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Old Mar 6th, 2005, 09:29 PM   #1 (permalink)
Nismo1997
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How to polish your headlights

Have you taken a close look at your headlights lately? They are probably faded and hazy like mine unless you have been lucky enough to keep your car in the garage. The sun really takes a toll on the plastic of the headlights and driving lights. Fortunately, you can fix the problem for about $30 and a few hours of wet sanding. The alternative is spend $100 per light for new ones. You can do this one of two ways: Either on the car or off.

Supplies Needed:600, 800, 1500, 2000 grit sand paper, 3M rubbing compound (fine cut), 3M finish restorer
- you can also use Meguire's clear plastic cleaner and clear plastic polish

If you are doing this on the car, get a water hose. You will be wet sanding the lenses. Also, BE CAREFUL not to scratch your paint - you will be using sandpaper here!

Start with the 800 or 600 grit (I used 600 because after starting with the 800 and finishing, it still needed help on some of the haze)
Keep water flowing on it and use small circular motions. Cover the entire area paying special attention to areas that are really ugly looking.
Be sure to cover the whole area.

Go up in grit using the 1500 and the 2000. You should have a very smooth, very hazy lens.

Don't worry about the haze, it comes off in just a second.
Take out your 3M rubbing compound (or the plastic cleaner). Apply some to a cotton rag and buff it into the lens. You should see an immediate improvement. I repeated this twice just to be sure. If you still notice some hazing you can start the process over with 600 grit, hammering on those badly scorched spots. I actually did one light twice.
Now apply the 3M finish restorer (or the plastic polish) Apply it in the same way, buff and remove.

You now, hopefully, have clean and renewed lights and driving lights
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