Sandpaper to remove scratches on headlight?

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Nov 30, 2014 | 02:06 PM
  #1  
What grit should I use?
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Nov 30, 2014 | 02:26 PM
  #2  
Use a 3 m kit you can find at an auto parts store. You need to cut with sp and then protect with a plastic sealant.
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Nov 30, 2014 | 03:27 PM
  #3  
Not just sandpaper... you have to do it in stages starting with a high grit paper and working up to an even higher grit and eventually a polish.
Watch a video on youtube so you don't mess it up and it's probably worth buying the 3M kit.
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Nov 30, 2014 | 06:02 PM
  #4  
SUPER high grit. Like 3000 or higher. Start with a lower grit and work up to the 3000 last.
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Nov 30, 2014 | 06:34 PM
  #5  
Quote: Use a 3 m kit you can find at an auto parts store. You need to cut with sp and then protect with a plastic sealant.
Best advice ^ 3M has the best headlight restore kit you'll ever find! Leave it to those that have everything you need to make em like new...Gary
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Nov 30, 2014 | 06:36 PM
  #6  
3m kit and then a Uv protectant
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Nov 30, 2014 | 06:48 PM
  #7  
i did 600-1200 wetsanding and then a rubbing compound and they came out very very clean and cheaper than the 3m kit and i have ton of stuff left over.

the 3m kit is sweet if you want to overpay for stuff.
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Nov 30, 2014 | 08:22 PM
  #8  
Quote: 3m kit and then a Uv protectant
UV is Alien waves bruh. Sealant is fine.
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Nov 30, 2014 | 08:36 PM
  #9  
Quote: i did 600-1200 wetsanding and then a rubbing compound and they came out very very clean and cheaper than the 3m kit and i have ton of stuff left over. the 3m kit is sweet if you want to overpay for stuff.
its $15-20 and for many, a lot of people don't have assorted grits of sandpaper especially finer grits, let alone a compound to finish with


The 3m kit is sweet if you need an easy fix that's already got pretty much all you need
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Nov 30, 2014 | 10:21 PM
  #10  
^not just that, but 600 will leave deep scratches. I wouldn't start with less than 1000 then 1500 and 2000. Then rubbing compound/buff a few times, then a sealer, then a few coats of wax.

Continue to clean with rubbing compound every couple weeks and you'll never have to go thru the whole process again.
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Dec 1, 2014 | 12:19 PM
  #11  
If you want you headlight to look brand new you can use a d.a sander with 320 if the scratches are really bad use 220 but DO NOT use a heavier grit the 220 it will turn the plastic in to little tiny hairs. But start with 320 to remove all the chips and scratches and go all the way up to 1000-1200. When your finished with the 1000-1200 use some wax and grease remover (from a paint store) and wipe the lens itll allow you to see what the finish will look like and you can see if you got all the chips and scratches. Then use a nice u.v protectant clear coat and re clear the headlights then you won't have to do anything but wash them. I did mine a year ago and not even a hint of yellow.
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Dec 1, 2014 | 01:59 PM
  #12  
Quote: If you want you headlight to look brand new you can use a d.a sander with 320 if the scratches are really bad use 220 but DO NOT use a heavier grit the 220 it will turn the plastic in to little tiny hairs. But start with 320 to remove all the chips and scratches and go all the way up to 1000-1200. When your finished with the 1000-1200 use some wax and grease remover (from a paint store) and wipe the lens itll allow you to see what the finish will look like and you can see if you got all the chips and scratches. Then use a nice u.v protectant clear coat and re clear the headlights then you won't have to do anything but wash them. I did mine a year ago and not even a hint of yellow.
Ty. I need to get a real DA polisher lol.
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Dec 1, 2014 | 10:17 PM
  #13  
The insides of mine had a ton of caked on condensation looking stuff, how can I refinish the inside of the lens?
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Dec 1, 2014 | 10:39 PM
  #14  
Quote: The insides of mine had a ton of caked on condensation looking stuff, how can I refinish the inside of the lens?
I did mine one time after some crap from a wet ballast drained on the inside of my lens and it turned out really nice.

You'll need soap, some kind of spot free rinse (plenty of these by your dishwasher soaps in any grocery/general store. I used cascade) and an air compressor with a thin air blowing tool attachment.

Basically take out all the electronics, fill with soapy water, shake it around, repeat until you're satisfied with the cleanliness. If you can fashion a thin bendy tool that won't scratch the lens it helps with the tougher stuff.

After that rinse with your water/spot free rinse a couple times and drain. Then blow it out with compressed air until completely dry and reassemble.
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Dec 8, 2014 | 07:45 AM
  #15  
Make sure the fogging isn't on the inside of the headlights. Infiniti is known for moisture in the headlights
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