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Polishing my headlights



 
 
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  #1  
Old November 27th 20, 03:53 PM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 39
Default Polishing my headlights

3 weeks ago I polished my headlight lenses.

They came out great.

I had replaced a bulb and noticed again how cloudy they were, 2005 car.

It took about 2 hours but would have taken less if my back didn't hurt
and I had to sit down over and over, and if then I didn't start
listening to the radio on the day that the presidential election was
called. So maybe an hour.

Instructions said to wash the lenses.

Also to mask the painted part around the lenses. I had 3 rolls of
masking tape, the youngest 25 years old. I checked in advance and the
first roll worked fine, stuck fine, came off fine, but on the day I did
this, I couldn't tear off an 10" piece without it ripping at 4 inches.
I didn't test for that. But the 3rd roll worked.

Use Surface Activator, from the second kit, near the bottom.

Then for this kit, 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System, 39008
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
it said: One kit may not be enough. Ugh, now they tell me.

I chose this kit because it didnt' expect me to do the sanding by hand.

For the first sanding, it came with 6 ~3" disks that stuck easily on the
arbor they included. I thought putting disks on and off was hard,
involved a screw. Has something changed in the last 35 years?????

I figured that meant 3 disks per headlight but after the left side, the
disk seemed fine so I did the right side. It didnt' seem bad after the
right side ei4ther. Finished the first step and had 5 disks left. Maybe
I'm not doing it right.

For the second sanding, it came with 2 ~3" disks. But it took only one,
so maybe I'm not doing it right. But even before the third step, the
plastic looked clear

The third step was a liquid rubbing compound that went on a foam rubber
thing that also went on the drill.

Then go on to the fourth step.**

Read all the instructions for any product you buy because some I've left
out, like not keeping the drill in the same place so long you melt the
lens. Especially if you're going to try to use two kits together.
The sanding instructions keep saying that if you do more in this step,
you won't have to do so much in the next, but I went over each area 2 or
3 times with a spinning drill and that was all. Maybe mine were not
that bad, even though they looked it.

**This one comes either with sand paper etc also; and also comes with
only this liquid that's supposed to protect for UV. The first kit and
some other had nothing that claimed to do that. This product actually
has a first step Surface Activator, that I did before using the other
product above, and then the instructions recognize that you may buy
another product for the sanding, and ends with a third step to apply the
anti-uv. It ssays iirc to apply more every 3 months but there is no way
I'm going to do that.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Plenty of rubbing compound left over and plenty of anti-UV liquid also.


Finally took it out for a drive 4AM yesterday. I didn't see much
difference, couldn't say for sure there was any, but i"m sure the light
had been diffused before meaning less where it's supposed to be and some
in eyes of the oncoming driver. I'm sure it was worth it for the light
and it looks great.

$13.14 for the first thing and the second thing has become unavailable,
at least on Amazon, but I paid $9.99

You can still get https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00429NKWK/ref=dp_prsubs_1
for $20. It's the same as the one that's unavailable but the extra $10
pays for polish clothes, vinyl gloves (whoopdedo), and 3 kinds of
sandpaper but not stuff that will fit on a drill.

To get the $10 kit somewhere else, the Sylvania website only suggest
Amazon!

Advance has it but only for buying at the store. No shipping for some
reaon.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...oat/10719345-P

But I'm sure this isn't the only anti-UV stuff and I have no reason to
think this one is better than the others. Maybe none of them work.
Maybe they only made the instruction complicated to make me think it
works? (I didn't look at reviews because one would need years to judge
this stuff.)

Ebay has it too, but for 19 or 19.48 and for 50 cents or a dollar more
you can get the bigger kit.
https://www.ebay.com/i/373298430551?...RoCuNkQAvD_BwE
Ads
  #2  
Old November 27th 20, 06:05 PM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 39
Default Polishing my headlights

In alt.home.repair, on Fri, 27 Nov 2020 09:53:59 -0500, micky
> wrote:

>
>Advance has it but only for buying at the store. No shipping for some
>reaon.
>https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...oat/10719345-P


It seems there are advance autoparts in 47 states and the Virgin
Islands.

Over 4000 branches. but not alaska, hawaii, or california.
  #3  
Old November 28th 20, 01:05 AM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair
Hank Rogers[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 12
Default Polishing my headlights

Steve W. wrote:
> micky wrote:
>> 3 weeks ago I polished my headlight lenses.
>> They came out great.
>> I had replaced a bulb and noticed again how cloudy they were,
>> 2005 car.
>> It took about 2 hours but would have taken less if my back didn't
>> hurt
>> and I had to sit down over and over, and if then I didn't start
>> listening to the radio on the day that the presidential election was
>> called.* So maybe an hour.
>> Instructions said to wash the lenses.
>> Also to mask the painted part around the lenses.** I had 3 rolls of
>> masking tape, the youngest 25 years old.* I checked in advance
>> and the
>> first roll worked fine, stuck fine, came off fine, but on the day
>> I did
>> this, I couldn't tear off an 10" piece without it ripping at 4
>> inches.
>> I didn't test for that.* But the 3rd roll worked.

>
> For "dead" masking tape here is a trick, put it in a microwave for
> 10-20 seconds depending on roll size. It will make it like new again.
>
>>
>> Use Surface Activator, from the second kit, near the bottom.
>> Then for this kit, 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System, 39008
>> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
>>
>> it said: One kit may not be enough.* Ugh, now they tell me.
>> I chose this kit because it didnt' expect me to do the sanding by
>> hand.
>> For the first sanding, it came with 6 ~3" disks that stuck easily
>> on the
>> arbor they included. I thought putting disks on and off was hard,
>> involved a screw.* Has something changed in the last 35 years?????
>>
>> I figured that meant 3 disks per headlight but after the left
>> side, the
>> disk seemed fine so I did the right side.* It didnt' seem bad
>> after the
>> right side ei4ther. Finished the first step and had 5 disks
>> left.* Maybe
>> I'm not doing it right.
>> For the second sanding, it came with 2 ~3" disks.* But it took
>> only one,
>> so maybe I'm not doing it right.* But even before the third step,
>> the
>> plastic looked clear
>>
>> The third step was a liquid rubbing compound that went on a foam
>> rubber
>> thing that also went on the drill.
>> Then go on to the fourth step.**
>>
>> Read all the instructions for any product you buy because some
>> I've left
>> out, like not keeping the drill in the same place so long you
>> melt the
>> lens.** Especially if you're going to try to use two kits together.
>> The sanding instructions keep saying that if you do more in this
>> step,
>> you won't have to do so much in the next, but I went over each
>> area 2 or
>> 3 times with a spinning drill and that was all.* Maybe mine were not
>> that bad, even though they looked it.
>> **This one comes either with sand paper etc also; and also comes
>> with
>> only this liquid that's supposed to protect for UV.* The first
>> kit and
>> some other had nothing that claimed to do that.** This product
>> actually
>> has a first step Surface Activator, that I did before using the
>> other
>> product above, and then the instructions recognize that you may buy
>> another product for the sanding, and ends with a third step to
>> apply the
>> anti-uv. It ssays iirc to apply more every 3 months but there is
>> no way
>> I'm going to do that.
>> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
>>
>>
>> Plenty of rubbing compound left over and plenty of anti-UV liquid
>> also.
>>
>>
>> Finally took it out for a drive 4AM yesterday.** I didn't see much
>> difference, couldn't say for sure there was any, but i"m sure the
>> light
>> had been diffused before meaning less where it's supposed to be
>> and some
>> in eyes of the oncoming driver. I'm sure it was worth it for the
>> light
>> and it looks great.
>> $13.14 for the first thing and the second thing has become
>> unavailable,
>> at least on Amazon, but I paid $9.99
>> You can still get
>> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00429NKWK/ref=dp_prsubs_1
>> for $20.* It's the same as the one that's unavailable but the
>> extra $10
>> pays for polish clothes, vinyl gloves (whoopdedo), and 3 kinds of
>> sandpaper but not stuff that will fit on a drill.
>> To get the $10 kit somewhere else, the Sylvania website only suggest
>> Amazon!
>>
>> Advance has it but only for buying at the store.* No shipping for
>> some
>> reaon.
>> https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...oat/10719345-P
>>
>>
>> But I'm sure this isn't the only anti-UV stuff and I have no
>> reason to
>> think this one is better than the others.** Maybe none of them
>> work. Maybe they only made the instruction complicated to make me
>> think it
>> works?* (I didn't look at reviews because one would need years to
>> judge
>> this stuff.)

>
> I have used the 3M kit but as you noted most of the kit's come with
> nothing for UV. To really make them last the best solution is to
> sand the old crud off in steps, then polish the light up, clean it
> very well and spray it with an automotive clear top coat to seal it
> and keep the UV from damaging it any more. You can buy that in
> spray cans now with an activator in the bottom. You pop the bottom
> button and shake the crap out of it, then let it set for however
> long they say, that lets the two parts start to blend well and then
> you apply it in thin coats.
>


Remember when we had sealed beam headlights? Plain, cheap Glass.

You could buy replacements at any store, even Kmart or later walmart.

Now, we **** around with cheap plastic covered expensive stuff.






  #4  
Old November 28th 20, 03:37 AM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair
The Real Bev[_5_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 570
Default Polishing my headlights

On 11/27/2020 04:05 PM, Hank Rogers wrote:

> Remember when we had sealed beam headlights? Plain, cheap Glass.
>
> You could buy replacements at any store, even Kmart or later walmart.
>
> Now, we **** around with cheap plastic covered expensive stuff.


And bumpers were made of chromed steel and were made to BUMP! Now they
have a protective plastic sheath that needs to be replaced. It's made
of black plastic, so if your car is white the scuff shows REALLY well.

They're not designed for US any more...

--
Cheers, Bev
"The last thing you want is for somebody to commit suicide
before executing them."
-Gary Deland, former Utah director for corrections
  #5  
Old November 28th 20, 07:13 AM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 39
Default Polishing my headlights

In alt.home.repair, on Fri, 27 Nov 2020 18:05:44 -0600, Hank Rogers
> wrote:

>Steve W. wrote:
>> micky wrote:
>>> 3 weeks ago I polished my headlight lenses.
>>> They came out great.
>>> I had replaced a bulb and noticed again how cloudy they were,
>>> 2005 car.
>>> It took about 2 hours but would have taken less if my back didn't
>>> hurt
>>> and I had to sit down over and over, and if then I didn't start
>>> listening to the radio on the day that the presidential election was
>>> called.* So maybe an hour.
>>> Instructions said to wash the lenses.
>>> Also to mask the painted part around the lenses.** I had 3 rolls of
>>> masking tape, the youngest 25 years old.* I checked in advance
>>> and the
>>> first roll worked fine, stuck fine, came off fine, but on the day
>>> I did
>>> this, I couldn't tear off an 10" piece without it ripping at 4
>>> inches.
>>> I didn't test for that.* But the 3rd roll worked.

>>
>> For "dead" masking tape here is a trick, put it in a microwave for
>> 10-20 seconds depending on roll size. It will make it like new again.


Good to know. BTW, I didn't buy more than one of those rolls. Maybe
note even 1.
>>
>>>

>>
>> I have used the 3M kit but as you noted most of the kit's come with
>> nothing for UV. To really make them last the best solution is to
>> sand the old crud off in steps, then polish the light up, clean it
>> very well and spray it with an automotive clear top coat to seal it
>> and keep the UV from damaging it any more. You can buy that in
>> spray cans now with an activator in the bottom. You pop the bottom
>> button and shake the crap out of it, then let it set for however
>> long they say, that lets the two parts start to blend well and then
>> you apply it in thin coats.
>>

>
>Remember when we had sealed beam headlights? Plain, cheap Glass.


And they never burned out. Though I decided to get fancy and I
replaced them once with halogen, and those did burn out.

>You could buy replacements at any store, even Kmart or later walmart.
>
>Now, we **** around with cheap plastic covered expensive stuff.
>
>
>
>
>


  #6  
Old November 28th 20, 01:18 PM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair
Vic Smith
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 953
Default Polishing my headlights

On Sat, 28 Nov 2020 01:13:08 -0500, micky > wrote:

>In alt.home.repair, on Fri, 27 Nov 2020 18:05:44 -0600, Hank Rogers


>>Remember when we had sealed beam headlights? Plain, cheap Glass.

>
>And they never burned out. Though I decided to get fancy and I
>replaced them once with halogen, and those did burn out.
>


Your memory of sealed beams is different than mine. Besides replacing a few on my own
cars, I saw many "one-eyed" cars on the road. That's a rare sight nowadays.
  #7  
Old November 28th 20, 03:53 PM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 39
Default Polishing my headlights

In alt.home.repair, on Sat, 28 Nov 2020 06:18:47 -0600, Vic Smith
> wrote:

>On Sat, 28 Nov 2020 01:13:08 -0500, micky > wrote:
>
>>In alt.home.repair, on Fri, 27 Nov 2020 18:05:44 -0600, Hank Rogers

>
>>>Remember when we had sealed beam headlights? Plain, cheap Glass.

>>
>>And they never burned out. Though I decided to get fancy and I
>>replaced them once with halogen, and those did burn out.
>>

>
>Your memory of sealed beams is different than mine.


Well maybe I didn't drive as much as I could have.

> Besides replacing a few on my own
>cars, I saw many "one-eyed" cars on the road. That's a rare sight nowadays.


But I drive less now than I did then, and I was one-eyed twice in the
last two years. Occasionally when I'm facing something reflective, a
store window, certain cars, I test my headlights but I don't know how
long they had been out. There are enough street lights here that
unless I go to the next town at night, I can't tell by how well I can
see.

Also one fog light burned out. Will the police stop you for that? I
guess, if allowed, it would make a good excuse and they like to stop
people.
  #8  
Old November 28th 20, 10:13 PM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair
Steve W.[_6_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,161
Default Polishing my headlights

micky wrote:
> In alt.home.repair, on Sat, 28 Nov 2020 06:18:47 -0600, Vic Smith
> > wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 28 Nov 2020 01:13:08 -0500, micky > wrote:
>>
>>> In alt.home.repair, on Fri, 27 Nov 2020 18:05:44 -0600, Hank Rogers
>>>> Remember when we had sealed beam headlights? Plain, cheap Glass.
>>> And they never burned out. Though I decided to get fancy and I
>>> replaced them once with halogen, and those did burn out.
>>>

>> Your memory of sealed beams is different than mine.

>
> Well maybe I didn't drive as much as I could have.



>
>> Besides replacing a few on my own
>> cars, I saw many "one-eyed" cars on the road. That's a rare sight nowadays.

>
> But I drive less now than I did then, and I was one-eyed twice in the
> last two years. Occasionally when I'm facing something reflective, a
> store window, certain cars, I test my headlights but I don't know how
> long they had been out. There are enough street lights here that
> unless I go to the next town at night, I can't tell by how well I can
> see.


The trade off with modern lighting is that to get brighter lighting with
the smaller reflectors used they run the bulbs at a higher voltage than
they used to. So an older sealed beam may have been tagged as a 12 volt.
but the filament was set up to run at 14 or higher. So the sealed beams
tended to last a while, unless they were the cheap ones and in poor
mountings.

>
> Also one fog light burned out. Will the police stop you for that? I
> guess, if allowed, it would make a good excuse and they like to stop
> people.


Nope, fog lights are not required lighting. They can stop you for
headlights, tail brake (although technically the laws state you need two
rear facing brake lights so if the CHMSL is working they cannot give you
a ticket for one out UNLESS it is also the turn lamp) And these days for
not having them on in the rain.

--
Steve W.
  #9  
Old November 29th 20, 02:05 AM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair
rbowman
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 159
Default Polishing my headlights

On 11/28/2020 02:13 PM, Steve W. wrote:
> micky wrote:
>> In alt.home.repair, on Sat, 28 Nov 2020 06:18:47 -0600, Vic Smith
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> On Sat, 28 Nov 2020 01:13:08 -0500, micky >
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> In alt.home.repair, on Fri, 27 Nov 2020 18:05:44 -0600, Hank Rogers
>>>>> Remember when we had sealed beam headlights? Plain, cheap Glass.
>>>> And they never burned out. Though I decided to get fancy and I
>>>> replaced them once with halogen, and those did burn out.
>>> Your memory of sealed beams is different than mine.

>>
>> Well maybe I didn't drive as much as I could have.

>
>
>>
>>> Besides replacing a few on my own
>>> cars, I saw many "one-eyed" cars on the road. That's a rare sight
>>> nowadays.

>>
>> But I drive less now than I did then, and I was one-eyed twice in the
>> last two years. Occasionally when I'm facing something reflective, a
>> store window, certain cars, I test my headlights but I don't know how
>> long they had been out. There are enough street lights here that
>> unless I go to the next town at night, I can't tell by how well I can
>> see.

>
> The trade off with modern lighting is that to get brighter lighting with
> the smaller reflectors used they run the bulbs at a higher voltage than
> they used to. So an older sealed beam may have been tagged as a 12 volt.
> but the filament was set up to run at 14 or higher. So the sealed beams
> tended to last a while, unless they were the cheap ones and in poor
> mountings.
>
>>
>> Also one fog light burned out. Will the police stop you for that? I
>> guess, if allowed, it would make a good excuse and they like to stop
>> people.

>
> Nope, fog lights are not required lighting. They can stop you for
> headlights, tail brake (although technically the laws state you need two
> rear facing brake lights so if the CHMSL is working they cannot give you
> a ticket for one out UNLESS it is also the turn lamp) And these days for
> not having them on in the rain.
>


A different situation: I'd bought an old Dodge pickup where someone with
big truck envy had installed clearance lights on the cab. According to
New Hampshire law while they certainly weren't required if they were
there they had to work.


  #10  
Old November 29th 20, 02:49 AM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair
Hank Rogers[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 12
Default Polishing my headlights

rbowman wrote:
> On 11/28/2020 02:13 PM, Steve W. wrote:
>> micky wrote:
>>> In alt.home.repair, on Sat, 28 Nov 2020 06:18:47 -0600, Vic Smith
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Sat, 28 Nov 2020 01:13:08 -0500, micky >
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> In alt.home.repair, on Fri, 27 Nov 2020 18:05:44 -0600, Hank
>>>>> Rogers
>>>>>> Remember when we had sealed beam headlights? Plain, cheap Glass.
>>>>> And they never burned out.*** Though I decided to get fancy and I
>>>>> replaced them once with halogen, and those did burn out.
>>>> Your memory of sealed beams is different than mine.
>>>
>>> Well maybe I didn't drive as much as I could have.

>>
>>
>>>
>>>> Besides replacing a few on my own
>>>> cars, I saw many "one-eyed" cars on the road.* That's a rare sight
>>>> nowadays.
>>>
>>> But I drive less now than I did then, and I was one-eyed twice
>>> in the
>>> last two years.*** Occasionally when I'm facing something
>>> reflective, a
>>> store window, certain cars, I test my headlights but I don't
>>> know how
>>> long they had been out.** There are enough street lights here that
>>> unless I go to the next town at night, I can't tell by how well
>>> I can
>>> see.

>>
>> The trade off with modern lighting is that to get brighter
>> lighting with
>> the smaller reflectors used they run the bulbs at a higher
>> voltage than
>> they used to. So an older sealed beam may have been tagged as a
>> 12 volt.
>> but the filament was set up to run at 14 or higher. So the sealed
>> beams
>> tended to last a while, unless they were the cheap ones and in poor
>> mountings.
>>
>>>
>>> Also one fog light burned out. Will the police stop you for
>>> that?* I
>>> guess, if allowed, it would make a good excuse and they like to
>>> stop
>>> people.

>>
>> Nope, fog lights are not required lighting. They can stop you for
>> headlights, tail brake (although technically the laws state you
>> need two
>> rear facing brake lights so if the CHMSL is working they cannot
>> give you
>> a ticket for one out UNLESS it is also the turn lamp) And these
>> days for
>> not having them on in the rain.
>>

>
> A different situation: I'd bought an old Dodge pickup where someone
> with big truck envy had installed clearance lights on the cab.
> According to New Hampshire law while they certainly weren't
> required if they were there they had to work.
>
>


So, remove them. Caulk the holes with RTV silicon.


 




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