Polishing Headlights and Glass

[Paul_OH]

I've noticed that I have a lot of sand blasting on my headlights as most of my daily commute is on the highway which is also a popular truck route. I plan on getting headlight protectors to minimise any further impact however to get rid of any existing damage what is best to use? Is it safe to use ordinary car polish (by hand)? I currently use Autoglym Super Resin Polish for the bodywork as required. Also, is it safe to use the same on glass to remove water staining etc?

Thanks in advance

Paul

[rayray086]

Check out what I did with my cousin-in-law's Passat: http://rayray086.blogspot.com/2008/0...refurbish.html

Some adjustments since the last time I did it - try starting out with 600/800 grit sandpaper and wet sand. Do this up to 2000 grit. The more time you spend sanding and the higher the grit you finish up with, the clearer your results after polishing. Would be best to use an orbital for polishing too. Hand polishing just doesn't cut it.

[DMS_Dan]

Alternatively if you dont want to do that much work and they are perspex headlights use either Vuplex or Zaino Z14. Super resin polish isnt abrasive so wont do squat for your watermarks on your glass. Get autoglym glass polish or Zaino Z12

[Dub_Star_V6]

Did this on the weekend to get rid of the dullness, pitting and discolouration on the headlight lenses and was pleasantly surprised with the results.

No need for fancy stuff like instant detail or squirt bottles full of car wash for this, as I just got a bucket of soapy water as the base for sanding and went 800/1200/1500, spending about 15 minutes on each grade and rinsing as I went along. No need to spend hours sanding because if you do, you should really think about changing your lenses instead.

So long as you sand evenly and patiently, keep the lenses wet and check your progress as you go, you shouldn't have any issues. Although I noticed the longer you spend on the higher grades the better and more even the finish.

Once dried, I rubbed the lenses back with a mild cut cream (Kitten #2) with an open weave cloth until clean, buffed, followed by some regular cream polish, buffed again, and finished off with Megs PlastX. Thanks for the tip, Glenn! (ope126).

The lenses are now crystal clear

[rayray086]

Did this on the weekend to get rid of the dullness, pitting and discolouration on the headlight lenses and was pleasantly surprised with the results.

The lenses are now crystal clear

Got any before and afters??

[FJ Steve]

method

Might have to do this on our daughter's 2005 Astra...the lenses are starting to discolour (on the upper portions)

[Dub_Star_V6]

Got any before and afters??

Apologies Ray, as it was getting too dark and it was a one-man job I just wanted to get finished, so a bit difficult to be reaching for the camera every 15 mins with an armful of suds

Although I do have some afters so will try and post them for you soon.

Might have to do this on our daughter's 2005 Astra...the lenses are starting to discolour (on the upper portions)

Which is exactly how mine were, so I just took it easy and started wet sanding away and cut the lenses back until they were clear as a bell.

Not nearly as hard as I'd have thought, but you do need some time and patience and some decent creams and polishes to get good results

[No457 Snowy]

If it's any help to you, I've found that vinegar (mild acetic acid) will make short work of water stains.

Cheers,

Snowy

[rayray086]

Apologies Ray, as it was getting too dark and it was a one-man job I just wanted to get finished, so a bit difficult to be reaching for the camera every 15 mins with an armful of suds

Although I do have some afters so will try and post them for you soon.

Haha no worries mate, I was just curious

[Golf Houso]

The headlights on my mum's passat are quite yellowy as well, real shame too since the new rims are on!
I'll have to have a go at this over the long weekend if I have the chance.

[Dub_Star_V6]

Finally got some 'Before & Afters' boys...

Before: You can see the cloudy discolouration and pitting across the top of the plastic lens



After: not a bad effort considering it was just WD sandpaper and polish

[Dub_Star_V6]

OK, just to show you what a bit of patience and hard work can achieve, I did the headlight lenses on my Dad's Bora 2.0 today.

If I can get these results on a lens this badly weathered and discoloured, then anything's possible!

Dad's Bora. Shiny.



The Bora's headlights. Not so shiny.

Driver's side:



Passenger side:



I went for pretty much the same method, using 220 > 360 > 800 WD sandpaper, with the final pass using superfine 1500 WD emery paper.




Washed and dried, finished off with #2 cutting compound on an open weave cloth, followed by Plast-X then some light liquid polish.

Although they're not perfect, transformation would be an understatement.

[jayjay]

niiiiiiiiiiice!!! top work

[Golf Houso]

Fantastic job, I just got some Mother's plastic polish, I'll try it out on a B5 Passat over the holidays...

[DaveMack]

That's a pretty stunning achievement ... looks great.

Dave