Severely oxidated headlights

[katotter]

Hi Guys,

My aunt found out that I have a DA polisher and she asked me a favour.

She has a little Nissan Micra four door. The hesdlights have known better days, its just as bad as the Renault Clio that PaulVW restored a few months ago. I have the following in my arsenal, please advise if I can use it:

Menz Power Gloss
Menz SIP
Menz IP
Menz Final Finish
Megs Plast-X
Collinite 845
White, Blue and Red flexipads buffing pads.

Do you guys think I will be able to make a difference to the condition, or do I need to wetsand, I would rather not as I have no experience with it.

Thanks
Wouter

[STaX]

I've had a go at headlights before.
All I did was sand with waterpaper(P400 then P800) soaked in water and a soap of some kind, I would use your regular car wash shampoo, to lubricate. Then followed by SIP on a LC orange pad on my rotary. Results were good but I would suggest maybe using a finer grain sand paper(finer than P800) to finish before polishing to ensure that you remove more scarring caused by the sanding. Especially seeing as you are using a DA.

[calypso]

Lets see them.

[STaX]

If you wanted to see my attempt....sorry, they are on a car that wasn't mine and have no pics. They were on an old Chrysler Neon though.

[katotter]

Thanx Stax, I will do the wetsand if all else fail. I will be trying the power gloss as it has the deepest cut, but I will follow the rule of least aggressive method first and then more aggressive. I saw a video on youtube off a Dodge Neon that a guy did, they were not as bed as these are but I think I will see results.

I will post some pics as soon as I see my aunt again, she is out of town for a while on business.

[TOGWT]

Removing oxidation or scratches from vehicle headlights or brake lights (also polycarbonate) also removes the OEM ultra violet (UV-B) protection. Surfaces that have yellowed are a sign that the ultra violet (UV) sacrificial coating has failed and must be resurfaced and re-coated

Application Methodology
• Use a solvent type cleaner (Klasse or Zaino All-In-One) if this does not remove the oxidation use a plastic polish
• Meguiar’s PlastX contains a microscopic diminishing abrasive, which requires a little pressure when applying it to enable these abrasives to remove the discoloured plastic and expose new plastic.
• If the lens is severely hazed or scratched wet-sand with 1000–1500-2000 grit finishing paper, allow finishing paper to soak for 30 minutes + and use plenty of surface lubrication
• Tape-off all around the lenses so that you don't accidentally wet sand or buff the surrounding areas.
• Using a random orbital buffer with a 3.5-inch backing plate and a 4-inch (Lake County (LC) White) polishing pad or a terry cloth applicator
• Place a small dab (about ½-inch diameter) of plastic polish on the foam pad or applicator.
• Place the pad on the lens surface and turn on the machine (speed #4)
• Polish the lens repeatedly in a left-to-right and an up and down pattern.
• Continue polishing until all the polish is gone
• Wipe the lens with a damp Microfiber towel
• Inspect the lens, repeat the polishing process 2-3 times as necessary
• Finally wipe down the headlight surfaces with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or a tack rag to eliminate any residue.
• Plastic polish will not remove clarity defects that are within the plastic but it will remove external/surface scratching and ultra violet (UV) oxidation (yellowing) as well as OEM applied UV protection that should be replaced

[katotter]

Wow power failures suck! I have to do this post twice

Thanks TOGWT, as always a thorough post and answer. My uncle has however tried all the solvent based cleaners as he sprays Air Force helicopters, he has access to some. But to no avail

I am receiving my Plast-X this weekend so I will be trying it next week or so, but you said rather a RO polisher, why not my DA polisher? That is all I have!

You also said the surface must be re-coated, with what and how? Will Collinite 845 do, or am I on the wrong path?

Here is a few pics that I snapped a few hours ago, sorry if they are a bit crappy, but I took them with my phone :
Right hand side (when you are in the car)

Left hand side (when you are in the car)

Left hand side closer up (this one has the worst oxidation and RIDS off the two)


Thanks
Wouter

[Carn]

Your best bet would be some p2000 and p3000 water paper followed by a couple of hits with SIP and FA or similar. Watch the speeds and pressure when polishing as the lenses could be deformed due to heat...

[TOGWT]

[You also said the surface must be re-coated, with what and how? Will Collinite 845 do, or am I on the wrong path?]

A product that contains UV protection (OPT Opti-Seal) or a clear coat paint that contains UV stabilizers.

I' sure Carn can advise what is available in SA