Headlamp cleaning Fail
#1
Registered Member
Thread Starter
Headlamp cleaning Fail
Today I decided to restore the hazy headlamps. Previously I was using a meguier's kit but that was not a long term solution and the lamps became yellow again soon after I use it anyways.
This time I used a 3m kit. Wet sanded up to 3000 then polished and at first the results were great as you can see in the photos. (that white gunk came from the lamp while wet sanding with 500 grit, at first it was yellow, too much build up)
I decided to clean it with ipa and microfiber cloth and used opti-coat 2.0 as protectant. It was looking very nice when I left it.
At night when I turned the lights on I realized that it looked as it there were hairline cracks everywhere inside the housing. The light goes through quite well but the headlamp does not look good.
Anybody having a similar issue or solution to this?
This time I used a 3m kit. Wet sanded up to 3000 then polished and at first the results were great as you can see in the photos. (that white gunk came from the lamp while wet sanding with 500 grit, at first it was yellow, too much build up)
I decided to clean it with ipa and microfiber cloth and used opti-coat 2.0 as protectant. It was looking very nice when I left it.
At night when I turned the lights on I realized that it looked as it there were hairline cracks everywhere inside the housing. The light goes through quite well but the headlamp does not look good.
Anybody having a similar issue or solution to this?
#2
Registered Member
Rubbing compound works well
#3
Registered Member
Thread Starter
tried it didn't work, I will try resanding a small patch to see if Ican get rid of it. It actually looks great in daylight, at night it does not odstruct the light coming out , you just see the hairline lines when looking at a close distance.
Last edited by ThebigJ; 08-03-2018 at 04:05 AM.
#4
Super Moderator
iTrader: (3)
I did the same thing to my headlights... its form the protectant coating not being applied properly...I had a paint correction done sometime after and the guy couldn't get it off even with cutting and polishing, said they need to be replaced...I've learned to live with it...I haven't tried an aggressive recut myself so maybe the detailer was just being lazy, but please post a solution if you do sort it out...
#5
Registered Member
Thread Starter
I did the same thing to my headlights... its form the protectant coating not being applied properly...I had a paint correction done sometime after and the guy couldn't get it off even with cutting and polishing, said they need to be replaced...I've learned to live with it...I haven't tried an aggressive recut myself so maybe the detailer was just being lazy, but please post a solution if you do sort it out...
The following users liked this post:
Baadnewsburr (09-17-2018)
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I’ve done this on a few cars, sometimes you have to sand off more but the damage has been done to the plastic from the UV rays and the cracks your seeing is the top layer starting to deteriorate . The best bet since you have the pretty clear is to scuff it with 1500-2000 and have them cleared or alternatively get them wrapped in clear film.
#7
no amount of scuffing, polishing, sanding will get rid of those tiny cracks. those cracks are the result of too much pressure and heat from using the polishing pad on the clear plastic lense of the headlamp and the cracks developed as a result. the cracks and splintering are actual on the inside surface not outside surface.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
xevious10
Engine, Drivetrain & Forced-Induction
1
08-17-2010 02:22 PM