Headlight Cleaning

[Pannalstaroz]

So I tried to clean my headlights using 1200 grit sandpaper and so far I've made it worse. I've made the whole headlight cloudy instead of just the top. Also there is now a mark around the headlight on the paint - I didn't touch it with the sandpaper, so what could it be? I've attached some photos to hopefully make it easier to know what I'm talking about


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[Skier1]

I cleaned mine up with toothpaste ,yes thats what I said Toothpaste and the lights smell nice as well !!!!!!!!!!!

[giodog2000]

Originally Posted by Skier1

I cleaned mine up with toothpaste ,yes thats what I said Toothpaste and the lights smell nice as well !!!!!!!!!!!

The Ultra Whitening ?

[bcredliner]

I just did my headlights. Suggest you purchase a kit. 3M has a kits to use with a power drill or by hand. The instructions are complete.

The first phase of restoring headlights does make they hazy as in your picture. Looks like you are sanding in one direction, should be sanding in a circular pattern. I suggest masking off around the headlight so you don't damage the paint.

The mark on the paint could be paint transfer from another vehicle if it is not from the sandpaper. Looks like you can easily buff it out with some polishing compound.

[Pannalstaroz]

Thanks guys. I'll keep going. I shouldn't be so hasty - that's only after 5 mins work. Appreciate the help - and jokes


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[Brandon002]

Woah...

First... Use masking tape to tape off the painted parts around the headlight.

Second... Wetsand... don't dry sand.

Third... use a polish like Maguire's Plast-X or headlight haze remover.

I'd really invest in the 3M kit, could be had for about 14 bucks at Harbor Freight.

[Pannalstaroz]

Yeah I'll go and get one. It was wet sanded but a white liquid was the result of the sanding and I think that's what's on the paint. It should come off - I'll work it out.


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[tmv]

Mask around the headlights. Start with 500-600 grit, then 1000 grit and wet-sand with 1500 grit. After that use a polish compound.
Or just get a kit (3M, Meguire, Silvania...)

[Pannalstaroz]

Thanks. Just went out to look at it again and it's as milky/cloudy as you could imagine. Haha. Now I have to fix it.


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[Ricky Bobby]

I would also use this after doing the wetsanding routine, and I would start with 500, 800, 1000, 1500, and end with 2000. Then a good compounding (Menzerna), polishing with Plast-X or similar product, and then give an IPA wipe down to be sure you polished out all scratches.

Use this to seal, great new product that leaves your headlights basically factory sealed so they don't yellow again:

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Optim...ing_p_911.html