hey guys, advice needed please!

So yesterday I came across a 'headlight restoration DIY guide' so I decided to fix up my right headlight.

Followed all the steps; wet sand 400, 800, 1200, 1500 and finally a thorough 2000 grit. Lastly hand polish and wax. However as you can see, the headlight is still cloudy!!!

I've also tried putting a layer of Septone Top Coat Clear, and the clear wouldn't stick to the headlight and just splits. Had to sand down and redo all the steps again. I did them 3 time over and it still wouldn't do back to normal.

Guy's am I missing soemthing here? How do I get headlight back to normal? Is there a special clear I'm supposed to use or is there a special plastic wax I should use??? help please

 

Try using a buffer and car polish. Hand polishing 2000 grit marks can only do so much.

 

did you wet sand 800-2000?

 

the best headlight solution is to buy a cheap battery drill motor from harbor freights, and pick up their pittsburg headlight restore kit, or a 3m one. the pittsburg has all the sand paper, and headlight polish in it. what I did was attach the sandpaper to the drill, ( it has its own mandrel), and sprayed some water while sanding the headlight. you can sand for quite a while, as it is a fine grit, to get the headlights as smooth as possible. then, apply the polish, and use the buffing pad from the kit with the drill motor. about 15 minutes later, my headlights were crystal clear. remember to get some sealant or clear, or you will be doing it once a year.

 

The correct way to do a true headlight restoration that will last as long as your paint is to clean and sand the headlights. 800 then 1000. 1500 then 2000. Then get a 2k automotive clear and spray them. It will outlast any polishing "restoration" and you will never have to worry about it. I hate seeing people try to polish headlights expecting them to be clear and last. It just won't happen.

 

Sorry for double posting, but you can NOT spray clear over wax. You now need to use a wax and grease remover. And never start off with 400 grit. Way too rough

 

Clear is not going to stick to wax either clear or polish

 

Yea looks like you used a wimpy polishing compound. I agree the best and longest lasting finish would be to spray clear on the headlight.

Always wipe off wax with rubbing alcohol before painting.

Make sure you spray in an area with low contamination and use an adhesion promoter on the lens to get the clear to stick effectively.