• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

refinishing headlights

  • Thread starter Thread starter SaleenGT2001
  • Start date Start date Oct 24, 2007

SaleenGT2001

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2005
2,811
4
58
Four Oaks NC
Oct 24, 2007
#1
  • Oct 24, 2007
  • #1
just finished refinishing my pass side headlight. it had some light pitting but was bad enough to really bother me.

anyways i wanted to share my experiance so others can give it a shot.

i didnt buy one of those kits that are suppose to remove oxidation. all you need is 2 packs of sand paper, 1000 grit and 1500 grit, and a bottle of meguires plastx polish.

remove your headlights and use the 1000 grit to remove the major pitting. you can use it dry or wetsand it. make sure to sand everything evenly for the best results. after sanding with the 1000 grit paper just switch to the 1500 grit and wetsand the entire assembly. dry the headlight off and look to see that it is completely smooth all the way across. them you simply use the plastx polish to remove the light scratches left behind by the sanding.

thats it. just reinstall your lights and enjoy
 

hotmustang331

Active Member
Apr 29, 2004
2,967
3
48
Bastrop,TX
Oct 24, 2007
#2
  • Oct 24, 2007
  • #2
SWEET ill give that a try Thanks for the info...mine arent looking too hot
 

RedDaemon

10 Year Member
Mar 31, 2005
3,470
9
108
Atlanta, GA
Oct 24, 2007
#3
  • Oct 24, 2007
  • #3
if you can find 2000/3000 grit it will make them look even better. 1500 leaves a bit of a "haze" when compared to a brand new unit
 

whyask

New Member
Apr 4, 2005
735
1
0
Sacramento
Oct 24, 2007
#4
  • Oct 24, 2007
  • #4
wow does that work for the third tail light on the trunk ..???
 

DTNODYA

Member
Dec 15, 2005
831
1
16
Oct 24, 2007
#5
  • Oct 24, 2007
  • #5
-=NightHawk=- said:
if you can find 2000/3000 grit it will make them look even better. 1500 leaves a bit of a "haze" when compared to a brand new unit
Click to expand...

What chu know about restorin' headlights?
 

RedDaemon

10 Year Member
Mar 31, 2005
3,470
9
108
Atlanta, GA
Oct 25, 2007
#6
  • Oct 25, 2007
  • #6
not as much as you

i was going to reference you but i wasnt sure if it WAS you or not who gave me all of the info on how to do it

DTNODYA = god

DTNODYA for SN Admin!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111111

Thread i made regarding hte 3rd brake light:
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=701921
 

DTNODYA

Member
Dec 15, 2005
831
1
16
Oct 25, 2007
#7
  • Oct 25, 2007
  • #7
-=NightHawk=- said:
not as much as you

i was going to reference you but i wasnt sure if it WAS you or not who gave me all of the info on how to do it

DTNODYA = god

DTNODYA for SN Admin!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111111

Thread i made regarding hte 3rd brake light:
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=701921
Click to expand...

I was just bustin ya chops. Did you end up using 2k or 3k grit on the taillight? I've never tried using that fine (tried 2000) but never tried 3000. I bet that would make them look perfect if you went through the stages to 3000. Prolly look perfect!
 

RedDaemon

10 Year Member
Mar 31, 2005
3,470
9
108
Atlanta, GA
Oct 25, 2007
#8
  • Oct 25, 2007
  • #8
i couldnt find any 3000 grit anywhere. there is one R/C Specialty shop that MIGHT have 3000 grit. If they dont have it ill have to go to whats called "A.C. Moore" thats basically the Walmart of arts and crafts. They might have it too but its a lot further away than this R/C place.

However im not at home right now so i cant check
 

DTNODYA

Member
Dec 15, 2005
831
1
16
Oct 25, 2007
#9
  • Oct 25, 2007
  • #9
-=NightHawk=- said:
i couldnt find any 3000 grit anywhere. there is one R/C Specialty shop that MIGHT have 3000 grit. If they dont have it ill have to go to whats called "A.C. Moore" thats basically the Walmart of arts and crafts. They might have it too but its a lot further away than this R/C place.

However im not at home right now so i cant check
Click to expand...

Another thing is (don't know if you recall) but when I told you about doing aluminum basically the same way, I feel sure that finishing with 3000 would make it look like a perfect mirror finish. I didn't know that A.C. Moore sold wet sanding paper ... I'll have to go by there. I'm sure an automotive paint store would have it but meh .. Random and probably useless info to you but it made me think about that. Another interesting thing I found is that FLITZ metal polish works really well with plexiglass. I recently made a few football display cases, out of acrylic and polycarbonate (lexan) and I had some FLITZ that I use on my stainless handguns. It said that it woks on plexiglass (and plastic I think) but I've never seen anything like how it worked on that plexi. Pretty amazing resuls... Another random FWIW....


For those wanting to refinish your headlights, it should be noted that you should NEVER USE WAX on them. Always use something like the thread-starter mentioned (plastic polish, mild abrasive rubbing compound followed by a polish, most polishes would work fine) .. Just don't use wax.
 
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