Headlights - Cleaning

[eag182]

Ok, so here's one of my headlights. I'm trying to figure out how to clean them. I tried plastic polish, and wet sanding with 2000 grit (in a small area). The sanding didn't do more than haze up the formerly clear surface a bit. I've read I should have used 1500 before that, but I didn't have that on hand. And why did 2000 haze the surface? (polishing again did nothing). What should I do now?

is it on the outside? because ive seen it on the inside, like fogging because so much moisture gets trapped then it dries and corrodes just makes the lens blurry tho

[natedawg9640]

no it's pitting from being exposed to sand and gravel from the poeple's tires kicking it up in front of you... i've looked around trying to find polishes...

when people buff clearcoat it actually melts the clear coat and buffs it smooth but on plastic... it burns instead... i haven't found anything to buff the plastic clear again... i'd suggest trying a rubbing compound and a large cloth grinding wheel but be careful not to burn the plastic with too much friction

[Mr_White]

Try this
www.sdplastics.com/novus.html

there are 3 different stages

[natedawg9640]

nice find

[eag182]

I was actually looking for some sanding tips, bc I already have some polish that hasnt worked thus far.

[Mr_White]

http://www.sdplastics.com/acrylic.html

not sure if the headlights are made out of acrylic or not but this should work
with the NOVUS product







Sanding
If necessary, start with 120 grit sandpaper, used dry. Then switch to a 220 grit paper, dry. Finish with a 400 grit wet/dry paper, used wet. Grits as fine as 600 may be used. Always use a wooden or rubber sanding block.
When removing scratches be sure to sand an area larger than the scratch. Sand with a circular motion, and use a light touch and plenty of water with wet/dry papers.

Almost any commercial power sander can be used with acrylic. Use light pressure and slower speeds.


Polishing
Final polishing will give acrylic a high luster. Power-driven buffing tools are recommended without exception. Buffing wheels are available as attachments for electric drills.
A good buffing wheel for acrylic consists of layers of 3/16" carbonized felt, or layers of unbleached muslin laid together to form a wheel. Solidly stitched wheels should be avoided.

The wheel should reach a surface speed of at least 1200 feet per minute. Speeds of up to 4000 feet per minute are useful for acrylic.

Acrylic should be polished using a commercial buffing compound of the type used for silver or brass, or you can use a non- silicone car polish that has no cleaning solvents in it.

First, however, tallow should be applied to the wheel as a base for the buffing compound. Just touch the tallow stick to the spinning wheel, and then quickly apply the buffing compound.

To polish, move the piece back and forth across the buffing wheel. Be careful not to apply too much pressure. Keep the work constantly moving to prevent heat buildup.