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Diy - Headlamp Sanding And Polishing


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#11
vr2turbo

Posted 16 July 2013 - 08:03 AM

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QUOTE (amir @ Jul 15 2013, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I sensed bro turbo got a kick seing yellowish headlamps turn clear. All those polishing is for the DIY enthusiast.
Here's my mediocre attempt. Handpolish for 15 minutes per lamp using cheap scratch remover on my 7 years old altis headlamp. The yellowish tinge is still there but overall looks OK to me. Can't it expect to look brand new. As long as not foggy and dull should be just fine with me.


If just yellow can also just polish with the plastic polish I showed earlier, but if turn deep yellow and especially have or feel a cracked layer on top you will need to sand it down first to get a good finish.

Actually I did my second headlamps last week have not loaded up the pictures yet.... smile_tongue.gif

#12
cute_boboi

Posted 16 July 2013 - 11:51 AM

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QUOTE (vr2turbo @ Jul 16 2013, 08:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If just yellow can also just polish with the plastic polish I showed earlier, but if turn deep yellow and especially have or feel a cracked layer on top you will need to sand it down first to get a good finish.

Actually I did my second headlamps last week have not loaded up the pictures yet.... smile_tongue.gif


The polishing done is top-class. Full marks 100% smile_thumbup.gif smile_thumbup.gif smile_thumbup.gif
Looks like a new-cover unit. Next time I sub-con to you smile_tongue.gif

"When Columbus started out he didn`t know where he was going. When he got there he didn`t know where he was and when he got back he didn`t know where he had been." - Anonymous

#13
tkhoo

Posted 16 July 2013 - 03:28 PM

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bro turbo,

you sand paper it with water and final only polish it with the OTC product? Where can I get this?

#14
vr2turbo

Posted 16 July 2013 - 06:16 PM

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QUOTE (cute_boboi @ Jul 16 2013, 11:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The polishing done is top-class. Full marks 100% smile_thumbup.gif smile_thumbup.gif smile_thumbup.gif
Looks like a new-cover unit. Next time I sub-con to you smile_tongue.gif

First trial, not 100%. Could still see some fine line not visible by camera... smile_tongue.gif
New Cover? well, owner was very very happy with it.... smile_wink.gif
No problem brother. Next time we can DIT - Do It Together..... smile_thumbup.gif

#15
vr2turbo

Posted 16 July 2013 - 06:20 PM

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QUOTE (tkhoo @ Jul 16 2013, 03:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
bro turbo,

you sand paper it with water and final only polish it with the OTC product? Where can I get this?

bro. tkhoo,
Depending on how bad the state of the plastic cover, then use the sand paper according to the roughness.
100 grit is very very rough, that is why I use 500, 800, 1500, 2000 accordingly to rid the lines of the former.
If your cover is stain yellow only, probably can use grit 2000 then polish.

That OTC product can be bought in Hypermarkets like Tesco, Aeon BIG and so on.
By hand need more elbow grease. I had help by borrowing my friend's rotary for the last part.... smile_tongue.gif

#16
yeong

Posted 16 July 2013 - 09:56 PM

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Always scared to use sand paper as thought too rough, but your 2000 prove perfect,nice... so those myvi plastic lights also applicable? watch youtube people use toothpaste but doubt it works good.

Wira one is glass, still shiny after 16 years+... lol

#17
vr2turbo

Posted 17 July 2013 - 08:18 AM

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QUOTE (yeong @ Jul 16 2013, 09:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Always scared to use sand paper as thought too rough, but your 2000 prove perfect,nice... so those myvi plastic lights also applicable? watch youtube people use toothpaste but doubt it works good.

Wira one is glass, still shiny after 16 years+... lol

Some headlamp polish actually comes supplied with 2000 grit sandpaper and instructions also states,
"Use a wet 2000 Sandpaper to polish off the excess oxidation (on wet headlamp) before apply Head Lamp Polish"

As mentioned before depending on how severe the headlamps are then use accordingly.
If starting to yellow just polish with headlamp polish. If oxidizes slightly like more yellowing then probably the 2000 grit sanding then polish.
For very severe cases like what I did then need severe method. So even case may need different approach.
But the main thing is when use sandpaper make sure it is wet sanding..... smile_thumbup.gif

I have two old cars then have glass headlamps too. 16 and 22 years old and still clear...ha! ha! smile_tongue.gif

#18
tkhoo

Posted 17 July 2013 - 08:52 AM

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QUOTE (vr2turbo @ Jul 16 2013, 06:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
bro. tkhoo,
Depending on how bad the state of the plastic cover, then use the sand paper according to the roughness.
100 grit is very very rough, that is why I use 500, 800, 1500, 2000 accordingly to rid the lines of the former.
If your cover is stain yellow only, probably can use grit 2000 then polish.

That OTC product can be bought in Hypermarkets like Tesco, Aeon BIG and so on.
By hand need more elbow grease. I had help by borrowing my friend's rotary for the last part.... smile_tongue.gif

Thanks.

#19
jasondotcom

Posted 17 July 2013 - 10:44 AM

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Glass lens are awesome. They can outlast the car even! Too bad most cars nowadays come with plastic lenses. I hate them!

Anyway, Good job vr2turbo! smile_thumbup.gif

 


#20
vr2turbo

Posted 18 July 2013 - 07:54 AM

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QUOTE (tkhoo @ Jul 17 2013, 08:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks.

you are welcome... smile_thumbup.gif