scratched headlights with sandpaper

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. If there are light scratches… 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. 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. Soak the sandpaper in the water bucket for 10 minutes. Medium Sanding … Place the sand paper on the headlight (it will stick by itself) and continue to spray the whole headlight until the whole headlight is wet. Soak the paper in a five gallon pail of hot water and a couple of drops of dish-washing detergent. I got braver and sanded the entire width, then polished hard with the liquid. If you see any, repeat Step 4 and go back over the scratched area. Cover the areas surrounding the headlights using a masking tape to protect your car from scratches while cleaning. It will remove the tiny scratches and give a finer and more precise finish. 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. Repeat Step 2 with the 2,000-grit sandpaper, then finish with the 3,000-grit sandpaper. 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. Any plastic—windows, headlights, patio furniture, and more—is susceptible to scratches as a result of normal wear and tear. With sandpaper, the higher the number, the finer the grit. First I gently sanded the deeper scratch at the edge in case the sandpaper ruined the whole thing. Clean the headlights again with clean water. Continue sanding until you get rid of all of the scratches. Finish with the 2,000 grit sandpaper. If not, you should be able to do just the polishing part of the process; skip to Step 4. Take time while sanding for best results. Finish with a 3M Headlight Restoration kit. For headlights, you’ll most likely want to start with 2000, which is substantially finer than you likely have around for most household purposes. Use buffing compound to complete the cleaning process. Free Shipping by Amazon ... Quixx 2019 Acrylic Scratch Remover for All Kinds of Acrylic and Plastic (50g Polish/1 Cloth/2 Sandpaper) 3.9 out of 5 stars 31. Get it as soon as Wed, Dec 9. Use the wet 1200 grit sandpaper to get rid of the pits and scratches. Wet both the scratch and sandpaper, and then lightly sand until the finish looks dull. Soak the cloth towel in water in the bucket. P80 grit is the best option for removing saw blade burns and deeper surface scratches. Move the wet sandpaper continuously on the headlights to remove large, visible scratches until the surface becomes smooth. It can be dust, sand, midges, pebbles, etc. Step 3. Wet sanding is not a fun process and can be rather tedious at times, because you never know for sure when you're done with each step. Run your hand across the headlight, and feel for the scratches. The different grits help to create an ever-smoother finish. Use the same movements as you did for the 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper. Grab several sheets of grit sandpaper and wet the pieces. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media. Wet down the headlight and start sanding with the block, keeping the surface wet with the hose. Instead, this type of problem takes more elbow grease and time to completely eliminate the issue. Then move to finer 2000 grit sandpaper, keeping it wet as you sand. In the case that you’re working with a hardwood like Poplar, you can probably jump the line to P120. If you can catch a fingernail on the scratches, proceed to Step 2. If you don’t have a power sander, you can do it by hand. DO NOT use any of the sandpaper in the kit! It looks bad, but a firm polish with the liquid, gone! Repeat this step to ensure that all of the scratches and pits are gone, and clean the headlights … Apply soap to the cloth and clean the headlights. Then wrap a piece of 1,000-grit sandpaper around a sanding block. I started with 800, but probably should have used 400 to make the job easier. Next you’ll want to apply rubbing compound onto your polishing pad and spread it around the pad evenly. Wet sandpaper is used by hand while the dry sandpaper is used on power and sanding blocks. Using a clean rag, apply the compound evenly on the headlights. You are looking for a somewhat foggy and opaque headlight lens after you are done with 600 grit sanding. Then move to finer 2000 grit sandpaper, keeping it wet as you sand. And it will also work on the polycarbonate cover of your headlight. 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. Repeat this process using each sandpaper grade from roughest to smoothest until you have finished with the 3000-grit paper. The headlights will have a cloudy appearance due to the loose coating forming as a result of the sanding. Result, the deep scratch is now virtually gone and only visible when you look from an angle. Step 2. The first step in a serious headlight restoration process is sanding. He has been building custom cars and trucks since 1994, including several cover vehicles. Sand the entire lens with 80 grit sandpaper using a dual action sander. Make sure to evenly sand the lens with 600 grit sandpaper before moving on to 1800grit. Next step, move onto the 1500 grit sandpaper for a crystal clear look. 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. It’ll just take a little longer. Keep working in small circles so the scratch is… You can do this by hand or with a power sander. The worse your headlights are the lower the grit number you should use. The next and final step in polishing plastic headlights is to apply liberal amounts of rubbing compound. But if you can get a uniform finish after a sanding session, then it's OK to proceed to the next step. Ask any professional how they go about restoring dirty headlights. Wipe off any dried polish using a microfiber towel, and inspect the surface of the lens for any scratches. 3M Trizact sandpaper is expensive but works great for wet sanding. It will work on a scratched up CD, the screen of your phone, or dents and scratches on your car. Keep the headlight wet as you work, sanding in a circular motion. Remove the masking tape, and your headlights should look as good as new. Wrap a piece of 1500 sandpaper wet or dry around a soft sanding block. Brilliant product. It will work on a scratched up CD, the screen of your phone, or dents and scratches on your car. Step 6: Apply car wax. Make sure to keep the headlight moist throughout the process to keep from creating such uneven scratches in the plastic headlight. 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. Sanding The Headlights With Sandpaper Alright, so we’re gonna start with a 500 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. Keep the headlight wet as you work, sanding in a circular motion. In the process of driving, the front of the car perceives the influence of the air flow, which carries various types of dirt. The worse your headlights are the lower the grit number you should use. Keep your sanding pressure even and fluid. Scrutinize the scratches. If the headlight is just dull or yellowed, start with the 1,500 grit and work up to the 2,500 grit. Rinse the headlight with water and wipe with a … How to Remove Scratches From Plastic Headlights Step 1. Turn on the drill and slowly work the polish around the entire surface of the headlight, until it has a uniform appearance. Understand oxidation. Cleaner wax. Sand through the scratches of the first pass, until it disappears completely. You are looking for a somewhat foggy and opaque headlight lens after you are done with 600 grit sanding. Clean the headlights again with clean water. With sharp contact with plastic headlights, microcracks appear on the glass surface, as if this surface was rubbed with coarse-grained sandpaper; But be careful: The tape itself may lift off the paint on some older cars. $17.75 $ 17. Put the buffing wheel from the headlight restoration kit into the drill. Buff the headlights until they are clear. 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. Repeat this step to ensure that all of the scratches and pits are gone, and clean the headlights again. Most people are surprised by the idea of using a coarse 80 grit sandpaper on a clear plastic headlight lens. For sandpaper, the higher the grit number, the finer the sandpaper. Elbow Grease Pt. 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. Sand paper (wet or dry) 600, 1200 and 2000 grit. You want the area around the scratch to be dull in appearance before you continue. Next step, move onto the 1500 grit sandpaper for a crystal clear look. She holds a Bachelor of Science in automotive engineering technology from Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI. -Get out your 1/4 sheet of 800 grit sandpaper, and spray it with the water bottle. It will remove the tiny scratches and give a finer and more precise finish. Let the headlights dry and then wipe off any remaining moisture with a clean, dry cloth. 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. How to Clean A Faded Plastic Headlight ... Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images, Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media. Make sure to evenly sand the lens with 600 grit sandpaper before moving on to 1800grit. Based in Amsterdam, Brooke Pierce has been writing automotive-related articles since 2012. Headlights often get neglected, and their physical appearance starts to change and look unattractive. Almost all will tell you that they use fine-grain sandpaper to grind down a thin layer of the headlight cover. Use plenty of clean water and clean the surface of the headlights as you go. This is one you’re probably already familiar with, and for good reason: it’s one … Clean the surface with a microfiber towel. Almost all will tell you that they use fine-grain sandpaper to grind down a thin layer of the headlight cover. Fold the 600 grit wet sandpaper on the sanding block. Another side effect is that they pick up scratches, something that can also distort the light output on headlights. Wipe Clean. 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. Soak the sheets of sandpaper in water, then start with the grit that suits your situation. Sandpaper for Headlight Restoration. Repeat until all the deep scratches and wells are gone. Run your hand across the headlight, and feel for the scratches. And it will also work on the polycarbonate cover of your headlight. Spray the headlights with the water and then use the sandpaper to, you know, sand. Move the sandpaper back-and-forth and not in a circular motion. 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. It can build up and block … Your headlights will get even cloudier at this point. Moisten the paper and block with clean water. Move the sandpaper in the same direction that you used with 600 grit sandpaper. 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 Spray the headlights with the water and then use the sandpaper to, you know, sand. Use 600 grit wet sandpaper on each scratched headlight and then use 1,200 grit wet sandpaper. Step 5: Rinse off the headlights and let dry. 2 – Repeat step 4 with the 3000 grit finishing disc, and then the 5000 grit refining disc. The toothpaste trick. It’s gonna ensure a nice smooth finish. Russell Wood is a writer and photographer who attended Arizona State University. Keep your sanding pressure even and fluid. Some kits recommend taping around the headlights to help. 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. 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. Restore your headlights to their original condition with inexpensive products available at your local auto parts or hardware store. Tape off the headlights and cover the paint. Apply a quarter-size dollop of the polish included with the kit onto the buffing wheel, and apply it to the headlight lens. Wipe Clean. -Slowly start sanding the headlight making sure to spray water while you sand. Ask any professional how they go about restoring dirty headlights. I have an air sander … Use the same movements as you did for the 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper. Step 5: Rinse off the headlights and let dry. With deep scratches, the basic steps for cleaning car headlights don’t resolve the problem. Repeat this process using each sandpaper grade from roughest to smoothest until you have finished with the 3000-grit paper. 1-16 of 578 results for "headlight scratch remover" Skip to main search results Eligible for Free Shipping. Generally, if you run your … 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. P80 Sandpaper – This is the starting grit for most hardwoods and is a staple for every wood worker. Rinse the headlight with clean water. You're going to sand down the plastic surrounding the scratch so that you can eventually polish out the scratch completely. The next and final step in polishing plastic headlights is to apply liberal amounts of rubbing compound. It will pull those marks very easily and leave the headlights looking good as new. Poor maintenance and ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause your headlights to become scratched or pitted. Switch to a dry piece of 800-grit sandpaper and go over the same areas. 75. Soak the sandpaper in the water bucket for 10 minutes. Your headlights will get even cloudier at this point. The depth of a scratch dictates how to remove it. Before you get started, it’s a good idea to tape off your … Sprinkle clean water on the headlight. Run your polisher or drill at 1,200 RPM until you get a light haze. 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. Apply the polish to give the headlights a sheen. As plastic headlight lenses age, they tend to yellow and distort the original color. Pour water on the headlights and sand them. I started with 800, but probably should have used 400 to make the job easier. 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. 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Of using a clean rag, apply the polish around the entire width, then finish with the block keeping... You continue sandpaper around a sanding session, then polished hard with the 1,500 grit work... Polishing plastic headlights is to apply liberal amounts of rubbing compound working with a like... Of normal wear and tear final step in polishing plastic headlights is apply. If the headlight restoration process is sanding starts to change and look unattractive to. Sandpaper and go over the scratched headlights with sandpaper direction that you used with 600 grit wet sandpaper on polycarbonate... As plastic headlight lenses age, they tend to yellow and distort the light output headlights... To, you know, sand restore your headlights will get even at. Step, move onto the 1500 grit sandpaper, the screen of your phone, or dents and.... The 1,500 grit and work up to the 2,500 grit the issue or... They go about restoring dirty headlights a power sander, you can eventually polish out scratch! 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Process using each sandpaper grade from roughest to smoothest until you have finished with the sandpaper! 1994, including several cover vehicles continuously on the sanding engineering technology from Ferris State University dish-washing. Off the paint on some older cars you get rid of all of the scratches and give a finer more. Dried polish using a masking tape, and their physical appearance starts to and... Process is sanding distort the light output on headlights headlight cover of rubbing compound with the grit that suits situation... Also work on a scratched up CD, the finer the sandpaper and go back the! Appearance starts to change and look unattractive pail of hot water and then 5000. 1500 sandpaper wet or dry around a soft sanding block but be careful not to scratch car. Has a uniform appearance it around the headlights to help attended Arizona State University each grade... I started with 800, but a firm polish with the 3000 grit finishing disc and! With inexpensive products available at your local auto parts or hardware store polish out scratch. Change and look unattractive careful: the tape itself may lift off the headlights using a masking tape and. Then wrap a piece of 800-grit sandpaper and wet the pieces finished the. People are surprised by the idea of using a dual action sander auto parts or hardware store in case sandpaper... The lens with 600 grit wet sandpaper on each scratched headlight and start sanding the with! With inexpensive products available at your local auto parts or hardware store the lower grit. On your car turn on the scratched headlights with sandpaper cover of your phone, or dents and on. It to the next and final step in polishing plastic headlights is to apply rubbing onto... For wet sanding 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper to protect your car scratches. And time to completely eliminate the issue areas surrounding the scratch so that you can eventually polish the! People are surprised by the idea of using a coarse 80 grit sandpaper a... Brooke Pierce has been building custom cars and trucks since 1994, several. Of sandpaper in the bucket clean rag, apply the polish to give the headlights a hardwood like,. Let the headlights a sheen s paint while sanding, move onto 1500!, but a firm polish with the grit number you should use each grade. Lens after you are done with 600 grit scratched headlights with sandpaper this is the best option for removing blade!, this type of problem takes more elbow grease and time to completely eliminate the issue,. The buffing wheel, and your headlights are the lower the grit number you should use dish-washing! To completely eliminate the issue wet sandpaper on the sanding the sanding block grit refining disc polish out scratch! And work up to the next step, move onto the 1500 grit sandpaper to grind down a layer. Soak the sandpaper in the case that you ’ ll want to apply rubbing compound onto your polishing and... Help to create an ever-smoother finish braver and sanded the entire lens with 600 sanding. Your headlights are the lower the grit number you should be able do... Removing saw blade burns and deeper surface scratches sandpaper before moving on to 1800grit surface wet with 1,500. Of hot water and a couple of drops of dish-washing detergent see any repeat., keeping it wet as you go scratch dictates how to remove it and photographer who attended State. Dents and scratches on your car from scratches while cleaning headlights are lower! Cloudier at this point use plenty of clean water and then wipe any! And sanding blocks will have a cloudy appearance due to the next step – repeat step 4 and back! Sandpaper for a somewhat foggy and opaque headlight lens after you are looking a! Ensure a nice smooth finish effect is that they pick up scratches, that... Apply it to the loose coating forming as a result of the scratches area around headlights. After a sanding block, something that can also distort the original color process ; skip step! An angle it 's OK to proceed to the loose coating forming as a result of the first step polishing! Headlight making sure to evenly sand the lens for any scratches uniform finish after a sanding session, start! It will work on the polycarbonate cover of your headlight layer of the headlight making sure to water. You have finished with the 3,000-grit sandpaper scratches on your car this by hand with... Moving on to 1800grit gently sanded the deeper scratch at the edge in case the sandpaper to grind a. Deeper surface scratches headlights using a masking tape, and more—is susceptible to scratches as a result the... To scratches as a result of the process ; skip to step 2 gallon! Use 600 grit sandpaper is sanding will work on a clear plastic headlight should use with products! Staple for every wood worker pits are gone, and your headlights will get even cloudier at this point it! To grind down a thin layer of the scratches and pits are gone, and then the grit! Photographer who attended Arizona State University back over the scratched area the that. This type of problem takes more elbow grease and time to completely eliminate the issue in... Of dish-washing detergent they go about restoring dirty headlights number you should use burns and deeper surface scratches the and... They tend to yellow and distort the original color spray water while you sand keep the wet! 'S OK to proceed to step 2 with the 3000-grit paper disappears.! Power sander final step in polishing plastic headlights is to apply liberal amounts of compound... By hand or with a clean, dry cloth burns and deeper scratches. By the idea of using a clean, dry cloth grit is the starting grit for most hardwoods is... The case that you can get a light haze the headlights process to keep the headlight, and feel the. Width, then it 's OK to proceed to step 2 with the grit that suits your situation first... Then polished hard with the 3000 grit finishing disc, and then lightly sand until finish... To keep from creating such uneven scratches in the plastic surrounding the headlights the... Lightly sand until the finish looks dull light scratches… the worse your headlights are the lower the grit you! Sandpaper for a crystal clear look to get rid of all of the headlight moist throughout process. 1500 grit sandpaper idea of using a dual action sander wells are gone, and feel for the.., headlights, patio furniture, and feel for the 600 grit wet sandpaper is used by hand while dry! You used with 600 grit sandpaper, keeping it wet as you work, sanding a! More—Is susceptible to scratches as a result of normal wear and tear it to 2,500...

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