with wax.

Would like to get it as new so think I will go down the wet sanding route with clear lacquer..
2003 Red Chilli, Hardtop and AC
2005 VW Golf Gti MK5 DSG
2005 Honda VFR 800 Vtec

wingswriter

#10
March 1, 2015, 12:43 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
<since you are just on the point of buying the car why not ask the dealer to polish it out before you part with the cash   s:) :) s:) [/quote]>

Since sealing the deal yesterday he's agreed to do that, so fingers crossed! Many thanks. No doubt I'll be back on the forum about something or other before too long, but having been smitten by the Mk III I drove when it first came out -- need for family transport ruled it out then -- I've promised myself I'd own one, and in a week's time I shall!

normanh

#11
March 1, 2015, 14:54 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
£135 CTP save a bit of dosh using our associate if you want a replacement.

Norman

Markb

#12
March 1, 2015, 16:08 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
Quote from: "normanh"£135 CTP save a bit of dosh using our associate if you want a replacement.

Norman


£199.99 now for a facelift unit   s:( :( s:(

 m http://genuineserviceparts.com/collecti ... =775103047 m

wingswriter

#13
March 9, 2015, 16:43 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
Quote from: "wingswriter"<since you are just on the point of buying the car why not ask the dealer to polish it out before you part with the cash   s:) :) s:)
>
Picked up the car this morning and the dealer's done a pretty good job. Thanks for advice. Naturally, it started to rain within an hour of getting the keys, so no chance yet of roof-off motoring.

theredone

#14
March 9, 2015, 18:36 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
glad to hear things have worked out.
if you keep moving you can drive topless in the rain without getting wet   s:) :) s:)

1979scotte

#15
March 9, 2015, 20:06 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
Agreed unless it's really heavy.
Love the looks you get on the motorway at 70.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Free Ukraine 🇺🇦

StuC

#16
March 9, 2015, 23:32 Last Edit: January 1, 1970, 01:00 by Guest
Quote from: "1979scotte"Agreed unless it's really heavy.
Love the looks you get on the motorway at 70.
+1

Only issue is when you do a screen wipe and all the collected water makes it easy you the a-post and over the window.  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
URBAN CUSTARD COLLECTIVE FOUNDING MEMBER
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