Subj : Re: Toothpaste On Dirty Headlights
To   : 2twisty
From : ogg
Date : Fri May 27 2022 14:36:22

On 27 May 2022, 2twisty said the following...
 2t>  Og> "Toothpaste On Dirty Headlights

 2t> I use a kit from autoparts store and follow the instructions and sand
 2t> them down and work up through the grits.  Make sure you spend plenty of
 2t> time on each grit after you get the bulk yuck off them so that you sand
 2t> out each previous grit's sratches and replace them with the ones from
 2t> the new grit.

I found a youtube video a few years ago that uses "Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish" to clean up the fog.  I've got a 2006 Honda Civic who's headlights were almost useless before trying this.  I mask off the area around the light, apply a generous amount of polish and use a buffer wheel to start.  Then some 600 grit with water to clean it up.  After rinsing with water, make sure there's nothing obvious that I missed.  Last step is UV spray from a McGuires(?) kit to protect.  I get around 2 years before it needs to be done again.

 2t> It's easy to think you have done it "enough," so take probably DOUBLE the
 2t> amount of time you think it should take, and clean and examine the
 2t> headlight carefully after each grit to make sure you have done a good
 2t> job.
 2t> 
 2t> I like the kits that use your drill -- you will wear your hands out
 2t> quickly using manual methods which will likely result in you not sanding
 2t> a given grit long enough.  Things to note about the drill-based kits:
 2t> 
 2t>     1) Keep the headlight damp: have a spray bottle with water handy
 2t>     2) Don't press hard.  Apply gentle pressure and let the drill do the
 2t> work.     3) Put the drill on its lowest gear (if you have that option)
 2t>     4) Don't run the drill at full speed. Take your time.
 2t> 
 2t> As a final step after using all the grits, I use some PlastX plastic
 2t> polish as a final step with a buffing pad. Keep the light MOIST!
 2t> 
 2t> Then, I use a UV-resistant clearcoat paint on them. This is a critical
 2t> step: it will fill in any fine scratches on the light, and also protect
 2t> the light from UV for longer than a regular clearcoat or just applying
 2t> wax to them.
 2t> 
 2t> I have had trouble in the past finding the UV protective clearcoat at
 2t> local parts stores.  We found it on Amazon, it's Krylon K01305.
 
I'm going to look into the Krylon product!

 2t> As always when applying paint, light coats. Don't get crazy.  It also
 2t> may be easier to apply the paint with the headlight assembly removed,
 2t> but if that is too much of a PITA for your car, just mask it off
 2t> carefully.

Good advice.

 2t> 
 2t> I've done LOTS of headlights using this method and it works well.  You
 2t> will never get the same amount of time out of the redo as when they were
 2t> brand new, but you can come back and do it again in a couple years if
 2t> needed.
 2t> 

Has the "fogging" been fixed?  If so, what year do they start showing up?

.... A book misplaced is a book lost

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 2022/04/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
 * Origin: Altair IV BBS (21:2/147)

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