Cleaning up your lights.

Mako

Mako

Club Member
Feb 6, 2011
15,250
14,358
Milton Keynes
I've always thought my Frosty is pretty tidy, but Ford Fair the other week showed me the truth; my headlights were a yellow plastic mess. I've been that close to buying new ones but the idea of replacing something I don't have to doesn't sit well.

Today I decided to go for broke.

I used 480-grit wet-and-dry, wet and soused with washing-up liquid. Then I used Halfords own "Intensive glass cutter", (yes - I know they're plastic!) going slowly and in tiny circles. I followed up with Mer polish, then Megiuars glass cleaner to remove any residue. I then coated it all with Meguiars Instant Spray Wax.

I'm not finished yet - I think they can be better - and will go at them with some 2000-grit (assuming I can find any) and smoker's toothpolish. But here's where I am now;

MakoNearsideHeadlightPolished-1.jpg


I suppose many people here have done this before, but if you haven't, taking glasspaper to your lights isn't anywhere near as scary as you might think if you just take it slowly, use some care, and finish it off right.
 
Finish it of with a good quality car wax as that layer you have just removed is the UV protective film manufactures apply to stop the plastic oxidising. A good wax will give it some protection.
 
Looking good Mako ! I use Mer on my lights but I have not gone for the wet-and-dry treatment yet. Just the Mer makes a difference.
Eventually I can see them being done though.
 
RichK said:
Finish it of with a good quality car wax as that layer you have just removed is the UV protective film manufactures apply to stop the plastic oxidising. A good wax will give it some protection.
Click to expand...

I used Meguiars (which I trust on the body) but if you can suggest something else I'm open to suggestion, Rich!


kittylover said:
Looking good Mako ! I use Mer on my lights but I have not gone for the wet-and-dry treatment yet. Just the Mer makes a difference.
Eventually I can see them being done though.
Click to expand...

Thank you muchly. I've not seen yours in person, but mine just tipped over needing doing. Night and day, as they say.

spjmorris said:
Halfords do packs of 2000, used it for exactly this

Started on the os one yet?
Click to expand...

Thank you - I figured they would. I only did this, (and tested a small area first) because I thought I'd see what happened as I've never needed to do it before. Will definitely take it to the next level though!

Offside done to that standard as well, but I didn't take a pic as the light was failing.
 
Many thanks for all the suggestions!

One thing that I was going to try was Future floor wax. I used to use it quite a bit when building models, as it fills in any microscopic scratches left after sanding/polishing plastic canopies/windscreens/etc and it's a UV-protectant.

Once I've got myself some 2000/3000 grit, I'll give it a go and let you know the results.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.