DIY -Retoration of head lamps like new !

[UltimateShine]

New year is coming, having a clear vision of head lamps do count a lot in terms of driving safety.

If you wish to DIY restore your scratched, dull and yellowish polycarbonate(plastic ) head lamps (not that lamps ) like new, see this movie clip, its save your hundreds of hard earn money.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2zAQ1lcp0Q

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

 

[loose_end]

Marvelous..So , what substances that actually stick to the plastic headlamp??...Thank You Very Much

 

[wch5274]

walau wehhhh....
thats 2 nice...... :proud:
good idea.... using sand paper mean we r throwing some layer of glass??? r we??
can it be done to waja.... quite jealouse with u lah

 

[jeremy]

i tried using brasso on my headlamps.. it doesn't work.. i didn't sand it 1st tho

 

[UltimateShine]

what substances that actually stick to the plastic headlamp??..

You may use Car Compound for heavy swirls, dull and yellowish lamps.

or

Car Polishing cream for mid to mild swirls and not so heavy hazy lamps

and

a layer of glaze or best still with plastic sealant to seal off the plastic panel so that your head lamps is protecting against Ultra Violet Ray (UV Ray) and minimise the scratches.

Merry Christmas !


best wishes from
www.ultimateshine.com.my

 

[loose_end]

You may use Car Compound for heavy swirls, dull and yellowish lamps.

or

Car Polishing cream for mid to mild swirls and not so heavy hazy lamps

and

a layer of glaze or best still with plastic sealant to seal off the plastic panel so that your head lamps is protecting against Ultra Violet Ray (UV Ray) and minimise the scratches.

Merry Christmas !


best wishes from
www.ultimateshine.com.my

Erm , i mean the layer that makes it dull..sorry

Bump:

i tried using brasso on my headlamps.. it doesn't work.. i didn't sand it 1st tho

Wah , where you get this idea from..i thought brasso is only to shine metals ?..

 

[UltimateShine]

using sand paper mean we r throwing some layer of glass??? r we??
can it be done to waja....

Restoration can be done on any polycarbonate(hard and flexi plastic) head lamp which i believe your Waja lamps are also the same material.

How to identify if it is polycarbonate ? just knock with your finger and you'll hear the hard plastic sound, otherwise its made of glass

Most car manufacturer using polycarbonate plastic for head lamps since 1995 for cost saving, better clarity and not easily breakable(coz polycarbonate is a kind of very hard but flexi plastic)

the professional radio control car body like kyosho are mostly made of Polycarbonate !

Bump:

i tried using brasso on my headlamps.. it doesn't work.. i didn't sand it 1st tho

I am not sure if brasso is petroluem based, if yes then it make more harm then good to your lamps as it will melt your plastic to a certain extent, just polish with compound (for heavy swirl) or polishing cream will do.

 

[xand]

1) Wash headlamp with soapy water then dry.
2) Put masking tape to cover the headlamp surrounding to avoid scratches to those areas.
3) Apply Polishing Compound or Polishing Cream to the headlamp, then polish with 1,500 grit sand paper.
4) Repeat apply polishing compound/cream while polishing with sand paper, and final with 2,500 girt sand paper.
5) Wipe and buff off the polished residue with a piece of clean microfiber cloth.

Are the steps correct, especially Step 3 and Step 4?
Guess the polishing compound/cream act as a 'lubricant' for the sand paper for polishing, right? If not, sure the sand paper will damage the headlamp's surface...

 

[UltimateShine]

1) Are the steps correct, especially Step 3 and Step 4?
Guess the polishing compound/cream act as a 'lubricant' for the sand paper for polishing, right? If not, sure the sand paper will damage the headlamp's surface...

3) sand with 1,500 and final with 2,500 girt sand paper to remove swirls, scratches and yellowish layer.

4.) Polish to remove the fine swirls left after 2,500 grit sanding.

5.) final protection with layer(s) of glaze or sealant .

 

[xand]

thanks for making it clear.. my kelisa headlamp having same problem too, tout of replacing with new headlamps, but guess i got another option n save my wallet if this works.

 

[epitBDL]

great diy!just wondering..is it as easy as it look?i'll definitely try on my headlight.was thinking to clear coat after finishing...what r your opinion?better to clearcoat or not...

 

[UltimateShine]

I am not sure if clear coat will peal off after sometime on the Plastic lamps and worst still if the spray work is not perfect. ie : orange peel effect which cause the lamp does not focus on the right spots like OEM standard. :hmmmm:

 

[JINEIL2EN]

I am not sure if clear coat will peal off after sometime on the Plastic lamps and worst still if the spray work is not perfect. ie : orange peel effect which cause the lamp does not focus on the right spots like OEM standard. :hmmmm:

i have a same tot as well...

 

[tacira]

very good idea, thanks
want to try...

 

[wishleo]

I wander aftre the process how long will its last before its will dull again... any bros hv experience can advise..?

 

[TitanRev]

if i sand the headlights the headlights will have scratches right? won't it do more damage to the headlights? what kind of polishing compound should I use?

 

[Maxx]

i think the polishing compound used in this diy is Rubbing Compound.
its like polish cream, but got "microsand" substance. can be feel if u try with ur finger.
its like finest grade sandpaper, but in cream form.
hardware got. just ask for rubbing compound.

it will remove 2500 grade "marks".

if want to make sure, try the steps on other surface 1st.
preferable clear plastic.
the u will get the idea how to polish ur headlamp.. i mean ur car headlamp

 

[ken12292703]

Very very good tips bro. I will have to try them on my old car's headlamps...

Bump: Very very good tips bro. I will have to try them on my old car's headlamps...

 

[jaynian]

nice tips bro....how many time we can polish like that??

 

[slick]

Hi guys,

Anyone tried it yet?

Care to share some before and after pics?

Cheers!