headlight restoration tips and advice..

[toab]

The dvelup company might be a possibility but I am just wondering if there are others without franchise costs.

[harrellbenjamin]

IPS wont sell to you unless you have bought their system. Do you use an interface pad with the DA? Is it a true DA or just an orbital sander? Can you give the model # of this DA? any info would be great as the sanding is the longest, hardest part of the job. I do it just by hand, and spend about 1hr for a pair. I know others that do it without a sealer but the lenses do discolour again in a few months. Have your dealers been happy with the results?

Yes, I use a 6" 3m interface pad.Tape off the lens border area with painters tape.I start with 500grit then final sand with 1500 grit.Finish up with my buffer and a 3m perfectit pad with #3000 perfectit compound.Looks like Glass!!!!Go to Walmart and get a Skill 5" orbital sander.$39.95 and use the 6" interface pad on the 5" sander.Great for contours and real fast.The longest time on the job will be spent taping off the lens.Dealers love it !!I tried the hand sanding/wetsanding and this method blows that way away.

[harrellbenjamin]

The dvelup company might be a possibility but I am just wondering if there are others without franchise costs.

Look on Rightlook.com web site.I am going to try their sealer /shine restorer

[mrchip]

jonnyques..i use 3m hookit wet dry sanding discs..i start at 320,400,600,800,1200, and use 1500,2000 by hand..i will buy interface soon....you wont get swirl marks if you sand at a lower speed and wont burn plastic..and toab try nanotech usa in virginia (johny) for a topcoat that will last a long time

[harrellbenjamin]

No need for all those steps.Use your 600 than go to 1500 and final buff with perfectit 3000 compound.No burn/ no swirl /no scratchs just a great finish.The interface works wonders.No need to wet sand just makes a mess.If you final buff with the 3m compound you will be amazed at the ease and results..Thanks for the top coat tip.

[harrellbenjamin]

jonnyques..i use 3m hookit wet dry sanding discs..i start at 320,400,600,800,1200, and use 1500,2000 by hand..i will buy interface soon....you wont get swirl marks if you sand at a lower speed and wont burn plastic..and toab try nanotech usa in virginia (johny) for a topcoat that will last a long time

Can you hook us up with the info on Nanotech USA???

[sunshine wr]

http://www.nanotec-usa.com/index.htm http://www.nanotec.com.au/ Check-out the products for plastic if you're going to do headlamps with it. There is some info here search nanotec.

[jonnyques]

MrChip what are you using to buff that has a low speed? Any electric orbital sander Ive seen has just one speed. Are you using an air D/A? Are you sanding dry or wet?

[mrchip]

johnyques....look at post #37 in this thread and i wet sand..today i bought an interface pad and cant wait to see if it makes a differance..just found out tonight that i have to go to a trucking firm monday to buff a freightliner set of lights..hope this turns out to be a good stop :eusa_clap

[harrellbenjamin]

http://www.nanotec-usa.com/index.htm http://www.nanotec.com.au/ Check-out the products for plastic if you're going to do headlamps with it. There is some info here search nanotec.

Just looked at the US website.They list a 100ml bottle for $90.00
(about 3.4 oz) polycarbonate "plexiglass".Seems kind of pricey.How do you apply and approximately how many lens sets will it treat??Do you use it and how does it hold up.Thanks,