Headlight Restoration

04.5dieseldan · 02-28-2008, 06:47 PM

Since this is a detail forum. headlight restoration is a must know how. couple different methods on doing it but i use this one... tape off the surrounding panels so you don't scuff them later. popping the hood usually helps also. once everthing is taped, wet sand them with 2000 or 1500 grit depending on how bad they are. then you use a high speed buffer with 1500 grit compound to bring them back. once you see the results you are looking for put a paint sealat wax or clear coat over them. this process takes about an hour but the results are worth it.

Robertb6963 · 02-28-2008, 07:56 PM

Good to know. Thanks 04.5dieseldan!!

Has anybody tried the Powerball? Would that even work?

__________________
-SOLD- 2000 Dodge 3500 DRW Quad Cab 4x4 @167k miles, 5 speed, patriot blue, Ranch-hand front/back, lift with BFG M/T, straight 4" pipe w/ 5" chrome tip, cracked block/head. I hate the 53 Block!!!

SmokinDiesel · 02-28-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertb6963

Good to know. Thanks 04.5dieseldan!!

Has anybody tried the Powerball? Would that even work?

The powerball is a great tool, but not for this type of application.

Wolfgang makes a fantasic kit for headlight restoration. I give that kit a big

-Mike

__________________
Mike Charlton - Keystone Diesel
1996 Dodge Cummins 12 Valve
580hp - 1178 ft lbs
Still Shooting for 600+ ....

ang012 · 02-29-2008, 05:39 PM

I used a kit that had 1000, 1500, 2000, and 2500 wet sand paper. You start out by soaking the sand paper and with the 1000 grit wet sand paper and sand in one direction. Then go to the 1500 wet sand paper in a different direction, then on until you finish with the2500. Then clean with rubbing compound and then a good coat of wax. Mine look like new.

scott 6.7L cummins · 09-07-2008, 06:01 PM

what kind of clear coat should i use? and where can i buy a kit?

__________________
2006 2500 5.9 4x4 Laramie Mega Cab, Custom 5" TBE w/ 4" duals & 6" tips, Airaid Intake, Quadzilla X2 w/ Commander, 2-10" Pioneer Subs, Line-X Bed-liner & B&W Gooseneck & 5th wheel

Robertb6963 · 09-08-2008, 05:19 AM

I think Wal-Mart is doing this for $20 now. But I wouldn't trust em to do it on anything I own.

__________________
-SOLD- 2000 Dodge 3500 DRW Quad Cab 4x4 @167k miles, 5 speed, patriot blue, Ranch-hand front/back, lift with BFG M/T, straight 4" pipe w/ 5" chrome tip, cracked block/head. I hate the 53 Block!!!

peterc06ram · 09-10-2008, 10:32 PM

I tried the powerball on an old Ford Taurus with excellent results. I first applied a heavy coat of wheel polish to the headlight and the Mothers powerballl polish to the powerball. I kinda used a medium speed on the drill, light pressure, and make sure that you are always moving to prevent swirling.

__________________
'06 Ram 2500 4x4 SLT, G56, 6" Superlift w/bilsteins and dual stabilizers, 35x12.5 Pro Comp Extreme A/T on 17" Pro Comp wheels, Thuren track bar, Smarty, Commader, Line-X, silencer ring gone, AFE dry filter, muffler del, all Amsoil and by-pass .

**Cepp** · 09-12-2008, 04:50 AM

i did the 3m kit that i got at autozone on my wifes 300m. nice kit, did very well. and about a hr to do both.

__________________
'04.5 Ram 2500, H.O., Laramie, Quad Cab, 6' Bed
Silencer and the guts from the torque tube are missing.....and what happened to my muffler?

"The Chick(en) Hauler"

02-28-2008, 06:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
04.5dieseldan Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: tampa, fl Posts: 15 04.5dieseldan's Truck Pics	Headlight Restoration Since this is a detail forum. headlight restoration is a must know how. couple different methods on doing it but i use this one... tape off the surrounding panels so you don't scuff them later. popping the hood usually helps also. once everthing is taped, wet sand them with 2000 or 1500 grit depending on how bad they are. then you use a high speed buffer with 1500 grit compound to bring them back. once you see the results you are looking for put a paint sealat wax or clear coat over them. this process takes about an hour but the results are worth it.

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02-28-2008, 07:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Robertb6963 Diesel Freak Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 742 Robertb6963's Truck Pics	Good to know. Thanks 04.5dieseldan!! Has anybody tried the Powerball? Would that even work? __________________ -SOLD- 2000 Dodge 3500 DRW Quad Cab 4x4 @167k miles, 5 speed, patriot blue, Ranch-hand front/back, lift with BFG M/T, straight 4" pipe w/ 5" chrome tip, cracked block/head. I hate the 53 Block!!!

02-29-2008, 05:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
ang012 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: BOONSBORO, MD Posts: 15 ang012's Truck Pics	I used a kit that had 1000, 1500, 2000, and 2500 wet sand paper. You start out by soaking the sand paper and with the 1000 grit wet sand paper and sand in one direction. Then go to the 1500 wet sand paper in a different direction, then on until you finish with the2500. Then clean with rubbing compound and then a good coat of wax. Mine look like new.

09-07-2008, 06:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
scott 6.7L cummins Cummins Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mansfield TX Posts: 109 scott 6.7L cummins's Truck Pics	what kind of clear coat should i use? and where can i buy a kit? __________________ 2006 2500 5.9 4x4 Laramie Mega Cab, Custom 5" TBE w/ 4" duals & 6" tips, Airaid Intake, Quadzilla X2 w/ Commander, 2-10" Pioneer Subs, Line-X Bed-liner & B&W Gooseneck & 5th wheel

09-08-2008, 05:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
Robertb6963 Diesel Freak Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 742 Robertb6963's Truck Pics	I think Wal-Mart is doing this for $20 now. But I wouldn't trust em to do it on anything I own. __________________ -SOLD- 2000 Dodge 3500 DRW Quad Cab 4x4 @167k miles, 5 speed, patriot blue, Ranch-hand front/back, lift with BFG M/T, straight 4" pipe w/ 5" chrome tip, cracked block/head. I hate the 53 Block!!!

09-10-2008, 10:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
peterc06ram Cummins Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oxford, CT Posts: 183 peterc06ram's Truck Pics	I tried the powerball on an old Ford Taurus with excellent results. I first applied a heavy coat of wheel polish to the headlight and the Mothers powerballl polish to the powerball. I kinda used a medium speed on the drill, light pressure, and make sure that you are always moving to prevent swirling. __________________ '06 Ram 2500 4x4 SLT, G56, 6" Superlift w/bilsteins and dual stabilizers, 35x12.5 Pro Comp Extreme A/T on 17" Pro Comp wheels, Thuren track bar, Smarty, Commader, Line-X, silencer ring gone, AFE dry filter, muffler del, all Amsoil and by-pass .

09-12-2008, 04:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
Cepp Ohio Chapter president Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 836 Cepp's Truck Pics	i did the 3m kit that i got at autozone on my wifes 300m. nice kit, did very well. and about a hr to do both. __________________ '04.5 Ram 2500, H.O., Laramie, Quad Cab, 6' Bed Silencer and the guts from the torque tube are missing.....and what happened to my muffler? "The Chick(en) Hauler"