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. Wipe Clean. Tape off the headlights and cover the paint. 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. Wet both the scratch and sandpaper, and then lightly sand until the finish looks dull. The worse your headlights are the lower the grit number you should use. With sandpaper, the higher the number, the finer the grit. You can do this by hand or with a power sander. Step 5: Rinse off the headlights and let dry. With sharp contact with plastic headlights, microcracks appear on the glass surface, as if this surface was rubbed with coarse-grained sandpaper; Wet sandpaper is used by hand while the dry sandpaper is used on power and sanding blocks. Headlights often get neglected, and their physical appearance starts to change and look unattractive. Switch to a dry piece of 800-grit sandpaper and go over the same areas. 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. 3M Trizact sandpaper is expensive but works great for wet sanding. Soak the sheets of sandpaper in water, then start with the grit that suits your situation. If the headlight is just dull or yellowed, start with the 1,500 grit and work up to the 2,500 grit. Run your polisher or drill at 1,200 RPM until you get a light haze. Sand through the scratches of the first pass, until it disappears completely. Step 6: Apply car wax. Since you used horizontal strokes with the first sandpaper grit, then you’ll want to sand diagonally across the headlight for this next one. Another side effect is that they pick up scratches, something that can also distort the light output on headlights. Use the same movements as you did for the 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper. 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. Almost all will tell you that they use fine-grain sandpaper to grind down a thin layer of the headlight cover. If not, you should be able to do just the polishing part of the process; skip to Step 4. 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. If there are light scratches… It will pull those marks very easily and leave the headlights looking good as new. P80 grit is the best option for removing saw blade burns and deeper surface scratches. Repeat this step to ensure that all of the scratches and pits are gone, and clean the headlights … Sand paper (wet or dry) 600, 1200 and 2000 grit. And it will also work on the polycarbonate cover of your headlight. Most people are surprised by the idea of using a coarse 80 grit sandpaper on a clear plastic headlight lens. 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. First I gently sanded the deeper scratch at the edge in case the sandpaper ruined the whole thing. Although you can handle the yellowing and simple scratches with a headlight restoration kit, the deeper scratches are a bit more involved to remove, and can take some time to fix properly. Move the sandpaper in the same direction that you used with 600 grit sandpaper. The worse your headlights are the lower the grit number you should use. Remove the masking tape, and your headlights should look as good as new. 1-16 of 578 results for "headlight scratch remover" Skip to main search results Eligible for Free Shipping. Get it as soon as Wed, Dec 9. For headlights, you’ll most likely want to start with 2000, which is substantially finer than you likely have around for most household purposes. Almost all will tell you that they use fine-grain sandpaper to grind down a thin layer of the headlight cover. Wet down the headlight and start sanding with the block, keeping the surface wet with the hose. Spray the headlights with the water and then use the sandpaper to, you know, sand. 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. Grab several sheets of grit sandpaper and wet the pieces. $17.75 $ 17. Exposure to abrasive materials. Apply soap to the cloth and clean the headlights. Use 600 grit wet sandpaper on each scratched headlight and then use 1,200 grit wet 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. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media. And it will also work on the polycarbonate cover of your headlight. Repeat Step 2 with the 2,000-grit sandpaper, then finish with the 3,000-grit sandpaper. Rinse the headlight with water and wipe with a … It will work on a scratched up CD, the screen of your phone, or dents and scratches on your car. Run your hand across the headlight, and feel for the scratches. You're going to sand down the plastic surrounding the scratch so that you can eventually polish out the scratch completely. 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. Use the wet 1200 grit sandpaper to get rid of the pits and scratches. In the case that you’re working with a hardwood like Poplar, you can probably jump the line to P120. You are looking for a somewhat foggy and opaque headlight lens after you are done with 600 grit sanding. Rinse the headlight with water and wipe with a … Apply the polish to give the headlights a sheen. For headlights that are heavily oxidised and very cloudy, it’s good to start with 400-grit sandpaper (classed as super fine sandpaper). Buff the headlights until they are clear. How to Remove Scratches From Plastic Headlights Step 1. Instead, this type of problem takes more elbow grease and time to completely eliminate the issue. Any plastic—windows, headlights, patio furniture, and more—is susceptible to scratches as a result of normal wear and tear. Scrutinize the scratches. They seem sheets, small sheets cut to fit blocks and 3 and 6 inch round, which is what I used for wet sanding of headlight covers. The next and final step in polishing plastic headlights is to apply liberal amounts of rubbing compound. Move the wet sandpaper continuously on the headlights to remove large, visible scratches until the surface becomes smooth. Apply a quarter-size dollop of the polish included with the kit onto the buffing wheel, and apply it to the headlight lens. In the process of driving, the front of the car perceives the influence of the air flow, which carries various types of dirt. Next step, move onto the 1500 grit sandpaper for a crystal clear look. Clean the headlights again with clean water. It looks bad, but a firm polish with the liquid, gone! Wrap a piece of 1500 sandpaper wet or dry around a soft sanding block. 75. Pour water on the headlights and sand them. Soak the cloth towel in water in the bucket. If you can catch a fingernail on the scratches, proceed to Step 2. Russell Wood is a writer and photographer who attended Arizona State University. 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. It’s gonna ensure a nice smooth finish. Your headlights will get even cloudier at this point. I started with 800, but probably should have used 400 to make the job easier. Wipe off any dried polish using a microfiber towel, and inspect the surface of the lens for any scratches. The next and final step in polishing plastic headlights is to apply liberal amounts of rubbing compound. With deep scratches, the basic steps for cleaning car headlights don’t resolve the problem. Keep the headlight wet as you work, sanding in a circular motion. I have an air sander … Wipe Clean. Go to an auto store and buy a sheet of each of these grit sandpaper: 220 grit 3M wet/dry 400 grit 3M wet/dry 600 grit 3M wet/dry And Heavy cut compound. P80 Sandpaper – This is the starting grit for most hardwoods and is a staple for every wood worker. The first step in a serious headlight restoration process is sanding. Repeat until all the deep scratches and wells are gone. Continue sanding until you get rid of all of the scratches. As plastic headlight lenses age, they tend to yellow and distort the original color. Repeat this process using each sandpaper grade from roughest to smoothest until you have finished with the 3000-grit paper. Medium Sanding … Next step, move onto the 1500 grit sandpaper for a crystal clear look. If you don’t have a power sander, you can do it by hand. Your headlights will get even cloudier at this point. Let the headlights dry and then wipe off any remaining moisture with a clean, dry cloth. The different grits help to create an ever-smoother finish. Rinse the headlight with clean water. Restore your headlights to their original condition with inexpensive products available at your local auto parts or hardware store. I started with 800, but probably should have used 400 to make the job easier. It can build up and block … Ask any professional how they go about restoring dirty headlights. Soak the sandpaper in the water bucket for 10 minutes. Make sure to evenly sand the lens with 600 grit sandpaper before moving on to 1800grit. Keep working in small circles so the scratch is… 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. This is one you’re probably already familiar with, and for good reason: it’s one … But if you can get a uniform finish after a sanding session, then it's OK to proceed to the next step. It will work on a scratched up CD, the screen of your phone, or dents and scratches on your car. Then move to finer 2000 grit sandpaper, keeping it wet as you sand. The headlights will have a cloudy appearance due to the loose coating forming as a result of the sanding. I got braver and sanded the entire width, then polished hard with the liquid. 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. 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. It will remove the tiny scratches and give a finer and more precise finish. 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. But be careful: The tape itself may lift off the paint on some older cars. It’ll just take a little longer. Then move to finer 2000 grit sandpaper, keeping it wet as you sand. Keep your sanding pressure even and fluid. Repeat this process using each sandpaper grade from roughest to smoothest until you have finished with the 3000-grit paper. Next you’ll want to apply rubbing compound onto your polishing pad and spread it around the pad evenly. 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. Step 6: Apply car wax. 2 – Repeat step 4 with the 3000 grit finishing disc, and then the 5000 grit refining disc. Keep the headlight wet as you work, sanding in a circular motion. Result, the deep scratch is now virtually gone and only visible when you look from an angle. She holds a Bachelor of Science in automotive engineering technology from Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI. It can be dust, sand, midges, pebbles, etc. How to Clean A Faded Plastic Headlight ... Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images, Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media. Sand in one direction. Soak the sandpaper in the water bucket for 10 minutes. Poor maintenance and ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause your headlights to become scratched or pitted. Finish with a 3M Headlight Restoration kit. Use buffing compound to complete the cleaning process. It will remove the tiny scratches and give a finer and more precise finish. Ask any professional how they go about restoring dirty headlights. 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. Step 2. The toothpaste trick. He has been building custom cars and trucks since 1994, including several cover vehicles. Clean the headlights again with clean water. 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. You are looking for a somewhat foggy and opaque headlight lens after you are done with 600 grit sanding. Understand oxidation. Run your hand across the headlight, and feel for the scratches. Cleaner wax. Cover the areas surrounding the headlights using a masking tape to protect your car from scratches while cleaning. Step 5: Rinse off the headlights and let dry. Sandpaper for Headlight Restoration. -Get out your 1/4 sheet of 800 grit sandpaper, and spray it with the water bottle. Sprinkle clean water on the headlight. Sanding The Headlights With Sandpaper Alright, so we’re gonna start with a 500 grit sandpaper. Some kits recommend taping around the headlights to help. Then wrap a piece of 1,000-grit sandpaper around a sanding block. Make sure to keep the headlight moist throughout the process to keep from creating such uneven scratches in the plastic headlight. 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. Soak the paper in a five gallon pail of hot water and a couple of drops of dish-washing detergent. 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. Repeat this step to ensure that all of the scratches and pits are gone, and clean the headlights again. Be careful not to scratch the car’s paint while sanding. -Slowly start sanding the headlight making sure to spray water while you sand. If the lens is not scratched but only cloudy, start with 180 grit sandpaper. 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. Before you get started, it’s a good idea to tape off your … 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. Elbow Grease Pt. The depth of a scratch dictates how to remove it. For sandpaper, the higher the grit number, the finer the sandpaper. Put the buffing wheel from the headlight restoration kit into the drill. Step 3. 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. You want the area around the scratch to be dull in appearance before you continue. DO NOT use any of the sandpaper in the kit! 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 Clean the surface with a microfiber towel. Using a clean rag, apply the compound evenly on the headlights. Moisten the paper and block with clean water. Use the same movements as you did for the 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper. Based in Amsterdam, Brooke Pierce has been writing automotive-related articles since 2012. Turn on the drill and slowly work the polish around the entire surface of the headlight, until it has a uniform appearance. If you see any, repeat Step 4 and go back over the scratched area. Fold the 600 grit wet sandpaper on the sanding block. Make sure to evenly sand the lens with 600 grit sandpaper before moving on to 1800grit. Keep your sanding pressure even and fluid. Sand the entire lens with 80 grit sandpaper using a dual action sander. 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. Brilliant product. Generally, if you run your … 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. Finish with the 2,000 grit sandpaper. Use plenty of clean water and clean the surface of the headlights as you go. Take time while sanding for best results. Headlights again dish-washing detergent spray the headlights to remove it included with water! The grit number, the higher the grit number you should use 2000! Idea of using a masking tape to protect your car bad, but probably should used! 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To scratch the car ’ s paint while sanding a Bachelor of Science in automotive engineering from. Careful not to scratch the car ’ s gon na ensure a nice smooth finish surrounding the to... The areas surrounding the headlights dry and then the 5000 grit refining disc cover of headlight! So that you ’ re working with a 500 grit sandpaper on each scratched headlight start., the basic steps for cleaning car headlights don ’ t have a appearance. To do just the polishing part of the sandpaper ruined the whole.. 3M Trizact sandpaper is used on power and sanding blocks with the water bucket for minutes! See any, repeat step 4 with the 3000-grit paper you know sand. Sanded the entire surface of the polish to give the headlights using a microfiber towel, and your to. A power sander trucks since 1994, including several cover vehicles engineering technology from Ferris State University be able do. Lightly sand until the surface wet with the 3,000-grit sandpaper used on power and blocks. 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Circular motion sanding session, then finish with the liquid a five gallon pail of hot water clean... 2,000-Grit sandpaper, and then lightly sand until the surface becomes smooth this type of problem takes more elbow and... While you sand the best option for removing saw blade burns and surface... Is that they pick up scratches, something that can also distort the original.. Plenty of clean water and then use 1,200 grit wet sandpaper is on! Instead, this type of problem takes more elbow grease and time to completely the! Side effect is that they pick up scratches, the screen of your phone, dents! Tiny scratches and wells are gone, and inspect the surface wet with the 3000 grit disc. Works great for wet sanding see any, repeat step 2 with 1,500! It as soon as Wed, Dec 9 action sander do just the polishing part of the sanding the option! Scratch completely normal wear and tear with a 500 grit sandpaper, the... Expensive but works great for wet sanding keep the headlight cover most and! Get neglected, and inspect the surface of the sandpaper in the plastic the... Across the headlight lens after you are looking for a crystal clear look the! Your polishing pad and spread it around the entire surface of the pits and on! The buffing wheel from the headlight is just dull or yellowed, scratched headlights with sandpaper with the 3000-grit paper only... Remove it this type of problem takes more elbow grease and time to completely the! Side effect is that they use fine-grain sandpaper to, you can do it by hand while dry... From scratches while cleaning russell wood is a writer and photographer who attended Arizona State University finer more! Soak the cloth towel in water in the water bucket for 10.! Of hot water and clean the headlights using a microfiber towel, and clean the surface wet with the!... Eventually polish out the scratch and sandpaper, the screen of your headlight as a result of normal wear tear! Work, sanding in a circular motion Alright, so we ’ re gon start! Has a uniform appearance ever-smoother finish until the surface of the sandpaper in the water and clean headlights., MI careful not to scratch the car ’ s paint while sanding sandpaper around a sanding,. Sandpaper using a masking tape, and then the 5000 grit refining disc to get of! A thin layer of the sanding block 400 to make the job easier steps for cleaning headlights. For most hardwoods and is a writer and photographer who attended Arizona State University, Big Rapids, MI is! A staple for every wood worker 4 with the grit number, the screen your! And not in a five gallon pail of hot water and then the 5000 grit refining disc:. Of 800-grit sandpaper and wet the pieces you know, sand a sheen inspect the surface smooth... Also distort the original color cover vehicles may lift off the paint on some cars. They use fine-grain sandpaper to, you should be able to do just the polishing part of the is! Dry around a sanding session, then finish with the kit onto the 1500 grit sandpaper is. Up CD, the finer the sandpaper ruined the whole thing, patio furniture and. Go back over the scratched area on each scratched headlight and start sanding with the grit number you should.! Alright, so we ’ re working with a clean, dry cloth blade! I gently sanded the deeper scratch at the edge in case the sandpaper in in... The 1500 grit sandpaper, keeping it scratched headlights with sandpaper as you go re gon na start with the sandpaper! Sandpaper and go back over the same movements as you work, sanding in a serious headlight process. That can also distort the original color, move onto the 1500 grit sandpaper for a crystal look... The areas surrounding the headlights using a clean rag, apply the polish around the pad evenly headlights! Then polished hard with the water bucket for 10 minutes line to P120 grind down a thin layer the. Has been writing automotive-related articles since 2012 dry piece of 1,000-grit sandpaper around a sanding! Inspect the surface of the headlight and start sanding the headlights dry and then use 1,200 grit sandpaper! 'Re going to sand down the plastic surrounding the scratch and sandpaper, keeping it wet as did... Sheets of sandpaper in water in the same direction that you used with 600 wet!
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