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Handz Detailed: 2004 Cobra Headlight Restoration #3

  • Thread starter Thread starter SRT Handz
  • Start date Start date Feb 21, 2011
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SRT Handz

I tripped & fell down and cut myself & got blood
Oct 10, 2004
941
23
19
La Mirada, CA
Feb 21, 2011
#1
  • Feb 21, 2011
  • #1
So this is the third set of Cobra Headlights I have done a restoration on.

I was at the gas station and was talking to an older gentleman about his low milage (15K) 2004 Cobra. We were talking about detailing and I noticed he had brand new Dark Smoked Headlights. I found out he still had the OEM Stock headlights sitting in his garage so I offered to buy them from him and the became mine!!!

I spent a good 5-6 Days on these lights. they were already in very good condition but i wanted them show car perfect!!! I sanded, and sanded, and sanded every defect out. It took alot of time but it was well worth it.

This is the best headlights restoration I have done to date. I spent the most time even doing a light a second time to ensure then best results. The Pics speak for themselves!!!


3M Wet/Dry Sand Paper
-1000 Grit
-1500 Grit
-2000 Grit

-3M Rubbing Compound w/Hexlogic Orange
-3M Machine Polish w/Hexlogic Black
-CG Rocket Polish w/Hexlogic Blue

-CG EZ-Creme Glaze
-Menzerna Powerlock


Left Side = Sanded
Right Side = Polished and Finished










Packed, Protected and Ready for Sale!!!

 

sneaky98gt

10 Year Member
Apr 23, 2008
2,387
144
114
NC State University
Feb 21, 2011
#2
  • Feb 21, 2011
  • #2
Looks good, as usual.

Been putting your blower to good use. Got some top secret mods planned for the near future.
 

SRT Handz

I tripped & fell down and cut myself & got blood
Oct 10, 2004
941
23
19
La Mirada, CA
Feb 21, 2011
#3
  • Feb 21, 2011
  • #3
Thanks.

PM me the mod cause i wanna know what my blower is gonna do lol
 

1987stangman

Member
Jul 12, 2006
684
24
19
Feb 21, 2011
#4
  • Feb 21, 2011
  • #4
Looks awesome! I have a question for you if your willing to share the info. I have done several headlight restos on my own cars and others. I use the same wet sand/buff out type deal and they look new again but I find that in 6 months to a year they start to get oxidized again. Whats the secret to keeping them that way for longer?
 

SRT Handz

I tripped & fell down and cut myself & got blood
Oct 10, 2004
941
23
19
La Mirada, CA
Feb 21, 2011
#5
  • Feb 21, 2011
  • #5
1987stangman said:
Looks awesome! I have a question for you if your willing to share the info. I have done several headlight restos on my own cars and others. I use the same wet sand/buff out type deal and they look new again but I find that in 6 months to a year they start to get oxidized again. Whats the secret to keeping them that way for longer?
Click to expand...

You have to keep any headlights protected with Wax/Sealant or they will fade just like your paint.
 

johnnyt03gt

5 Year Member
Mar 15, 2008
453
5
29
dallas TX
Feb 22, 2011
#6
  • Feb 22, 2011
  • #6
how about. when the the factory tint starts to flake off. those lights?
 

SteedaGT9150

Advanced Member
Nov 10, 2004
1,351
59
68
Maryland
Feb 22, 2011
#7
  • Feb 22, 2011
  • #7
then its time to start sanding ole boy
 

01GT eibach

Active Member
Nov 18, 2002
1,075
0
36
Pittsburgh, PA
Feb 22, 2011
#8
  • Feb 22, 2011
  • #8
SteedaGT9150 said:
then its time to start sanding ole boy
Click to expand...
Yes ... or you can just get some new lights. Before all there were was Ford OEM which are kinda pricey, but now you can get identical knockoffs for much cheaper. That is the route I went for my '01. Just my $0.02.
 

Sonic04GT

Member
Nov 1, 2009
844
2
19
West Palm Beach, FL
Feb 22, 2011
#9
  • Feb 22, 2011
  • #9
Wow, gorgeous.
 

RedDaemon

10 Year Member
Mar 31, 2005
3,470
9
108
Atlanta, GA
Feb 22, 2011
#10
  • Feb 22, 2011
  • #10
nice job!

how do you keep the headlamps fastened down when you resurface them? ive done a couple and always hold them in my hand. its very awkward and often leads to me being covered in white plastic residue after i wet sand them

my method certainly works but i am curious if you have a different method?
 

1987stangman

Member
Jul 12, 2006
684
24
19
Feb 22, 2011
#11
  • Feb 22, 2011
  • #11
SRT Handz said:
You have to keep any headlights protected with Wax/Sealant or they will fade just like your paint.
Click to expand...


The last set I did (on my 96' GT) I used a sealer but still getting oxidized again. It's not a huge issue since they are easy to remove and redo but aggrivating none the less. I kinda wanted a set of smoked lamps anyway so I might just buy a new set.
 

fiveoho

15 Year Member
Apr 28, 2005
1,958
16
69
TN
Feb 23, 2011
#12
  • Feb 23, 2011
  • #12
RedDaemon said:
nice job!

how do you keep the headlamps fastened down when you resurface them? ive done a couple and always hold them in my hand. its very awkward and often leads to me being covered in white plastic residue after i wet sand them

my method certainly works but i am curious if you have a different method?
Click to expand...


no man should ever be covered in his own residue. eww.
 

N8Dogg98

15 Year Member
Apr 4, 2005
3,872
238
184
MN
Feb 23, 2011
#13
  • Feb 23, 2011
  • #13
fiveoho said:
no man should ever be covered in his own residue. eww.
Click to expand...

View attachment 195772

 

fiveoho

15 Year Member
Apr 28, 2005
1,958
16
69
TN
Feb 23, 2011
#14
  • Feb 23, 2011
  • #14
^ now come on man - i didn't take it that far .
 

N8Dogg98

15 Year Member
Apr 4, 2005
3,872
238
184
MN
Feb 23, 2011
#15
  • Feb 23, 2011
  • #15
They call me nasty N8 for a reason
 

fiveoho

15 Year Member
Apr 28, 2005
1,958
16
69
TN
Feb 23, 2011
#16
  • Feb 23, 2011
  • #16


shew.
 

RedDaemon

10 Year Member
Mar 31, 2005
3,470
9
108
Atlanta, GA
Feb 23, 2011
#17
  • Feb 23, 2011
  • #17
well played!
 

RedDaemon

10 Year Member
Mar 31, 2005
3,470
9
108
Atlanta, GA
Feb 23, 2011
#18
  • Feb 23, 2011
  • #18
fwiw, ive had good luck with hand-applying Meg's PlastX over the headlamps every time i wash my car. you just have to make sure you keep up with it so as to not need to take them out and resurface them and stuff. its great for the light oxidation accumulation you get on older lamps that might have been resurfaced already and are starting to show wear. The only tough part is matching the sound output to your speed.

 

N8Dogg98

15 Year Member
Apr 4, 2005
3,872
238
184
MN
Feb 23, 2011
#19
  • Feb 23, 2011
  • #19
The other thing you can do is hand apply Meg's PlastX over the headlamps everytime you wash the car. You just have to make sure you keep up with it so as to not need to take them out and resurface them and stuff.

 

RedDaemon

10 Year Member
Mar 31, 2005
3,470
9
108
Atlanta, GA
Feb 23, 2011
#20
  • Feb 23, 2011
  • #20
 
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