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Diy - Headlamp Sanding And Polishing


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#1
vr2turbo

Posted 15 July 2013 - 08:32 AM

vr2turbo

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Hi guys,
Did my first DIY sanding and polishing of headlamp for a friend.
This lamp was in really bad state, so he remove and send to my house and ask to attempt reconditioning it for him.
He mentioned he has already sent to accessory shop for polishing but they could not do it.

Here is how the condition when it came....


Close up


Even closer


There is a layer of melted plastic on top, that is why the accessory shop could not polish it off

#2
vr2turbo

Posted 15 July 2013 - 08:38 AM

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This needed extreme measures to recondition.

Grit 100 sandpaper to remove the top melted layer, then grit 500 to remove grit 100 sandpaper mark, then 800 to 1500 and lastly to 2000 grit to get smooth surface before polishing.

Wet sanding


After 500 grit sanding


Trial on one side see how it goes


Not bad.... smile_thumbup.gif

#3
vr2turbo

Posted 15 July 2013 - 08:42 AM

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Before


After


You will still see some water marks. Apparently these are on the inside because these headlamps were cut open before to fit projector laps



#4
vr2turbo

Posted 15 July 2013 - 08:45 AM

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Before


Finished Project....


Thanks for viewing..... smile_thumbup.gif

Oh! Not pro, so using OTC product only....This.....


#5
cute_boboi

Posted 15 July 2013 - 11:31 AM

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Wow blink.gif Great job !!!
"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

#6
amir

Posted 15 July 2013 - 12:17 PM

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QUOTE (cute_boboi @ Jul 15 2013, 11:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wow blink.gif Great job !!!


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.



#7
cute_boboi

Posted 15 July 2013 - 04:57 PM

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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.



Got before pic ?

"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

#8
nagato

Posted 15 July 2013 - 08:56 PM

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Cool!!! Big difference before and after!!

#9
vr2turbo

Posted 16 July 2013 - 08:00 AM

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QUOTE (cute_boboi @ Jul 15 2013, 11:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wow blink.gif Great job !!!


QUOTE (nagato @ Jul 15 2013, 08:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Cool!!! Big difference before and after!!


Thanks brothers.... smile_thumbup.gif

Big difference because bad state already..... smile_tongue.gif

#10
amir

Posted 16 July 2013 - 08:01 AM

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QUOTE (cute_boboi @ Jul 15 2013, 04:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Got before pic ?

Sorry bro. Too eager to try out the scratch remover sampai forgot to take before pic. Hand polishing only works for mild to moderate faded and yellowish headlamps. If too severe condition, then got to do what bro vr2turbo do.