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Author Topic: Headlight restoration by hand?  (Read 7798 times)

Offline stomper

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Headlight restoration by hand?
« on: April 10, 2017, 10:25:25 pm »
One of the first jobs on my GTI will be to fresh up the headlights

Seen plenty of threads on here about doing them with a machine polisher

Would i be wasting my time trying to do it all by hand?

Was thinking of working through the wet and dry grades (upto 3 or 5000) then using something like meguiars ultimate compound on a microfibre cloth to bring back the shine

I understand that it will take longer but i don't really want to get one of the drilled kits or a machine polisher just yet

Thoughts would be appreciated

Offline lukemk5gti

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Re: Headlight restoration by hand?
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2017, 08:41:45 am »
I commented on your other post saying to use a DAS-6.

Sandpaper from 2000, 3000 and 4000 grit should do the hard work.

Hand polishing will be fine, not as effective but fine.

Don't forget to seal using UV protection afterwards.

Offline stomper

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Re: Headlight restoration by hand?
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2017, 09:21:51 am »
Cheers bud, i think i'll give it a go by hand first, longer term plans will be to get a machine polisher so can always give them a going over then.  :happy2:

Offline Lewo

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Re: Headlight restoration by hand?
« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2017, 09:53:00 pm »

Offline Kezma

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Re: Headlight restoration by hand?
« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2017, 01:37:33 am »
Halfords do sell a Meguairs headlight restoration kit which comes with a mop head drill accessory thing which is a bit better than by hand.

dansmith180

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Re: Headlight restoration by hand?
« Reply #5 on: April 17, 2017, 06:54:21 pm »
Hand polishing won't be fine, you aren't getting paper marks out with a foam pad and some elbow grease, you will probably end up with matte headlights that don't work properly until you machine them.

Offline Joeymc

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Re: Headlight restoration by hand?
« Reply #6 on: May 11, 2020, 09:10:00 pm »
2500 grit sandpaper then 3500 wer sand by hand. Small microfibre polishing pad for your drill/screwgun with medium to soft compound until the lights are clear then whatever protector you choose. Take your time and you should be ok.

Offline titchy

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Re: Headlight restoration by hand?
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2020, 02:05:30 pm »
I used baking soda and lemon juice by hand with really good reults

Offline bobby_fodge

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Re: Headlight restoration by hand?
« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2020, 05:04:17 pm »
I did it by hand and then used two different polishing compounds to bring the shine back.

Offline probedb

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Re: Headlight restoration by hand?
« Reply #9 on: May 16, 2020, 10:23:03 am »
Honestly depends how bad they are. Mine were awful so went really low on the grit number and slowly went up to 2000. Then finished off with a headlight polishing kit. I used a drill with polishing attachment and it's worked really well. Just make sure you finish them off with the UV sealant. It's likely to keep happening over time and I've once had to do a quick once over with the polishing kit again but never had to sandpaper again.

Offline HannahClark

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Re: Headlight restoration by hand?
« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2021, 11:38:44 pm »
One of the first jobs on my GTI will be to fresh up the headlights

Seen plenty of threads on here about doing them with a machine polisher

Would i be wasting my time trying to do it all by hand?

Was thinking of working through the wet and dry grades (upto 3 or 5000) then using something like meguiars ultimate compound on a microfibre cloth to bring back the shine

I understand that it will take longer but i don't really want to get one of the drilled kits or a machine polisher just yet

Thoughts would be appreciated
Not a bad idea. I have spent a lot of time finding good original headlights for my GTI. It was very difficult to find something really worthy, and ordering was very expensive for me. I decided to try redesigning and improving my old headlights myself. I have a powerful bike flashlight that shines great in the dark and is comfortable to use I decided to disassemble it in order to understand what kind of bulbs are used there and according to this technology to improve car headlights. I've been looking for advice on the forums for several days now. Maybe some of you can give me some advice?
« Last Edit: January 25, 2021, 03:42:33 pm by HannahClark »