MK5 Golf GTI

General => Detailing => Topic started by: WILL 1 AM on July 10, 2014, 01:53:31 pm

Title: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: WILL 1 AM on July 10, 2014, 01:53:31 pm: I'm gonna try and restore my headlights, got some fine sand paper but the grading on them reads P600 and P800.

If from looking at the guide, the grades looks to be around 2500 grit and onto 3000 grit.

But from looking and felling the wet n dry of the P600/800 it seems these are really fine and I'm confused as I can find 2500 - 3000 wet and dry at my local hardware store.

Are the grading different when there's a P at the start?
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: xjay1337 on July 10, 2014, 02:08:51 pm: The lower the number the more aggressive.... probably 2000 and then 25000 then 3500 then polish with machine.
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: lukemk5gti on July 10, 2014, 02:11:42 pm: I went at mine on the last car with a lower grit because I couldn't find 2000 and got impatient.

Big mistake.

Wait and order some 2500 online. Make sure you keep it wet the entire time too!

You could always buy a headlight restorer kit which would have the different grades of polish including the sandpaper.
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: WILL 1 AM on July 10, 2014, 02:31:36 pm: But from what I've seen/read, p600 is ultra fine, so is there such thing as P2500 and P3000?
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: lukemk5gti on July 10, 2014, 02:32:43 pm: 2500 & 3000 do exist! I have some at home.

Here is the first search on google

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wet-Dry-Sandpaper-Mixed-Grits/dp/B009QZSW7S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404999136&sr=8-1&keywords=2500+grit+sandpaper
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: xjay1337 on July 10, 2014, 02:54:35 pm: Quote from: WILL 1 AM on July 10, 2014, 02:31:36 pm
But from what I've seen/read, p600 is ultra fine, so is there such thing as P2500 and P3000?

I would suggest you do some additional research then if you feel that's the case! :confused: :signLOL:
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: stealthwolf on July 10, 2014, 03:53:53 pm: As above. You can get 2000 and 2500 in halfords. They feel more like sugar paper than sandpaper.
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: Veee-dubber on July 10, 2014, 05:43:23 pm: Buy a 3m kit
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: greygti on July 10, 2014, 08:14:32 pm: If your not sure about wet sanding, try and pick up an old panel from a scrap yard and practice on that, 2000 (with lots of soapy water) then 2500 (again soapy water) then check your sanding give it a good rinse down + dry then finally work your way up through the various compounds and pads
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: mk5Eire on July 10, 2014, 09:47:58 pm: I wet sanded my headlights the other day. Results were excellent removed all the scum and restored the crystal clear lens.

Started with 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000 and finished with 3000 and compound followed by polish and wax to protect from further UV damage. It is time consuming, dont rush it or you will have cloudy headlights.
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: xjay1337 on July 11, 2014, 09:06:00 am: You don't need to start with 800 grit, that's very aggressive, it's extra steps, start at about 2000 and work up (or down) from there as appropriate. :pomppomp:
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: edd666999 on July 11, 2014, 11:18:08 am: http://bit.ly/VSw4bf

"P", such as P2000, this indicates FEPA grit
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: mk5Eire on July 11, 2014, 11:43:17 am: Quote from: xjay1337 on July 11, 2014, 09:06:00 am
You don't need to start with 800 grit, that's very aggressive, it's extra steps, start at about 2000 and work up (or down) from there as appropriate. :pomppomp:

Your probably right jay but I've always started with 800 especially when the headlights are bad.

Might start a bit higher next time see if the results are the same

Sent from my iPhone that has issues.. Reception issues...
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: matt_the_mussel on July 11, 2014, 01:12:52 pm: It all depends on how bad they are....Did mine the other day after reading Bodger00's guide

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,26433.msg341751.html#msg341751

I started at 800 and went upto 2500 then a few rubs with meguiars plastX....

Before
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fn179%2Fmattmiciak%2Fb4_zps2b538341.jpg&hash=c7d38039702d99d32ed1e7ccc5446be37525be38)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fn179%2Fmattmiciak%2Fb4a_zpsbf1ffa99.jpg&hash=c5fb9c4dd8a8df003ffc89787cf4c59fcb33392d)

After 2500grit
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fn179%2Fmattmiciak%2Fduring_zps1dda5827.jpg&hash=9b7b237c0fc9246c5f9e6a3fcd64f8ca0ae59cca)

After about 4/5 applications of plastx
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fn179%2Fmattmiciak%2Fafter_zps59b0b8fe.jpg&hash=6b19bce12cff8e002614c83ea6b85e1cf8ab3b6f)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fn179%2Fmattmiciak%2Faftera_zpsa582bc47.jpg&hash=8edc031852dfa9b8471283a5950e02b1dc17c78f)

As you can see I was too lazy to remove the headlights, It would have been much easier to sand if I had!
I did it all by hand and spent about 1.5 hours per lamp. Its not perfect but I think its a lot better than it was!
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: WILL 1 AM on July 12, 2014, 12:34:12 am: Sweet

I'll go find some higher grit from elsewhere.

Cheers for the replies, most helpful
:happy2:
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: galaxie500 on July 12, 2014, 10:06:38 am: Just to add my tuppence worth, I find it easier with the lamps still on the car - need to mask off/protect the metal work surrounding first but a slippery, wet headlamp hitting the deck is definitely not good!
Take your time, soak your various grades of papers in a bucket for at least 10 minutes before use, go through all the grades of wet n' dry, keep the lamp wet by squirting with a hand sprayer (if you haven't got one, empty out and thoroughly clean a Flash bathroom spray or similar from under the sink - the wife will never know!) and don't worry - the totally hazed lamp WILL become clear eventually!

Good luck!
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: swgti on July 15, 2014, 07:04:25 am: I used the 3M kit, it was brilliant and the results were great and easy to use. I'm about to use it for the 2nd time as the Passat headlights need a bit of attention now so good value for money too.
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: sub39h on July 17, 2014, 03:19:24 pm: Audi headlights don't seem to yellow like the VW ones do so I've never had the need to sand my headlights, but has anyone ever tried toothpaste? I'm guessing you want whitening toothpaste for the abrasive particles in it. The video below looks like the guy has smartened his headlights up in 2 minutes flat. I'm not sure how genuine the video is but I've heard toothpaste is very good for cleaning headlights
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: xjay1337 on July 17, 2014, 05:42:51 pm: Quote from: sub39h
I'm not sure how genuine the video is but I've heard toothpaste is very good for cleaning headlights

No it's not!!!!!!
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: mk5Eire on July 17, 2014, 06:21:51 pm: Quote from: xjay1337 on July 17, 2014, 05:42:51 pm
Quote from: sub39h
I'm not sure how genuine the video is but I've heard toothpaste is very good for cleaning headlights

No it's not!!!!!!

Yeah lol I've heard this before too, waste of time

Sent from my iPhone that has issues.. Reception issues...
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: matt_the_mussel on July 17, 2014, 08:38:08 pm: Quote from: sub39h on July 17, 2014, 03:19:24 pm
I'm not sure how genuine the video is but I've heard toothpaste is very good for cleaning headlights

I tried it, can't say it worked....did leave them minty fresh though.... :grin:
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: cuprajake on July 17, 2014, 10:00:16 pm: I'd be starting at 1500/2000 those hitting lights with 800 are just causing work.
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: sub39h on July 17, 2014, 10:18:48 pm: Quote from: xjay1337 on July 17, 2014, 05:42:51 pm
Quote from: sub39h
I'm not sure how genuine the video is but I've heard toothpaste is very good for cleaning headlights

No it's not!!!!!!

Useful to know, but seems odd to me that the myth is so prevalent. Oh well, you live and learn!
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: mk5Eire on July 17, 2014, 10:54:42 pm: Quote from: sub39h on July 17, 2014, 10:18:48 pm
Quote from: xjay1337 on July 17, 2014, 05:42:51 pm
Quote from: sub39h
I'm not sure how genuine the video is but I've heard toothpaste is very good for cleaning headlights

No it's not!!!!!!

Useful to know, but seems odd to me that the myth is so prevalent. Oh well, you live and learn!

Think it's prevalent because it seemed the clean them up a bit but in a sense of covering up the scum rather than removing it totally

Sent from my iPhone that has issues.. Reception issues...
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: julian_ramos on July 20, 2014, 05:26:20 pm: I would be far to scared to go near my lights with sandpaper lol but what a difference! Well done!
Title: Re: Wet and dry sandpaper grading
Post by: james eddie on July 21, 2014, 10:24:05 pm: I would personally start on P1000 and work up through the grades but it all depends on the appearance of the headlights, bodger00's post might be a useful guide http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,26433.0.html. In terms of retails, your either looking at Halfords, ebay or Amazon. Any way, good luck.