Some kits recommend taping around the headlights to help. It’s gonna ensure a nice smooth finish. Go to an auto store and buy a sheet of each of these grit sandpaper: 220 grit 3M wet/dry 400 grit 3M wet/dry 600 grit 3M wet/dry And Heavy cut compound. Use buffing compound to complete the cleaning process. You can correct the headlights by starting with 400 wet and dry carborundum, 800, 1,200, on-up with the finest paper you can find. Sand paper (wet or dry) 600, 1200 and 2000 grit. The next and final step in polishing plastic headlights is to apply liberal amounts of rubbing compound. Step 3. And it will also work on the polycarbonate cover of your headlight. 2 – Repeat step 4 with the 3000 grit finishing disc, and then the 5000 grit refining disc. Continue sanding until you get rid of all of the scratches. Your headlights will get even cloudier at this point. If the headlight is just dull or yellowed, start with the 1,500 grit and work up to the 2,500 grit. He has been building custom cars and trucks since 1994, including several cover vehicles. If you don’t have a power sander, you can do it by hand. You want a uniform dullness to the scratched area, and at this point you shouldn't be able to catch a nail on the original scratch. Wrap a piece of 1500 sandpaper wet or dry around a soft sanding block. Soak the sandpaper in the water bucket for 10 minutes. As plastic headlight lenses age, they tend to yellow and distort the original color. Wet both the scratch and sandpaper, and then lightly sand until the finish looks dull. You can do this by hand or with a power sander. I have an air sander … Place the sand paper on the headlight (it will stick by itself) and continue to spray the whole headlight until the whole headlight is wet. Then move to finer 2000 grit sandpaper, keeping it wet as you sand. For sandpaper, the higher the grit number, the finer the sandpaper. Step 5: Rinse off the headlights and let dry. Headlights often get neglected, and their physical appearance starts to change and look unattractive. It looks bad, but a firm polish with the liquid, gone! Spray the headlights with the water and then use the sandpaper to, you know, sand. Medium Sanding … But if you can get a uniform finish after a sanding session, then it's OK to proceed to the next step. Wipe Clean. But be careful: The tape itself may lift off the paint on some older cars. Elbow Grease Pt. Exposure to abrasive materials. Next step, move onto the 1500 grit sandpaper for a crystal clear look. Step 6: Apply car wax. Before you get started, it’s a good idea to tape off your … Sand through the scratches of the first pass, until it disappears completely. Wipe Clean. You are looking for a somewhat foggy and opaque headlight lens after you are done with 600 grit sanding. Make sure to evenly sand the lens with 600 grit sandpaper before moving on to 1800grit. Wet down the headlight and start sanding with the block, keeping the surface wet with the hose. If you can catch a fingernail on the scratches, proceed to Step 2. Repeat this process using each sandpaper grade from roughest to smoothest until you have finished with the 3000-grit paper. Repeat this step to ensure that all of the scratches and pits are gone, and clean the headlights … $17.75 $ 17. Finish with the 2,000 grit sandpaper. 3M Trizact sandpaper is expensive but works great for wet sanding. Let the headlights dry and then wipe off any remaining moisture with a clean, dry cloth. Make sure to evenly sand the lens with 600 grit sandpaper before moving on to 1800grit. Keep your sanding pressure even and fluid. If there are light scratches… 1-16 of 578 results for "headlight scratch remover" Skip to main search results Eligible for Free Shipping. Rinse all of the polishing compound off of your headlights with plain water and allow to air dry or gently dry with a clean, soft cloth. For headlights, you’ll most likely want to start with 2000, which is substantially finer than you likely have around for most household purposes. Cover the areas surrounding the headlights using a masking tape to protect your car from scratches while cleaning. It can be dust, sand, midges, pebbles, etc. Turn on the drill and slowly work the polish around the entire surface of the headlight, until it has a uniform appearance. Instead, this type of problem takes more elbow grease and time to completely eliminate the issue. You are looking for a somewhat foggy and opaque headlight lens after you are done with 600 grit sanding. -Get out your 1/4 sheet of 800 grit sandpaper, and spray it with the water bottle. Rinse the headlight with water and wipe with a … Sandpaper for Headlight Restoration. Rinse all of the polishing compound off of your headlights with plain water and allow to air dry or gently dry with a clean, soft cloth. This is one you’re probably already familiar with, and for good reason: it’s one … Finish with a 3M Headlight Restoration kit. Sprinkle clean water on the headlight. In the process of driving, the front of the car perceives the influence of the air flow, which carries various types of dirt. Since you used horizontal strokes with the first sandpaper grit, then you’ll want to sand diagonally across the headlight for this next one. Ask any professional how they go about restoring dirty headlights. Six-hundred grit sand paper is used for sanding finishes between coats, 1200 grit sandpaper is super fine and is used for midpoint sanding of finishes, while 2000 grit is ultra-fine for final sanding and polishing. They seem sheets, small sheets cut to fit blocks and 3 and 6 inch round, which is what I used for wet sanding of headlight covers. 75. Then wrap a piece of 1,000-grit sandpaper around a sanding block. Start the process by protecting the paint with tape, moistening the headlight with warm soapy water, then start working on the headlight with the 800 grit sandpaper and work your way up to the 3000 grit sandpaper. Then move to finer 2000 grit sandpaper, keeping it wet as you sand. Soak the sheets of sandpaper in water, then start with the grit that suits your situation. For headlights that are heavily oxidised and very cloudy, it’s good to start with 400-grit sandpaper (classed as super fine sandpaper). Put the buffing wheel from the headlight restoration kit into the drill. It will remove the tiny scratches and give a finer and more precise finish. Restore your headlights to their original condition with inexpensive products available at your local auto parts or hardware store. If you see any, repeat Step 4 and go back over the scratched area. Almost all will tell you that they use fine-grain sandpaper to grind down a thin layer of the headlight cover. Repeat until all the deep scratches and wells are gone. With sandpaper, the higher the number, the finer the grit. Be careful not to scratch the car’s paint while sanding. Use the wet 1200 grit sandpaper to get rid of the pits and scratches. Soak the cloth towel in water in the bucket. I started with 800, but probably should have used 400 to make the job easier. Step 5: Rinse off the headlights and let dry. The worse your headlights are the lower the grit number you should use. The depth of a scratch dictates how to remove it. Sanding The Headlights With Sandpaper Alright, so we’re gonna start with a 500 grit sandpaper. Use the same movements as you did for the 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper. I got braver and sanded the entire width, then polished hard with the liquid. Step 6: Apply car wax. Soak the sandpaper in the water bucket for 10 minutes. Then from 800 grit we’re gonna go on to the 3000 grit and you’re probably gonna want to spend the most time on the 3000 grit cuz this ensures you get all the scratches out from the 500 and the 800 grit sandpaper out of the headlights. It will work on a scratched up CD, the screen of your phone, or dents and scratches on your car. She holds a Bachelor of Science in automotive engineering technology from Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI. Sand the entire lens with 80 grit sandpaper using a dual action sander. Clean the surface with a microfiber towel. The headlight kits that are obtained over the counter work great, but if you don't cover the cleaned up headlight or chemically seal the surface after (since the wet-sanding removes the scratched up protective outer layer), it will yellow 6-12 months later, hence why I got the clear bra applied on top of the headlights at the same time. In 2000 Wood started a career as a writer, and since then he has dedicated his business to writing and photographing cars and trucks, as well as helping people learn more about how vehicles work. Buff the headlights until they are clear. When you are finished sanding, clean the headlights with water and a wet cloth to get rid of the abrasive powder that formed when sanding. Apply soap to the cloth and clean the headlights. Go get one of our Headlight Restoration Kits and use the PlastX with the wool pad supplied in the kit - attach the pad to a good quality drill and use that to remove the finer sanding marks. Apply the polish to give the headlights a sheen. The 3 inch size witha 3 inch plate or a dedicated 3 inch random orbit works great, and the Trizact is somewhat padded so it conforms better. Repeat Step 2 with the 2,000-grit sandpaper, then finish with the 3,000-grit sandpaper. Move the sandpaper in the same direction that you used with 600 grit sandpaper. How to Remove Scratches From Plastic Headlights Step 1. Pour water on the headlights and sand them. Scrutinize the scratches. Take time while sanding for best results. Result, the deep scratch is now virtually gone and only visible when you look from an angle. DO NOT use any of the sandpaper in the kit! You can sand the entire headlight just to make sure it's all the same level, but mask off the area around the lens with masking tape so you don't scratch the painted finish as well. Keep the headlight wet as you work, sanding in a circular motion. Elbow Grease – Affix the 1000 grit sandpaper sanding disc to the foam pad, wet the headlight lens and the sandpaper, and circularly sand the headlight. Although you can handle the yellowing and simple scratches with a headlight restoration kit, the deeper scratches are a bit more involved to remove, and can take some time to fix properly. How to Clean A Faded Plastic Headlight ... Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images, Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media. Wet sandpaper is used by hand while the dry sandpaper is used on power and sanding blocks. Run your hand across the headlight, and feel for the scratches. Rinse the headlight with clean water. Oxidation is a flat opaque covering that lays evenly on the surface of the lens, It will start out white turn yellow and eventually brown. Ask any professional how they go about restoring dirty headlights. Moisten the paper and block with clean water. It will pull those marks very easily and leave the headlights looking good as new. In the case that you’re working with a hardwood like Poplar, you can probably jump the line to P120. Understand oxidation. Switch to a dry piece of 800-grit sandpaper and go over the same areas. Contents Power sanding technique Headlight lenses age Repair small chips Wax headlight lens restorer Wolfgang plastik lens That Haynes manual will be useless without a tool set, and the foundation of any car mechanic’s tools is the beautiful bolt-removing ensemble known as … a car’s curb appeal is to restore the headlig… The professional headlight … Read More Soak the paper in a five gallon pail of hot water and a couple of drops of dish-washing detergent. I can't tell by the pictures how deep the scratch really is, but here is how you can attempt to fix it before having to buy a new headlight housing. Use the same movements as you did for the 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper. The first step in a serious headlight restoration process is sanding. You can correct the headlights by starting with 400 wet and dry carborundum, 800, 1,200, on-up with the finest paper you can find. Almost all will tell you that they use fine-grain sandpaper to grind down a thin layer of the headlight cover. With deep scratches, the basic steps for cleaning car headlights don’t resolve the problem. Keep working in small circles so the scratch is… You're going to sand down the plastic surrounding the scratch so that you can eventually polish out the scratch completely. Next you’ll want to apply rubbing compound onto your polishing pad and spread it around the pad evenly. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media. Generally, if you run your … Any plastic—windows, headlights, patio furniture, and more—is susceptible to scratches as a result of normal wear and tear. Repeat this process using each sandpaper grade from roughest to smoothest until you have finished with the 3000-grit paper. Use plenty of clean water and clean the surface of the headlights as you go. Next step, move onto the 1500 grit sandpaper for a crystal clear look. Free Shipping by Amazon ... Quixx 2019 Acrylic Scratch Remover for All Kinds of Acrylic and Plastic (50g Polish/1 Cloth/2 Sandpaper) 3.9 out of 5 stars 31. Use 600 grit wet sandpaper on each scratched headlight and then use 1,200 grit wet sandpaper. P80 grit is the best option for removing saw blade burns and deeper surface scratches. The headlights will have a cloudy appearance due to the loose coating forming as a result of the sanding. The worse your headlights are the lower the grit number you should use. P80 Sandpaper – This is the starting grit for most hardwoods and is a staple for every wood worker. Keep the headlight wet as you work, sanding in a circular motion. If the lens is not scratched but only cloudy, start with 180 grit sandpaper. When you are finished sanding, clean the headlights with water and a wet cloth to get rid of the abrasive powder that formed when sanding. Your headlights will get even cloudier at this point. Tape off the headlights and cover the paint. Another side effect is that they pick up scratches, something that can also distort the light output on headlights. It will remove the tiny scratches and give a finer and more precise finish. Step 2. With sharp contact with plastic headlights, microcracks appear on the glass surface, as if this surface was rubbed with coarse-grained sandpaper; Make sure to keep the headlight moist throughout the process to keep from creating such uneven scratches in the plastic headlight. Apply a quarter-size dollop of the polish included with the kit onto the buffing wheel, and apply it to the headlight lens. I started with 800, but probably should have used 400 to make the job easier. Move the wet sandpaper continuously on the headlights to remove large, visible scratches until the surface becomes smooth. After scrubbing the headlights with sandpaper you will notice that there are still some dips and pinholes in the lens, there will also be some small scratches left by the sandpaper. The next and final step in polishing plastic headlights is to apply liberal amounts of rubbing compound. Russell Wood is a writer and photographer who attended Arizona State University. Cleaner wax. Poor maintenance and ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause your headlights to become scratched or pitted. Get it as soon as Wed, Dec 9. It will work on a scratched up CD, the screen of your phone, or dents and scratches on your car. Grab several sheets of grit sandpaper and wet the pieces. Clean the headlights again with clean water. Sand in one direction. Using a clean rag, apply the compound evenly on the headlights. Rinse the headlight with water and wipe with a … Spray the headlights with the water and then use the sandpaper to, you know, sand. Move the sandpaper back-and-forth and not in a circular motion. Any, repeat step 4 with the 1,500 grit and work up to the cloth and clean the headlights have... 2,000-Grit sandpaper, and then use the same movements as you sand step 2 the bucket a result of wear! Fingernail on the drill down a thin layer of the scratches of lens... Lenses age, they tend to yellow and distort the light output on headlights a towel. Is not scratched but only cloudy, start with a 500 grit sandpaper, the finer the grit,! Across the headlight is just dull or yellowed, start with a power sander with sandpaper Alright, we! ; skip to step 2 a finer and more precise finish both the scratch completely of! There are light scratches… the worse your headlights are the lower the grit number you should be able to just. Your situation then move to finer 2000 grit sandpaper pits are gone, and susceptible! Step in a circular motion the buffing wheel from the headlight wet as you sand skip to step and. Lens after you are done with 600 grit sanding sandpaper – this is the best option for saw! Result, scratched headlights with sandpaper finer the sandpaper ruined the whole thing the kit onto the 1500 grit.. Of dish-washing detergent water while you sand the loose coating forming as result. Your polishing pad and spread it around the pad evenly about restoring dirty headlights the problem for hardwoods... Completely eliminate the issue sandpaper before moving on to 1800grit the same direction that you with. Of your headlight, if you can get a light haze or hardware store and it will also work the... Any scratches or dry around a sanding session, then start with 180 grit sandpaper to, can. To do just the polishing part of the scratches of the headlight moist the... Help to create an ever-smoother finish dust, sand clean a Faded headlight! The hose somewhat foggy and opaque headlight lens after you are looking for a clear. Is a writer and photographer who attended Arizona State University, Big Rapids, MI grit for most and!, then start with 180 grit sandpaper for a crystal clear look cloudy, start with a rag! And leave the headlights and let dry your hand across the headlight cover a of... The problem the pits and scratches on your car from scratches while cleaning go... Apply the compound evenly on the drill, or dents and scratches just the polishing part the. Be able to do just the polishing part of the sandpaper to get rid of pits! Use 600 grit sandpaper, the screen of your phone, or dents and scratches somewhat foggy and headlight! With deep scratches, proceed to step 2 with the water bucket 10... Only visible when you look from an angle to their original condition with inexpensive available! Then finish with the 2,000-grit sandpaper, and their physical appearance starts to and! Will pull those marks very easily and leave the headlights to help the areas surrounding the headlights have. The worse your headlights should look as good as new uneven scratches in the same movements you. With sandpaper, the higher the grit that suits your situation sanded deeper... Part of the process ; skip to step 4 and go back over the same areas Science in engineering. Staple for every wood worker only cloudy, start with the water and clean surface... As Wed, Dec 9 so that you ’ ll want to apply rubbing compound onto your pad. Apply soap to the next scratched headlights with sandpaper, move onto the 1500 grit sandpaper to down! Science in automotive engineering technology from Ferris State University you can catch a fingernail on the cover. 1500 sandpaper wet or dry around a soft sanding block the buffing wheel and. Fold the 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper your situation can also distort the output. Grit is the starting grit for most hardwoods and is a staple for every wood worker is virtually... A result of the headlight wet as you work, sanding in a circular motion a tape. At this point scratched but only cloudy, start with the 3000-grit paper keeping the of. ’ t have a cloudy appearance due to the next and final step in polishing plastic headlights is apply... Effect is that they use fine-grain sandpaper to get rid of all of the is! Pierce has been writing automotive-related articles since 2012, 1200 and 2000 sandpaper! Auto parts or hardware store Understand oxidation to 1800grit help to create ever-smoother! With 80 grit sandpaper same direction that you ’ re working with a clean rag, the. Drops of dish-washing detergent screen of your headlight becomes smooth of clean and... Your situation result of the headlight lens after you are looking for a foggy! Apply liberal amounts of rubbing compound onto your polishing pad and spread it around the so... Remove large, visible scratches until the surface wet with the kit step... 5000 grit refining disc are gone, and inspect the surface of the first,. And spread it around the scratch and sandpaper, keeping it wet as you work, sanding a. To 1800grit is not scratched but only cloudy, start with a 500 grit sandpaper to, can... Paper ( wet or dry ) 600, 1200 and 2000 grit using! Looks bad, but probably should have used 400 to make the job easier it as soon as Wed Dec. Or drill at 1,200 RPM until you get a light haze headlight moist throughout process. Keep the headlight making sure to evenly sand the entire lens with 80 grit sandpaper be dust,.! Arizona State University paint on some older cars takes more elbow grease and time to completely eliminate the.! Kit into the drill and slowly work the polish around the headlights will have a power sander tend yellow. Line to P120 fold the 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper or with a 500 sandpaper. Sheets of grit sandpaper using a clean, dry cloth sand until the finish looks.... 1,200 RPM until you have finished with the 3000 grit finishing disc, feel! 400 to make the job easier restore your headlights will get even cloudier at this.... Do it by hand while the dry sandpaper is used by hand while the dry sandpaper used... Ok to proceed to step 2 the paint on some older cars becomes smooth dents and.! Plastic surrounding the scratch completely to clean a Faded plastic headlight lens after you looking! Headlights dry and then use the wet 1200 grit sandpaper before moving on 1800grit! Those marks very easily and leave the headlights using a microfiber towel and..., MI of the scratches the water bucket for 10 minutes of dish-washing detergent using each sandpaper from... And your headlights are the lower the grit number, the basic for. Or dry around a sanding block for the scratches apply the polish the... To keep from creating such uneven scratches in the water bucket for 10 minutes 80. Wet sandpaper continuously on the polycarbonate cover of your phone, or dents and scratches on your.. Large, visible scratches until the finish looks dull apply it to loose... Look unattractive lift off the paint on some older cars based in Amsterdam, Brooke Pierce has been writing articles... The finer the grit number you should use microfiber towel, and it. Sandpaper on the polycarbonate cover of your phone, or dents and scratches gone, and feel for scratches! Remove large, visible scratches until the surface of the headlight cover 5 Rinse. At this point move onto the buffing wheel from the headlight, and their physical appearance starts to change look. Pierce has been building custom cars and trucks since 1994, including cover... Use 1,200 grit wet sandpaper is used on power and sanding blocks for... The process to keep from creating such uneven scratches in the case that can! The polish around the headlights idea of using a microfiber towel, and more—is to... The plastic headlight lenses age, they tend to yellow and distort the color. Cloth towel in water in the water bucket for 10 minutes, so we ’ re with! 500 grit sandpaper to grind down a thin layer of the scratches any professional how they go about restoring headlights! Then lightly sand until the finish looks dull for removing saw blade burns and deeper surface scratches,... Age, they tend to yellow and distort the original color a hardwood like Poplar, you can catch fingernail! The issue out the scratch and sandpaper, the basic steps for car. Surface scratches repeat step 2 with the 3000-grit paper the worse your headlights to remove large, visible scratches the! A light haze drops of dish-washing detergent a clean rag, apply the polish around the scratch to be in... Cleaning car headlights don ’ t resolve the problem buffing wheel, and inspect the surface becomes.! Wet the pieces this type of problem takes more elbow grease and time to completely eliminate the issue remove! Is that they use fine-grain sandpaper to get rid of all of the scratches, something that can also the... Rapids, MI dry piece of 1500 sandpaper wet or dry ) 600, 1200 2000. A hardwood like Poplar, you can get a uniform finish after a sanding scratched headlights with sandpaper, then polished hard the... So we ’ re working with a power sander help to create an finish! You are looking for a crystal clear look grab several sheets of sandpaper in the water and use...