Clearcoat on headlights is peeling

T

ThunderHorse

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May 25, 2008

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Mar 19, 2009

#1

• Mar 19, 2009

• #1

Ok so I noticed that the clearcoat on my headlights is peeling off up in the corners. Ive heard about wetsanding but I have no clue how to do it. I tried using the search button but couldnt find much. Could someone please give me some tips on what to do? Thanks.:SNSign:

 

SaleenGT2001

Well-Known Member

Jul 18, 2005

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Four Oaks NC

Mar 19, 2009

#2

• Mar 19, 2009

• #2

wetsand with 1000 grit then polish with a powerball and meguires plastix

 

T

ThunderHorse

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May 25, 2008

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Mar 19, 2009

#3

• Mar 19, 2009

• #3

Alright cool. Thanks a lot. While Im at it I have to go to the dealership for some touch up paint tomorow. I wont be taking the stang since its still in storage. Does anyone know the paint code for mineral gray? I believe it was TK but I could be wrong.

 

ScortLX

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Mar 20, 2001

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Parker, Colorado

Mar 19, 2009

#4

• Mar 19, 2009

• #4

You don't need the color code as far as I know. They just bring you the Mineral Gray paint. They have never asked me for the code the two times I have needed it.

 

T

ThunderHorse

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May 25, 2008

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Mar 19, 2009

#5

• Mar 19, 2009

• #5

Yeah thats what i thought too but the last time I had to go there for some touch up paint the guy at the parts counter was like "paint code???" and I said "uhhh Idk the code but its mineral gray" and he kept saying he still needed the paint code. He then proceeded to go out to my car to look at the code on the inside of the door. So I was just asking because if this happens again Ill be out of luck because the car isnt even in the same state as me right now. Haha.

 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta

Founding Member

Nov 22, 2001

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Motor City

Mar 20, 2009

#6

• Mar 20, 2009

• #6

Wet sand and rub. I just did it to my Ford OEM 96 Cobra headlights. They came out like brand new. Too bad I wasted 200 bucks on some China ones from Mustang Parts & Accessories - 50resto I think I might sell 'em on Ebay since they are realy Fords and they are now mint.

Start with 1000 and got to 2000 and rub out. Get a rough 3M compound, rub them, change the pad and use a lighter compound or a polish and they'll be good.

 

mogs01gt

Founding Member

Jul 22, 2002

3,113

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Ohio

Mar 20, 2009

#7

• Mar 20, 2009

• #7

SaleenGT2001 said:

wetsand with 1000 grit then polish with a powerball and meguires plastix

Click to expand...

Does autozone carry the plastix?

 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta

Founding Member

Nov 22, 2001

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Motor City

Mar 20, 2009

#8

• Mar 20, 2009

• #8

mogs01gt said:

Does autozone carry the plastix?

Click to expand...

I'd skip the plastix. Some of that stuff is still too light of a compound to cut the scratches. Go with a 3M Perfect it III

 

mogs01gt

Founding Member

Jul 22, 2002

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Ohio

Mar 20, 2009

#9

• Mar 20, 2009

• #9

SVT32VDOHC said:

I'd skip the plastix. Some of that stuff is still too light of a compound to cut the scratches. Go with a 3M Perfect it III

Click to expand...

and is that sold at autozone or where ever.

 

T

ThunderHorse

New Member

May 25, 2008

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Apr 1, 2009

#10

• Apr 1, 2009

• #10

Ok so I wet sanded the driver side light beause it was the one where the clear coat was peeling. After that I polised by hand with plastic-x. Its looks ok I guess. No more peeling clear coat but the whole light looks slightly hazy compared to my other head light. Am I doing something wrong? Should I sand more?

 

streethorse

15 Year Member

Oct 8, 2005

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Dallas Texas

Apr 1, 2009

#11

• Apr 1, 2009

• #11

I tried the sanding method when I had the 99. The problem was that the
sanding got rid of the oxidation on the outside surface but I looked at the
headlight lens with a magnifing glass and you could see tiny cracks inside the lens
that nothing will get rid of, probably extream sun damage.

 

T

ThunderHorse

New Member

May 25, 2008

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Apr 1, 2009

#12

• Apr 1, 2009

• #12

So are you saying there is no way to get rid of the hazyness??? Its not terrible but its noticable.

 

streethorse

15 Year Member

Oct 8, 2005

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Dallas Texas

Apr 1, 2009

#13

• Apr 1, 2009

• #13

Yeah, the damage was in the glass, not only on the surface.
I ended up getting new ones.

 

T

ThunderHorse

New Member

May 25, 2008

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Apr 1, 2009

#14

• Apr 1, 2009

• #14

streethorse said:

Yeah, the damage was in the glass, not only on the surface.
I ended up getting new ones.

Click to expand...

But the light wasnt hazy UNTIL I sanded it. There was just a spot in the upper corner where the clear coat was peeling.

 

squeak93

15 Year Member

Jun 2, 2005

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Joplin, Missouri

Apr 1, 2009

#15

• Apr 1, 2009

• #15

Sand more before buffing.......


Didn't work for me either.... I was barely able to make mine look like it did before... I only did one of my head lights and you can't tell which one.....

 

V_Eight

Founding Member

Sep 5, 2002

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ATL

Apr 1, 2009

#16

• Apr 1, 2009

• #16

Don't sand them unless you are going to reclear them, which is also a good time to mix in some black basecoat and tint them, giving this result:

 

Silverstang02GT

New Member

Sep 30, 2002

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Ft. Myers FL

Apr 1, 2009

#17

• Apr 1, 2009

• #17

SVT32VDOHC said:

Start with 1000 and got to 2000 and rub out. Get a rough 3M compound, rub them, change the pad and use a lighter compound or a polish and they'll be good.

Click to expand...

^ After reading I went out to the car removed the head lights went to the garage and started working on them. it took about 10-15 minutes per headlight. mirror the photos and you have an ideal of what the other side looked like
before:
View attachment 263904
View attachment 263905
after:
not exactly new but they look much better.
View attachment 263906
View attachment 263907
Thanks SVT32VDOHC

 

V_Eight

Founding Member

Sep 5, 2002

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ATL

Apr 1, 2009

#18

• Apr 1, 2009

• #18

They're not going to stay like that for long unless you protect them with clear or constant waxing.

 

Silverstang02GT

New Member

Sep 30, 2002

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Ft. Myers FL

Apr 1, 2009

#19

• Apr 1, 2009

• #19

V_Eight said:

They're not going to stay like that for long unless you protect them with clear or constant waxing.

Click to expand...

What did you use for your black basecoat and clear coat. i like how yours turned out.

 

V_Eight

Founding Member

Sep 5, 2002

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ATL

Apr 2, 2009

#20

• Apr 2, 2009

• #20

Silverstang02GT said:

What did you use for your black basecoat and clear coat. i like how yours turned out.

Click to expand...

Glasurit base, reducer, and clear. The same stuff I used on other parts of the car.