Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Jan 30, 2020 21:12:51 GMT -5
I have an old car, the Suns Rays have Fogged and Oxidized the clear plastic lenses on the front of the headlights. Watching YouTube videos on Restoring headlights it looks like you sand off the oxidized layer and then polish it all clear. Has anyone tried this with rock grit and polish to make the lenses clear. Or do you have any suggestions on what I may try. Was thinking about some polish pads on a drill, then apply 600 or 1000 grit and water to get the top layer off. Followed by another pad and smaller grit or polish ?
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Post by mohs on Jan 30, 2020 21:20:45 GMT -5
good idea ! do a window nothing to lose
and let us know got the same problem
altho have tried doing eyeglasses no success yet
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AzRockGeek
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2016
Posts: 635
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Post by AzRockGeek on Jan 30, 2020 21:26:46 GMT -5
Use some Off bug spray, cleans them right up. You will need to clear coat it to make it last. Sanding will work as well, start around 600, then go to polish. Will fog again if not clear coated as well. Common problem in Az.
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Post by mohs on Jan 30, 2020 21:36:45 GMT -5
i'll try that Tim
the rear window on the '99 Infiniti is a Phoenix sun beaten glass really hazy
so I been wondering if anything can be done ?
short of new which I won't do..
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Post by captbob on Jan 31, 2020 7:54:55 GMT -5
Silly idea, but why can't auto makers just make the damn headlight lenses out of glass like they used to?
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 31, 2020 8:04:57 GMT -5
Silly idea, but why can't auto makers just make the damn headlight lenses out of glass like they used to? I've been saying this for years, captbob! Plastic headlights suck.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 31, 2020 8:10:55 GMT -5
i'll try that Tim the rear window on the '99 Infiniti is a Phoenix sun beaten glass really hazy so I been wondering if anything can be done ? short of new which I won't do.. I don't think I've ever seen glass go foggy because of sun. It's more likely been sand blasted with all the dust blowing around. That can probably be polished out, but no clue how to go about it. Maybe EricD knows?
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EricD
Cave Dweller
High in the Mountains
Member since November 2019
Posts: 1,142
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Post by EricD on Jan 31, 2020 9:29:20 GMT -5
Polishing automotive glass turns into far more labor than just going to work and saving up for a replacement. And yes I've never seen sun damage glass.
Plastic on the other hand is quite a bit easier. We start on headlights wet with 500, then move to 800, 1000, 3000, rubbing compound, polishing compound, super fine polishing compound, and then turtle wax which does wear off in a few washes and needs to be re-applied to protect it from UV. Park with your tail lights into the sun, they are made of better stuff, intentionally.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Jan 31, 2020 9:53:05 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for the encouragement and suggestions I'm going to give it a try within a few weeks They are really oxidized so I can't possibly make it any worse Will let you know how it works out . . .
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Jan 31, 2020 9:55:11 GMT -5
Yes, "Off" bug spray works great!
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Jan 31, 2020 10:06:45 GMT -5
Use some Off bug spray, cleans them right up. You will need to clear coat it to make it last. Sanding will work as well, start around 600, then go to polish. Will fog again if not clear coated as well. Common problem in Az. Some of the YouTube videos were suggesting that WD-40 would clear them up but others said that it only works temporarily.
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Post by mohs on Jan 31, 2020 10:29:07 GMT -5
i'll try that Tim the rear window on the '99 Infiniti is a Phoenix sun beaten glass really hazy so I been wondering if anything can be done ? short of new which I won't do.. I don't think I've ever seen glass go foggy because of sun. It's more likely been sand blasted with all the dust blowing around. That can probably be polished out, but no clue how to go about it. Maybe EricD knows? think your right Robin its the sun screen film that bleary except don't under estimate the Phoenix to melt glass rocks brains ect,,,
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Post by RickB on Jan 31, 2020 11:02:43 GMT -5
Talked to someone years ago about this. He did all the sanding that Eric said but then sprayed the headlights with clear gloss polyurethane.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2020 14:14:30 GMT -5
Yes, using polishes will work as has been mentioned. If using a drill, keep on a slow speed - too easy to heat up the plastic too much. End up with around 3000 grit and follow with an auto polishing compound. You could use a pad on your drill for the compound. Once done, you'll need to either apply a spray UV headlight sealant, or apply a UV-resistant paint protection film (both available from auto supply shops). If you don't UV protect, the yellow will come back quickly.
Windows can turn yellow/foggy/iridescent due to deterioration of the lamination layers. Nothing you can do for that except replace the glass.
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huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by huskeric on Jan 31, 2020 17:50:03 GMT -5
Hey, I haven't been on the boards for EVER.
I actually did my son's fog light lenses with automotive paper and then used an RO polisher and polishing compound. It sounds like lots of work, but I did 220, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500 and then polishing compound. I think I probably spent a total of an hour on them, and they came out like new. I have pics somewhere of the before/during/after. I didn't spray them with anything, just polish/wax, and they've been great since.
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,207
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Post by RWA3006 on Jan 31, 2020 18:05:51 GMT -5
I've done it with wet/dry paper and it worked just fine. I then sprayed with lacquer and they were beautiful, but a year later it deteriorated. Next time I'll treat with something that has UV inhibitor.
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einholt
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2019
Posts: 95
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Post by einholt on Jan 31, 2020 19:07:04 GMT -5
I bought a kit for a power drill for twenty bucks at autozone. Followed the instructions: sand, wash, sand, wash, sand, wash, polish, buff, and applied a sealant. The headlights on my wife's car look new two years after I did it. I imagine it's cheaper to do it this way than some of the alternatives I saw online.
I was smart enough to put some painter's tape around the headlights so I would scratch the paint.
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Post by HankRocks on Jan 31, 2020 19:42:21 GMT -5
All this fuss about headlights on your car!! too much time on your hands, you need a hobby. I might suggest rocks!!
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