Headlights dull, oxidized, faded, pitted ect? Wanna fix it? Here you go (56K, nope)

[coupe]

I finaly got some free time and had nothing else to do so i decided to wetsand and buff out my stock headlights. Since i see alot of people having the common problems of most headlights ageing i figured i would take pics and try to do a tutorial on how to fix it instead of buying new expensive headlights.

Tools, this is what i am equiped with, you may or may not need all this, its better to be a boyscout/girlscout and be prepared than find your missing an important part of the process.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d104/Rand81/detailing/100_6735.jpg
Megs 3000 unigrit
Megs 2500 unigrit
3M 2000 grit
3M 1500 grit
3M 600 grit
2 different sized 3M rubber Squeegees
Megs wetsanding backing pad E-7200


What i started with:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d104/Rand81/detailing/100_6738.jpg

I tried my best to get good pics of their condition and no matter how hard i tried the pics did NOT show how bad these buggers really where.

Fill a bucket with water and carwash soap.
Soak you paper/s and backing pad for minimum of 15 minutes.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d104/Rand81/detailing/100_6740.jpg

You want good lubricity so water alone will not work, well it will but you will have trouble keeping a steady sanding pattern.

You need to start at a low grit and work your way up. I started at 1500 then 2000 then 2500 then 3000. What you need to start with depends on the condition of your headlights. Start with a high grit and if that dont work then step it up to the next lowest grit. If that happens you will have to step back down. ALWAYS try to do your last sanding step at the highest grit you have, prefferably 2500+ grit. You will understand why soon. Sand in ONE direction. Then on your next sanding step sand in the opposite.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d104/Rand81/detailing/100_6742.jpg

This is after 1500 then 2000 then 2500 then 3000.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d104/Rand81/detailing/100_6748.jpg

Now this is where most people get into trouble. Once you wet sand you have to compound/polish out the sanding marks.

I hit this with my Porter Cable 7424 and a 4" light cut pad with megs #83. You can also do this with megs plastX and mothers power ball or power ball mini or megs plastX by hand. The highest grit you stop wetsanding at will determine how aggresive you will have to be so the highest grit you can end with the better.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d104/Rand81/detailing/100_6796.jpg

[kuecker_dj09]

wow....nice how-to! thats gonna save me some $

[coupe]

I hope it does!

[coupe]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d104/Rand81/detailing/100_6738.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d104/Rand81/detailing/100_6796.jpg

[iceman]

Good steps, definitely the way to go.

"lubricity" ... that's not a word.. is it? lol .. gotta hit up a dictionary

[Rich]

lol so how long did it take you to do this and drink the whole case of beer?

[coupe]

Good steps, definitely the way to go.

"lubricity" ... that's not a word.. is it? lol .. gotta hit up a dictionary


Im not payed to spell!!!! Im payed to do math and correct paint!

[coupe]

lol so how long did it take you to do this and drink the whole case of beer?


In total 3 hours for both headlights and 3 12 packs


http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d104/Rand81/detailing/100b6794.jpg

[SikMindz]

Im not payed to spell!!!! Im payed to do math and correct paint!

Apparently you're not PAID to spell "paid" right either...

[coupe]

I guess not :applause:

[Bryan]

Do the little nubs get in the way? Er..I guess they could be called nubs.

[coupe]

I thought they would but they really didnt for me.

[GrandAmGT1996]

Im so fockin jealous of your talent.

[notsoaveragej0e]

I love that you rake in all this dough detailing other peoples cars and still rock the Busch Light lol

[Elderas]

im more impressed that you drank 36 beers in 3 hours.

then again

american beer ;crap

[coupe]

Nah i was drinkin all day so it was more like 36 beers in 8 hours lol

I actually got the beer for free from a buddy of mine. I took a scratch out of his fender and all he had for payment was 3 12 packs left over from his daughters graduation party.

[Nina]

Nah i was drinkin all day so it was more like 36 beers in 8 hours lol

I actually got the beer for free from a buddy of mine. I took a scratch out of his fender and all he had for payment was 3 12 packs left over from his daughters graduation party.

Nice way to get paid! But I sure as hell wouldn't let you touch my car with anything motorized after 36 beers!lol lol

[coupe]

Hahaha i dont drink while working on others vehicles.

[Nina]

Seems like you keep it professional.

[Metallman56]

anther A+ thread by Coupe.

[stillriza]

Damn! Your good! If I am ever down in your area I will definitly hit you up for a detail.

[coupe]

BTW, lubricity is a word, at least i got that one right lol

[B0000rt]

Wow that's amazing! I wish the headlights for our Caddy CTS was as easy to remove (you gotta take off the whiole bumper :()

[coupe]

You can do this while they are on the car. These are my stockers so they where already removed. It would have been easier actually if they where on the car. It was kinda difficult holding onto to them while i wetsanded and buffed.

[BlackAttackGA]

Headlight looks awesome afterwards! Very nice.

[GregFarz78]

wow looks great

[WeibSunder]

I'm just blown away...that's freaking amazing!

I'm going to have to do this. Will it take out the spider web cracks too?

[coupe]

I'm just blown away...that's freaking amazing!

I'm going to have to do this. Will it take out the spider web cracks too?


That would depend on if they are on the inside or outside of the headlight. Either way it wont remove them IMO unless they are very shallow.

[2003SCT]

So the pitting was significantly reduced? Thats my only issue on my headlights.


CHRIS

[coupe]

If they are real bad you could start at a very low grit and just have to work your way up.

[e-nizzle]

your detailing how-to's are amazing!! i have to do this myself so.. thanks!

[2003SCT]

Did you ever end up going as agressive as 600 grit? Or was 1500 the most agressive you went with?


CHRIS

[coupe]

1500 was the most aggresive i went with. I didnt feel like sanding forever and a day so i just started with 1500.

[Ajaxus]

Nice way to get paid! But I sure as hell wouldn't let you touch my car with anything motorized after 36 beers!lol lol

I'm late to the thread buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut I would...on July 7th, Ajax and Coupe take on the ultimate challenge..1 case of Coors Light (more if the metabolisms are up to par) and a grand am with paint that makes you go ;crap

(Note: I'm an interior guy, not an exterior guy..)

[Elderas]

the man polished 36 by himself whats 1 case between 2 of you :)

excuse the polishin pun lol

[coupe]

I'm late to the thread buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut I would...on July 7th, Ajax and Coupe take on the ultimate challenge..1 case of Coors Light (more if the metabolisms are up to par) and a grand am with paint that makes you go ;crap

(Note: I'm an interior guy, not an exterior guy..)

Its gonna be fun and a looooong day lol


the man polished 36 by himself whats 1 case between 2 of you :)

excuse the polishin pun lol


Yeah but it took 8+ hours to drink all that lol

[Woody87]

about how long did this take? I'm wondering if I can do it tomorrow while I'm putting my new bumper on :D

[coupe]

about how long did this take? I'm wondering if I can do it tomorrow while I'm putting my new bumper on :D

*

In total 3 hours for both headlights

[DrFabulous]

I swear to god Rand I'm going to ship my car to you just to play with for a day. lol

[coupe]

I swear to god Rand I'm going to ship my car to you just to play with for a day. lol

I would seriously do it too lol
If ya give me 2 days i can really get into it :)

[DrFabulous]

I would seriously do it too lol
If ya give me 2 days i can really get into it :)

lol I need a new hood before I'd let you have at it... its beyond even your help ;crap

[grandam2006]

do you have to take off the headlight lens from the headlight?

[coupe]

do you have to take off the headlight lens from the headlight?

You can do this while they are on the car. These are my stockers so they where already removed. It would have been easier actually if they where on the car. It was kinda difficult holding onto to them while i wetsanded and buffed.


......

[cavingman]

very nice.
some weekend im gonna spend sat and sun just repeating your how-tos :D

[AznGA]

So for who else has this method worked? I bought a headlight restoration kit from a part store and it ended up making my headlights look worse.

[02 PONTIAC]

I don't want to be off topic but is it good that i wax the headlights on my car or could I be doing more damage to them? If I am damaging them is the any OTC product i can use to keep them looking new?

[boost21]

i failed on attempting to restore my headlights lol, just going to buy another set tomorrow......just for lenses :(
(bixenon retrofit in final stages :) )

[coupe]

So for who else has this method worked? I bought a headlight restoration kit from a part store and it ended up making my headlights look worse.

What did you buy? You most likely did something wrong.

This method that i posted works for everyone if you do it correctly. What gets most people in trouble is not completely polishing out the sanding haze.

i failed on attempting to restore my headlights lol, just going to buy another set tomorrow......just for lenses :(
(bixenon retrofit in final stages :) )


What went wrong? What did you do?

[boost21]

I bought the kit...Soaked the paper in soapy water, started at the highest grit sand paper and went down until I found what I needed. Sanded my way back up to the highest grit (switching directions) then used mothers power ball mini to polish. They aren't bad, but the housings are painted black so any imperfections in the housing kills the look.

[coupe]

I bought the kit...Soaked the paper in soapy water, started at the highest grit sand paper and went down until I found what I needed. Sanded my way back up to the highest grit (switching directions) then used mothers power ball mini to polish. They aren't bad, but the housings are painted black so any imperfections in the housing kills the look.


They wont be 100% perfect. As long as you got out all the sanding scratches then thats really all you can do.

You could try again. It may take alot of sanding to fix them 100%, if its even possible.

[coupe]

I don't want to be off topic but is it good that i wax the headlights on my car or could I be doing more damage to them? If I am damaging them is the any OTC product i can use to keep them looking new?


You should always wax your headlights.

[stillriza]

^ for sure. I wax my tails.

[boost21]

They wont be 100% perfect. As long as you got out all the sanding scratches then thats really all you can do.

You could try again. It may take alot of sanding to fix them 100%, if its even possible.

meh maby one day...i already got new housings lol....the lenses are a whore to take off compared to the gm ones :(

[jnugg69]

I don't have the oxidation problem with my headlights, but my passenger headlight is somehow letting condensation in on the inside corner and it gets wet and then foggy looking. Makes it look crappy. I wonder if there's a quick fix until I can get some blacked out new headlights or halo headlights down the road here.

[02 PONTIAC]

My car had a condensation problem too. It turned that i broke the tabs on the black wing nut (I don't know what you call it) when i put my HID lights in. So now the bulb doesn't stay still and shifts letting air into it.

[jnugg69]

Thats understandable. All of my lights and everything seem stable, cause I just changed my bulbs. It was like that when I bought it used a few months ago. Hopefully I can figure out a way to seal it at least for temp.

[WeibSunder]

My buddies GA had REALLY bad oxidized headlights. So we took 800-2500 sand paper and wet sanded his headlights until they looked like total ****. Then we cleaned them up with mineral spirits, and then took some triple layer clear coat and sprayed them. They look awesome, wish I had some pics to show you guys, but he's gone to college. It might not have been the best idea, but it worked beautifully.

[coupe]

My buddies GA had REALLY bad oxidized headlights. So we took 800-2500 sand paper and wet sanded his headlights until they looked like total ****. Then we cleaned them up with mineral spirits, and then took some triple layer clear coat and sprayed them. They look awesome, wish I had some pics to show you guys, but he's gone to college. It might not have been the best idea, but it worked beautifully.


I would like to see that too becuase that wont work lol

[Rich]

ouch

[WeibSunder]

I would like to see that too becuase that wont work lol

I'm going to see if I can get up with him sometime soon to see if he can borrow someone's camera to take some pics. There are a couple deep scratches where he tried to start without me and used a low grit sand paper, but the scratches are only over the orange reflector, so you can't see them too bad. I can't promise anything, but I can try.

[coupe]

Im trying to find a way to explain this with words.

If you wetsand your leaving wetsanding marks.
If you look at my pics you will see what im talking about.
Spraying CC on top of the wetsanding marks/haze its not going to fix it. All your doing is locking in the wetsanding marks/haze.

Wetsanding marks/haze have to be buffed out, its the only way to get rid of it.

[WeibSunder]

When I cleared my HVAC knobs I sanded and wet sanded them many times over, and my buddy saw this and asked if it would work on his headlights, we tried, and it came out very well. Still trying to get up with him BTW since it's the weekend it's hard to find him, he bar hops a lot.

[axxman]

Good steps, definitely the way to go.

"lubricity" ... that's not a word.. is it? lol .. gotta hit up a dictionary

lu·bric·i·ty
1. oily smoothness, as of a surface; slipperiness.
2. ability to lubricate; capacity for lubrication: the wonderful lubricity of this new oil.
3. instability; shiftiness; fleeting nature: the lubricity of fame and fortune.
4. lewdness; lustfulness: lasciviousness; salaciousness.
5. something that arouses lasciviousness, esp. pornography.

[iceman]

Thanks, I did in fact hit up the dictionary that day :)

[coupe]

I need to hit up the dictionary period, i need to start runing my posts through spell check at the very least lol

[Ajaxus]

I need to hit up the dictionary period, i need to start running my posts through spell check at the very least lol


yes, you do. lol

[coupe]

Thats not right?
Spell check didnt pick it up lol

[Ajaxus]

well then the spell check sucks ass, because dictionary.com also claims that runing is not a word (i checked to be sure)

[Metallman56]

well using this thread as a guide i was also able to restore a pair of headlights. i only took pics of 1 though, as it was the worst by far. i started with 1,000 grit sand paper, and went to town. the only differnce between my process and Coupes, was i bought a Permitex Headlight Restoration Kit.

BEFORE
http://www.dabearz.com/forums/imagehosting/198146fe60b0a27a3.jpg

AFTER
http://www.dabearz.com/forums/imagehosting/198146fe60b0b7f6a.jpg

there not perfect, but they look so much better its unreal. a little haze is still left, i'd say about 10% but overall totally worth it. its a simple process, it just takes some time.

[Bryan]

Very nice job man. You just gonna sell 'em?

[coupe]

Very nice man, i always recomend the permatex kit, its hard to beat.

[Metallman56]

Very nice job man. You just gonna sell 'em?

nope, i actually just bought them. my old headlights just dont line up right, so i bought these new ones to fixt that problem.

[Freebie]

Just what I was looking for... hopped on this forum looking to buy some used headlights for my g/fs GT and ran across this, gonna give it a shot tonight! Have a third brake light on my Avalanche that could use a little TLC too :thumbs:

[Freebie]

Thanks again for great instructions, the headlight came out good, brake light came out better! When I was out picking up the sandpaper the guy at the auto parts store told me I was nuts, that there was no way sanding the headlights wouldn't absolutely destroy them... here is one before and one after, it was a bit too sunny to get a good front on shot today...