URGENT!!! How to restore headlights, when the corner is too tight to fit?

[EvolutionDetail]

Alright guys, I need some URGENT suggestion here.

I am currently working on a BMW 650i headlight, however the contour of the headlight by the corner, is really small and it goes inward towards the grill. Which is impossible for me to sand that corner area with my GG 3"

So how do you sand the headlight when in a situation such as this one??

PS: Other than removing the bumper lol.

[rolop6]

Sand by hand

[aim4squirrels]

Agreed, grab up the variety pack of 3M wet/dry papers from a parts store. Sand wet. I'd finish to at least 3000 grit to make the polishing job easier. You can use a red block type school eraser to evenly distribute the weight from your fingers over the sand paper if necessary.

Tape off all the trim and paint around where you are working. Don't be a tight wad with the tape either, tape well past the work area. Removing a little tape residue is much easier than trying to correct plastic trim or an accidental paint burn through.

[hernandez.art13]

Question: if you are having are hard time sanding them with your Griots 3". When you do sand them as mentioned above, or depending how small the area is. (You could even just use the end of an eraser tip)

How are you planning on buffing the areas out? doing all by hand in the small areas could work, but could be tedious.

Sorry having a hard time picturing what your specifically talking about without pictures.

Either way good luck and keep us updated :)

[HD.Detailing]

Sand by hand

+1

Sent from my Alien Ship

[EvolutionDetail]

I guess sand by hand is what i would have to do.
I will try that tomorrow morning and report back.

Hernandez u point out a excellent question, i was wondering the same thing.
Even if i am able to sand by hand at that small corner.
I still need to polish it to remove the sanding haze.
And i am NOT sure if polish by hand using a MF towel is good enough to remove that haze.

Honestly i think these type of luxury cars, require headlight or bumper removal to do a CORRECT job on.

[rolop6]

I never polish headlights. If you sand correctly at the 3000grit mark you should not see scratch marks. Depending on the coating you use that will fill light marks.
However polishing with a MF towel and a little polish should work, your not working with a very big area. Push come to show take off the bumper.

[hernandez.art13]

Well it is possible, you would just have to shrink down your work area, seems by a lot and up to you if you think it would be worth it. I would probably take the challenge to learn something new. :D

I have never done this, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Aside from cutting your sanding papers or disks to fit the tight areas. You could even cut your cutting and polishing pads to fit the tighter areas too. The mf towels can get the job done, but with a lot of muscle. Even up to 3000 from my experience.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2314/medium/model_toys.jpg

[EvolutionDetail]

I typically use 500 / 800 / 1000 / 3000

So i guess i won't use too rough to start with.

[hernandez.art13]

I can get more precise if you tell me the year, but for now here you go. Pick one :D

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2314/medium/bmw_headlihgts.JPG

[EvolutionDetail]

It is a 2006 650i

It looks like the pic on the bottom row , the 4th pic
Countng from left to right =)

[hernandez.art13]

Like this?

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2314/bmw_2006.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/73808)

[EvolutionDetail]

Yup thats the one

[hernandez.art13]

what are you planning on sealing them with after correcting them?

[EvolutionDetail]

Opti Lens