SGT.ROCK Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 What is the proper way to get the scratches off of the headlights on my Caddy? I tried using 1000 800 600 grit sand paper and that stuff in the bottle that was posted but now my head light looks worse than before. Please help me resolve this problem before I ruin the other one and go junk yard shoppin for new ones . Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill K Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Check this out: http://www.properautocare.com/polplasheadl.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OynxSTS Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Here is how I did mine... And they were REALY Badly pitted All by hand... NO POWER TOOLS: 1) Using LOTS and Lots of water preferably from the hose... Lightly sand out the pits in the plastic... I wouldn't go any courser than 600 grit... Remember LIGHTLY... This is a cleaning process... let not try and reshape the lens... 2) This will leave the lens milky and cloudy but smooth... This is OK... 3) Pick your favorite polishing compound...(I like mothers Mag Wheel polish) and again, by hand with a clean cloth polish out the cloudiness... Press a little harder in this step. 4) Follow this up with a plastic polish... (again I like the mothers product) 5) This should leave them chrysal clear... and like new... 6) Some like to wax them... I'm always worried that wax might yellow so I leave mine unwaxed... Suit yourself... Good luck. Easin' down the highway in a new Cadillac, I had a fine fox in front, I had three more in the back ZZTOP, I'm Bad I'm Nationwide Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Shouldn't you be going from 600 grit to 1000, 1500 and finaly 2000 between step 1 & 2? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STSJohn Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 when I did mine I started out with the 600 grit then went to the 1000 grit and finished with 2000 grit, then after dusted the area off and applied meguiars PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish by hand and buffed it off with my buffer, they where really yellow and pitted now there super clear and have no scratches 2004 Cadillac CTS 3.6L VVT Light platinum 39K miles ~Vogue VTXi Package - Corsa Exhaust - K & N Cold air intake - Blacked out tints 2004 Cadillac Escalade 6.0L all-whell drive Pewter 42k miles ~22" Tis 07 Rims - E&G Chrome Vertyical billet Grill - Limo tints - Tv's in the Visor and headrests 1990 Mustang GT Painted Cadillac Diamond White - 604 Rwhp Family Cars: 2004 Cadillac XLR (Mom) 2005 Cadillac STS V8(Dad) 2000 Eldorado ETC (Brother) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGT.ROCK Posted October 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Thank You all for your responces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OynxSTS Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Shouldn't you be going from 600 grit to 1000, 1500 and finaly 2000 between step 1 & 2? Yes this is the perfect procedure... I only used 600 and 1000 on mine skipping the 1500 and 2000 with no issues... Easin' down the highway in a new Cadillac, I had a fine fox in front, I had three more in the back ZZTOP, I'm Bad I'm Nationwide Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navion Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Shouldn't you be going from 600 grit to 1000, 1500 and finaly 2000 between step 1 & 2? Yes this is the perfect procedure... I only used 600 and 1000 on mine skipping the 1500 and 2000 with no issues... Just remember, when sanding any kind of acrylic, that sanding generates heat! If heat is not allowed to dissipate it will cause the acrylic to craze. Crazing is actually microscopic cracks. Always sand in an alternating pattern using a soft rubber sanding block. Sand for a minute, stop & let heat dissipate. Even if flushing with water while sanding, (best method), stop about every minute to allow the heat to dissipate. Acrylic is a very poor conductor of heat. The heat build up on the surface causes the surface to expand. While the subsurface stays in it's original condition. This is the phenomenon that causes the surface to craze. I personally wouldn't start with anything courser than 1000 grit for the very worst headlight lens. Even 2000 grit will leave noticeable scratches if you look closely enough. Remember, don't rush this job. A good result requires patience. Britt Britt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 On some brake lights...we use worn out 2000 grit paper....which is more like 3000 paper after use, then polish. The longer you use a sand paper...the finer it gets grit wise. 600 would be pretty hard unless you were bairly touching it. Anyway, it really helps those yellowed Catera and Ford lamps. You really can make them new with a slow process. Plan on a couple of hours... Logan Diagnostic LLC www.airbagcrash.com www.ledfix.com www.ledfix.com/yukontaillightrepair.html www.ledfix.com/ledreplacements.html www.ledfix.com/j42385toolrental.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rek Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 I've had good results sanding "Under Water"- in a bucket of water with a couple drops of dish soap added (not enough for foam, just a bit for lube/cleaning). Your hands will look like "Old Prunes" but the paper will cut faster-cleaned/lubed, and the plastic stays cool under water. I tend to use the finer grits (1500-2000-2500). New paper, light pressure, always alternate strokes to remove previous grit cut marks. Final polish first with old terry cloth wash rag, then finished with micro-fiber cloth (again-alternate strokes, to end with up and down strokes). rek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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