plastic headlights makeover

[Shedendman]

My transit headlights are about as clear as mud,so i'm going to revamp them by rubbing them over with 400 grit then 1200 grit then a rub over with autoglem?(tips from others i've seen on the net)
If it turns out ok,can someone recommend a good laquer spray paint to coat them with afterwards,perhaps something polyurethane maybe?

 

[eSCHEn]

I've done mine on my cars (severe yellowing) and friends' motors (scratches from scotchbrite! and yellowing) and used a mop with this stuff: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331179593066

I paid about seven quid at a local place.

Did a great job and wasn't hard work either. In all cases it took an MOT fail to pass and very noticeably improved the illumination.


Edit: cheaper ebay link.

 

[grim_d]

U-pol do a 1k UV resistant clear coat that might be worth a shout?

 

[rikrobson]

I tried this on my audis lights and made the outside clear as day, unfortunately the insides had somehow fogged up and the scatter was offthe inside of the lens.

It was a stupid idea not to have toghend glass as the lens. PC and other plastics mat resist impacts, but they do scratch.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Have a read here http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=372681 or watch this with your tea-break

For coating after refurb, consider this stuff, pricey but I've read good reports

http://igreenlover-uk.com/product/ecocoat-headlight/

 

[richie00boy]

P400 then P1200 is too big a jump and you will have scratches. If you lacquer them they will last a lot longer, u-pol from Halfords is about the best.

 

[pedrobedro]

Yup, 1200 then lacquer and they last ages. You can go further through the grades then use cutting paste but it's best done with a buffer.

 

[Shedendman]

Thanks guys,had a little bash at them for an hour,see what ya think

Befores


So started with 400 spent about 20mins on each then same with the 1200
Friend of mine was passing and asked if i had any cutting compound for the final rub,no i said,so he suggested brasso(is he pulling my leg?)
Well no as this is how they turned out


Much much better than before,i haven't applied any lacquer yet,and yes your spot on richie00boy theres still small scratches,so what would be the plan use 800 then go over again with 1200?
Also,before i spray with lacquer is there anything i should wipe the surface first before hand?

Oh and before you all comment,the bumper will get done when the weathers better and i have time

 

[pedrobedro]

If you are going all the way and doing a proper job go from 1200 to 2500 grit with some liquid then something like Farecla G3 scratch remover and final polish but you need a UV protective coat on after or they will be as bad again in a few months. You can get kits with all the stuff in like the Quixx kit and they are not really expensive, cheaper than new headlamps. Run the hot air gun over the bumper to bring it back to black but don't hang about too long in one spot.

 

[richie00boy]

If you plan to lacquer them, stop at P1200 and clean them with panel wipe or IPA, as the brasso will have left an oily film. If you polish them and try to lacquer then it will just flake off after time.

 

[mr migwire]

I've just done the headlights on my Vauxhall ashtray for the same reason, I wet flattened with 1500 grit and then polished with 3m fast cut and a green mop on the buff. came up like new,

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Much much better than before.......

Did you open either of the links I posted to see what's achievable?

 

[Shedendman]

If you plan to lacquer them, stop at P1200 and clean them with panel wipe or IPA, as the brasso will have left an oily film. If you polish them and try to lacquer then it will just flake off after time.

Roger that

Did you open either of the links I posted to see what's achievable?

I did yes,looks great,but as this is a Mk5 tranny i dont want to be spending to much on sorting just lights,have a few other bits to do before MOT,so going the cheap as chips route

I did the hot air gun to the bumper 2 years back yer it bougt it up nice,but as you see 2yrs later yuk,so its getting a rattle can spray