How to "Clean Up" those scratched E36 Headlights.

mpower1226 · 09-26-2002, 02:14 AM

well, my headlights are pretty foggy and yellowed over years.
And Today, I decided to clean it up.
Here is what I did...

Since U.S spec headlight we use, are plastic, I thought I might be
able to wet sand it and compound it. So I did.

I went to pacific mall and grab me a set of ultra super fine sandpapers and compund for modeling use. (Which is usually for
plastic models.) from TAMIYA.

The sand paper package contains, 2000, 3000, 4000 grit fine.

Normaly, you will never find these super ultra finish sand paper at these numbers.
Also grab me a compound from same brand.

First I start up with 2000 wet sanding my headlight. and gradually go up to 3000 and finish with 4000. (4000 feels like a
paper). Now I touch the lense and feel it, really smooth...

Now I go with compound rub the hell out of headlight.

its like brand new.. now, when I touch the lense, reallly smooth,

If you cant afford new headlight or ellipsoid like me, try this method. I thought it was the inside lense that was dirty but..
no, its outside shell thats dirty.

Try, and you will be amazed.

mpower1226 · 09-26-2002, 04:04 AM

pic

mpower1226 · 09-26-2002, 04:05 AM

pic2

jello_g · 09-26-2002, 11:30 AM

I restored the plastic lenses on my Mazda using 3M Imperial Wetordry sand paper, with 400-, 600-, 1000-, 1500-, 2000-grit and then following up with Meguiar's #17 (plastic cleaner) and #10 (plastic polish). Looks great but requires a lot of elbow grease. Finer grit sand paper would have saved me mucho time for sure. mpower1226, do you remember the name of the store at Pacific Mall?

openwheel · 11-19-2002, 02:16 PM

I just did this on my new E36 and I have to say that I am very happy with the results. 2 1/2 hours of work but well worth it. My results were not as well as mpower1226 but I think my lights were really tough. I picked up the kit from Northstar Hobbies in Mississauga (beside the Licks on Dundas near Dixie). $18.95 not bad. The paper is not labeled but it is pretty easy to tell the grits. The compound they had was very good but a heck of a lot of work. I will post some photos when I get the clear corners and the eyebrow kit. Thank you for the information.

Autotechnica · 12-18-2002, 10:10 PM

Dave,

I used your method and it worked quite well. I could only find Taimiya grit as fine as 2000 and not 4000. I only used Meguires Scratch X and it turned out great! I think I will have to use a rougher grit frist next time to remove the really big dents and scratches.

here's a pic of the finished product...

M-ATTACK · 03-16-2003, 10:50 PM

good idea

BiBimBap · 04-23-2003, 01:57 AM

Instead of wet sanding and using rubbing compound - has anyone tried stuff called "PLEXUS?" I haven't used it myself - but i've seen a guy use it on a really scratched up and faded plastic shield on a truck - and it's just like new!

5style · 09-02-2008, 02:57 PM

just to update:

What you need is 800 grit, 1000 and 2000, high speed buffer and maguire's polish.

1. Sand light with 800 grit. ( wet sand)
2. Sand with 1000 ( wet sand)
3. Sand with 2000 ( wet sand)

Rinse light and dry.

2. onto a fine cotton polisher pad, apply maguire's polish. Use your high rpm rotary buffer / sander with the cotton pad adaptor and polish. Run at around 1500 rpm and make sure you move fairly fast, you do not want to melt a spot and then have to start from scratch. after you finished, rinse, and repeat.

Do this about 3 times.

Last but not least, foam polisher pad. Again , maguire's car polish, and buff, this will remove any fine imperfections.

Lastly, you can apply maguire's car wax via foam disk for rotory sander / polisher, this will seal the new shine and prevent the plastic from yellowing/ dulling.

This works on ALL plastic lights and the finished result is a like NEW clear surface, not just better, but like new! I will post pics after I do my old set to prep them for sale.

maroli · 09-03-2008, 09:13 AM

how about something for glass lights?

5style · 09-04-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maroli

how about something for glass lights?

glass is not polish able, that i am aware of, all thse glass polishing products were bull, so, you have to replace.

5style · 09-19-2008, 10:38 AM

For whomever is watching this thread, I have not yet buffed, I can t find my high speed buffer??

Anyways, when I do, I ll post results. Do NOT throw out your old lights, they are restore-able to like new guys, trust me!

King Luis · 09-27-2008, 10:33 PM

can the same thing be done to e46 headlights?

5style · 09-28-2008, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Luis

can the same thing be done to e46 headlights?

sure can, i finally found out where my rotary sander/ buffer went, so when i get it back, i ll pics pics of before and afters, and you be the judge. prolly going for it tuesday.

tg07lq · 11-10-2009, 08:35 PM

as old as this is, would anyone be able to confirm if pacific mall still has this kit? haha or better yet anyone willing to clean up my lights for a few bucks or beers?