Headlight restorations & feedback, please

**AllanS** · 11-08-2016, 02:28 AM

I did a few headlamp restorations & wanted some thoughts of feedback from some well experienced headlight restoration folks. Here are 2 sets I recently did. Wet sand (400 up to 2000 sheets then to Mirka set) followed by (GG 3") with LC blue foam & Meg's UC followed by LC orange & Meg's UP. IPA wipe down & treated with OL.

Has anyone used the LC purple wool / foam pads? They are supposed cut well AND finish well, too! I was hoping to reduce steps & time, but still same net result of about 95% (or so).

I am looking at going beyond the "friends & family" route & doing a few days of HLR. Your thoughts & feedback (Constructive criticism) greatly appreciated!

- Allan
a couple of examples....

Headlight restorations & feedback, please-img_3432-jpg

Headlight restorations & feedback, please-img_3447-jpg

Headlight restorations & feedback, please-img_3433-jpg

Headlight restorations & feedback, please-img_3449-jpg

Headlight restorations & feedback, please-img_3487-jpg

Headlight restorations & feedback, please-img_3531-jpg

Headlight restorations & feedback, please-img_3492-jpg

Headlight restorations & feedback, please-img_3534-jpg

**dcjredline** · 11-08-2016, 02:55 AM

You can get results within those with just an orange pad and the McKee's headlight restoring polish. No sanding. They look AWESOME man! Dont get me wrong.

**Setec Astronomy** · 11-08-2016, 05:44 AM

Those look great--how many sanding steps did you do? All by hand or some by machine?

**TTQ B4U** · 11-08-2016, 06:48 AM

They look good. I started my real drive and interest in detailing 1-2 and now upwards of 3 vehicles per week on the side by showing off some simple headlight restores. My son helped out and we canvased our friends and neighbors and then word spread. I charge $50 per pair - $75 if I go to them and can knock them out pretty quickly. I agree that in many cases they can be done without sanding but for me its a huge time saving step to simply hit them with some 1500 and/or 3000 then polishing them back and sealing them up.

**AllanS** · 11-08-2016, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by dcjredline

You can get results within those with just an orange pad and the McKee's headlight restoring polish. No sanding. They look AWESOME man! Dont get me wrong.

Thanks for the compliment, @ dcjredline!

I saw several great reviews of McKee's polish, but some of the lights i did were pretty BAD! Like completely frosted. Not sure if it would do those.

Also wanted some feedback on the Lake Country Foamed Wool 3.5 inch Buffing/Polishing Pad and how those 2 would pair up. If what "marketing"implies, it would be awesome. Often, real world differs from marketing dept, though!

Thanks again.

**coles_paint_correction** · 11-08-2016, 12:44 PM

They awesome man, I normally can get away with 1500,3k compound polish. With out seeing in person it's hard to tell. I'd just keep doing what ur doing and see if u can get away with less steps. Keep up the work!

**AllanS** · 11-08-2016, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

Those look great--how many sanding steps did you do? All by hand or some by machine?

Setec - Thanks for the compliments. I was really happy (& customer / friend) with the job as well! For these really nasty ones (silver Rav 4), I probably used 400, 800, 1200, 1500, 2000(???) - wet, by hand - either with / w/o body sanding block. Then wet sanded w/ GG 3" & Mirka thru the rest of the kit (3k & 4k??) Then to the LC Blue w/ Megs Ult Comp & LC Orange w/ Megs Ult Polish. So, waaaaaay too many steps & time!

I was going to try DRY sanding for better cutting action on the earlier steps.

**Setec Astronomy** · 11-08-2016, 04:50 PM

Holy cow, 7 sanding steps, and 2 polish? If you have to start at 400, I'd then go to 800 (dry), then switch to wet/damp for 1000, 3000, 5000. You should be able to finish from the 5000 with just polish. So that's 6 instead of 9 steps...not sure how much that helps.

**AllanS** · 11-08-2016, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

Holy cow, 7 sanding steps, and 2 polish? If you have to start at 400, I'd then go to 800 (dry), then switch to wet/damp for 1000, 3000, 5000. You should be able to finish from the 5000 with just polish. So that's 6 instead of 9 steps...not sure how much that helps.

I KNOW! Waaaay too many steps - that 1 of the big reasons for my posting.

I have used wet - not dry or damp sanding. That probably had too much lube for the sanding process - reducing cutting ability. Will def use LESS water!

TY again!

**AllanS** · 11-08-2016, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by pdqgp

They look good. I started my real drive and interest in detailing 1-2 and now upwards of 3 vehicles per week on the side by showing off some simple headlight restores. My son helped out and we canvased our friends and neighbors and then word spread. I charge $50 per pair - $75 if I go to them and can knock them out pretty quickly. I agree that in many cases they can be done without sanding but for me its a huge time saving step to simply hit them with some 1500 and/or 3000 then polishing them back and sealing them up.

@pdqgp - Thx for your feedback. Sounds like you really did a grassroots effort to grow the biz! It's pretty cool that you have a "built-in" assistant!

My apprehension is about 1500 being aggressive enough

TY again,
- Allan