| Go back to previous topic | | Forum name | Interior/Exterior | | Topic subject | a desprate attempt to save my driver side headlight... | | Topic URL | https://forums.2gnt.com/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=i7&topic_id=55785 |
55785, a desprate attempt to save my driver side headlight... Posted by eclipticrider, Aug-23-03 03:20 PM
i was completely sick and tired of my driver side headlight being fogged up and crappy looking all the time, i've tried all of the commen remmedies... i don't feel that i'm capable enough to wet sand them, and i don't own a buffer (tried a dremel buffing tool once but it melted part of the headlight)
i was using laquer thinner to get some spray paint off my windows, and mirrors "click click" the light bulb turned on! i figured i could use a very little amount of laquer thinner on the head light with hope that it will turn out all right
the result wasn't bad at all, auctually pretty good, not perfect by any means but not nearly as bad as before, i used some metal polish and rubbing compounds to get out the scratches and such and it looks pretty damn good IMO
i will take some pics tomorrow and put them up it looks very good
WTB: Dodge Omni
 http://www.geocities.com/shadyporshe851proof/frame_content/indexframe.html
mods: star stage III clutch + 60mm tb + the normal mods, bass, lights well u get the picture
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55861, RE: a desprate attempt to save my driver side headlight... Posted by 95_ESi_Person, Aug-25-03 07:56 AM
what i had to do (this is for the haze that develops outside the lens) is use a 1500 grit sandpaper, and LIGHTLY wet sand them, and don't forget the squeegee to get that crap off of them. take a high speed buffer and some 3M Finess-it finishing material (looks like spooge) and squirt that on them lights and buff away.
when i get my pics up (hopefully tonight in it's own post) you will see what it did, they are REALLY clear!!!
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55883, RE: a desprate attempt to save my driver side headlight... Posted by theallpowerfulme, Aug-25-03 01:48 PM
go and get some mothers or blue coral rubbing compound and it will make 'em look new.
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55885, RE: a desprate attempt to save my driver side headlight... Posted by eclipticrider, Aug-25-03 02:34 PM
i may wet sand it but i'm affraid that i will mess it up big time and + all that work...
and i don't have a high speed buffer, just my dremel...
WTB: Dodge Omni
 http://www.geocities.com/shadyporshe851proof/frame_content/indexframe.html
mods: star stage III clutch + 60mm tb + the normal mods, bass, lights well u get the picture
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55890, RE: a desprate attempt to save my driver side headlight... Posted by theallpowerfulme, Aug-25-03 05:06 PM
dood, seriously my headlight looked just like yours, just rub on some compound, then buff it off w/ a towel and it'll look great.
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55909, RE: a desprate attempt to save my driver side headlight... Posted by Squid, Aug-26-03 03:13 AM
I initially did just try using polishing compound, but taht didn't do shit.
The wet sanding was a pain, but not impossible. I did mine without the use of power tools. But it was an assload of time.
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55914, RE: a desprate attempt to save my driver side headlight... Posted by 95_ESi_Person, Aug-26-03 07:14 AM
wet sanding is not that hard, get a bucket fill it with water, and pour some simple green in there, (it does wonders), some 1500 grit sandpaper, and a spounge, wrap the sandpaper in the spounge, dip one end of sponge in water so you can wipe stuff off, and then just get sandpaper wet, and go at it, LIGHTLY. you only want to scuff the surface, and only go in one direction because buffers work best when scratches go in one direction. (i highly reccomend 3M finess-it finishing material, compound has abrasives in it)
if you want to clean them instead of buffing, try some PPG Wax and Grease remover (prep salts).... that stuff is great on windows too!!!
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55948, RE: a desprate attempt to save my driver side headlight... Posted by eclipticrider, Aug-26-03 12:24 PM
i've tried several different rubbing compuds/polishes/waxes all that junk prolly spen about 30 dollers on stuff for it and still it goes back to YELLOW :( but i did use the laquer thinner and it came out real nice i polished it a few times w/some melal polish and it looks good, i will prolly try that 3M stuff u were talkning about too, i don't have a buffer so i just use good ole' fashn' elbow grease
later and thanks
WTB: Dodge Omni
 http://www.geocities.com/shadyporshe851proof/frame_content/indexframe.html
mods: star stage III clutch + 60mm tb + the normal mods, bass, lights well u get the picture
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55952, RE: a desprate attempt to save my driver side headlight... Posted by 95_ESi_Person, Aug-26-03 12:57 PM
that 3m stuff you will want a buffer, a low speed buffer, that stuff works by the heat generated by a buffer, you won't get anywhere without a buffer, you could try a LITTLE little little bit in your finger and press hard and rub, but to do the whole headlight, that would take FOREVER. get a 40 dollar buffer, that 3m stuff is about $40 too.
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55963, RE: a desprate attempt to save my driver side headlight... Posted by eclipticrider, Aug-26-03 03:35 PM
for about that much i can get a whole new headlight... damn...
WTB: Dodge Omni
 http://www.geocities.com/shadyporshe851proof/frame_content/indexframe.html
mods: star stage III clutch + 60mm tb + the normal mods, bass, lights well u get the picture
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55964, RE: a desprate attempt to save my driver side headlight... Posted by 95_ESi_Person, Aug-26-03 03:39 PM
$80 for a headlight? you gotta tell me where that is.... last time i checked it was at least 300 for one! (factory) and i remember paying $220 for a power mirror
but that $80 spend on buffer and finess-it isn't limited to just headlights!!! i did my tails, roof, mirrors, spoiler, (well, the whole car) and you can always use it again and again and again!!!
doing that, if you burn the plastic on the headlights, just re-wet sand that area and hit it again with the buffer (you will never see one so clear as after they are buffed)
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56041, RE: a desprate attempt to save my driver side headlight... Posted by eclipticrider, Aug-27-03 01:04 PM
well my step bro works at a junk yard, if i can ever get a hold of him... will any buffer do? i think my dad has one but it's a cheep wal-mart one
WTB: Dodge Omni
 http://www.geocities.com/shadyporshe851proof/frame_content/indexframe.html
mods: star stage III clutch + 60mm tb + the normal mods, bass, lights well u get the picture
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56046, RE: a desprate attempt to save my driver side headlight... Posted by 95_ESi_Person, Aug-27-03 01:29 PM
i'm pretty sure any buffer will do
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