Headlights polishing problem
Headlights polishing problem
My headlights started to peel off, they are not yellow or fading out or anything like that, they just peel off, i bought something like this for my black&decker -> http://toolshouse.gr/wp-content/uploads ... -120mm.jpg
and i also bought this-> http://arexons.it/en/products/car-washi ... ht-renewal
but it did NOTHING at all,it's like i never applied it, i called a professional shop, they want 40€ and they told me it's risky it could destroy?!?! the headlights? what can i do?
pic of my headlights:
and i also bought this-> http://arexons.it/en/products/car-washi ... ht-renewal
but it did NOTHING at all,it's like i never applied it, i called a professional shop, they want 40€ and they told me it's risky it could destroy?!?! the headlights? what can i do?
pic of my headlights:
Re: Headlights polishing problem
Had the same problem.
Went to a body repairshop and the sand all the dents and scratches away and painted the glass. Perfect fore more than 1.5 year now.
Went to a body repairshop and the sand all the dents and scratches away and painted the glass. Perfect fore more than 1.5 year now.
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- Joined: Thu 29 May, 2014 08:49
- Posts: 349
- Location: Lancashire
Re: Headlights polishing problem
Hi Inferno. Have you tried using G3 compound BUT it must be put on by hand and with a damp cloth.
I have experienced a similar issue with the headlight units on my 2005 Volvo V70. It has made an improvement in the short time that I was applying it.
The surface has a feel of having been shot-blasted with sugar !!!!
I will be going over it again come the warmer days. As yet,my 2000 Z3 has not been affected - but there again,they could have been new headlight units just before I bought the car nearly a year ago.
I have experienced a similar issue with the headlight units on my 2005 Volvo V70. It has made an improvement in the short time that I was applying it.
The surface has a feel of having been shot-blasted with sugar !!!!
I will be going over it again come the warmer days. As yet,my 2000 Z3 has not been affected - but there again,they could have been new headlight units just before I bought the car nearly a year ago.
Happiness is a well kept Z3 and preferably running with the hood down - weather permitting.
Re: Headlights polishing problem
My problem is that we I Polish it it looks great but then starts to go cloudy. Is it similar? Need to work out what protection to use
Re: Headlights polishing problem
3M's Headlight restoration kit. Used predominantly for haze/cloud but the process should work just as well for your headlight condition. It turned my 18 yr old lights from ugly/nasty looking to brand new. Only £16 too.
The process uses wet and dry paper at different grades so it will level out and smooth over the peeled off ridges. Its brutal at the beginning but is whats required. Essentially 'cutting' your headlights.
The process uses wet and dry paper at different grades so it will level out and smooth over the peeled off ridges. Its brutal at the beginning but is whats required. Essentially 'cutting' your headlights.
- BladeRunner919
- Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
- Posts: 2225
Re: Headlights polishing problem
I agree that the 3M kit is great. Worked brilliantly for me.
Re: Headlights polishing problem
thanks guys i will try that too, i am thinking, now that i bought that black&decker polishing sponge, to polish the car as well.
i checked the availability of 3m kit in Greece, costs around 35€, but it contains A LOT of stuff, so i guess chances must be much higher of fixing it, seems more professional
i checked the availability of 3m kit in Greece, costs around 35€, but it contains A LOT of stuff, so i guess chances must be much higher of fixing it, seems more professional
- Southernboy
- Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
- Posts: 6437
- Location: Johannesburg
Re: Headlights polishing problem
Colgate toothpaste and elbow grease......... does a really neat job for a heap less than 3M.
- BladeRunner919
- Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
- Posts: 2225
Re: Headlights polishing problem
And anusol for keeping the exhaust clean!Southernboy wrote:Colgate toothpaste and elbow grease......... does a really neat job for a heap less than 3M.
- Southernboy
- Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
- Posts: 6437
- Location: Johannesburg
Re: Headlights polishing problem
....Preparation H...???
Re: Headlights polishing problem
What the heck is the elbow grease?
- Southernboy
- Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
- Posts: 6437
- Location: Johannesburg
Re: Headlights polishing problem
That's the effort of your arm from the elbow... it's an old saying which means doing the work by hand vs doing it with a power tool...
Re: Headlights polishing problem
LOL, sorry i didn't know that old sayingSouthernboy wrote:That's the effort of your arm from the elbow... it's an old saying which means doing the work by hand vs doing it with a power tool...
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- Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
- Posts: 1733
- Location: Manchester
Re: Headlights polishing problem
kids...!Inferno wrote:LOL, sorry i didn't know that old sayingSouthernboy wrote:That's the effort of your arm from the elbow... it's an old saying which means doing the work by hand vs doing it with a power tool...
- Southernboy
- Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
- Posts: 6437
- Location: Johannesburg
Re: Headlights polishing problem
It's all Greek to him...
Re: Headlights polishing problem
I see you have the projector headlights the same as me. What u need to do is sand the coating off with 1500 wet and dry paper then polish up once all the coating is removed I may be able to find some pics of mine.
Re: Headlights polishing problem
I already have 2 sand papers 600 and 800 i sanded one small area of the headlight and it looked like scratched so i afraid to continue and i stopped, now from your pics i understabd that it is normal and i should continue, what did you used to polish them?
p.s. i googled "elbow grease" to understand whar you meant in the first posts and i came up with this:
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/5/7/4/3/ ... jpg?nc=256
p.s. i googled "elbow grease" to understand whar you meant in the first posts and i came up with this:
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/5/7/4/3/ ... jpg?nc=256
- BladeRunner919
- Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
- Posts: 2225
Re: Headlights polishing problem
You need something a lot finer than 600 and 800. I'd say some 1500 and 2500 wet-and-dry would be best, followed by polishing.Inferno wrote:I already have 2 sand papers 600 and 800 i sanded one small area of the headlight and it looked like scratched so i afraid to continue and i stopped,
Re: Headlights polishing problem
As said I used 1500 wet and dry however, if you've started with a 6 or an 800 you will probably have to work up the grades to get the scratches out. I polished up with 3M fine cutting compound, G3 would do it too. Also plenty of elbow grease
- BladeRunner919
- Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
- Posts: 2225
Re: Headlights polishing problem
You just need to use some finer paper to flat them off. If you use 1500 wet-and-dry you should sand it until the whole light is an even opaque with all the deep scratches gone. Then use some finer paper (2000 or 2500) to get it even smoother, then polish.
Re: Headlights polishing problem
I read the last moment a DIY guide and combined with your help guys, realized that i was using wrong sandpaper, i needed waterproof sand paper, so i bought earlier 1000 and 2000 wet sandpaper, i watered them and started again sanding and polishing, the result is not perfect BUT at least i saved them at the last moment (before the closing of the shops i mean)
Last edited by Inferno on Fri 10 Apr, 2015 19:58, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Headlights polishing problem
Well the 3M kit is basically wet n dry and buffed with polish. You could put the kit together yourself for around half the price without the drill attachments and velcro discs - but then that would mean serious elbow grease/sweat - and maybe not as nice a finish. Looks like youve done a sterling job there though!
The 3m kit includes for anyone thats interested:
600, 800, 3000 wet and dry discs, velcro backing pad for drill, waffle polishing pad, compound polish, finishing polish, masking tape.
I've read that the 800 - 3000 is a little too far of a jump (although looked fine for me) so maybe 1500 as an additional grade too (like inferno used).
The 3m kit includes for anyone thats interested:
600, 800, 3000 wet and dry discs, velcro backing pad for drill, waffle polishing pad, compound polish, finishing polish, masking tape.
I've read that the 800 - 3000 is a little too far of a jump (although looked fine for me) so maybe 1500 as an additional grade too (like inferno used).