headlight restoration question
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From: Dallas TX
My Ride: 2012 535i M package
hey guys,
I was redoing one of my headlights and I was using grid 1500 and 2000- turtle wax plastic scratch remover and Plastx fine scratch remover..
I did my headlights before and no problem all the scratchs gone, this time I notice a couple of scratchs on one of my headlights and I was triying to get them off, but now I can get the headlight to be all clear, looks like dull can't get all the plastic to look clear .. should I start everything again 1500 and 2000 grit as I still have very fine scratchs any help please..
I was redoing one of my headlights and I was using grid 1500 and 2000- turtle wax plastic scratch remover and Plastx fine scratch remover..
I did my headlights before and no problem all the scratchs gone, this time I notice a couple of scratchs on one of my headlights and I was triying to get them off, but now I can get the headlight to be all clear, looks like dull can't get all the plastic to look clear .. should I start everything again 1500 and 2000 grit as I still have very fine scratchs any help please..
Guys, I have similar question. I had some scratches on my headlight, so I decided to polish it. I didn't do it myself, but went to a workshop. There they sanded the place, where the scratches were, not the entire headlight (I don't know which sandpaper they used) and then polished with some 3M stuff. Here is the result:


What can I do with it? I am really upset. Should I sand the entire headlight and then polish it? Thank you.


What can I do with it? I am really upset. Should I sand the entire headlight and then polish it? Thank you.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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My Ride: 2012 535i M package
Originally Posted by sir777' post='851798' date='Apr 19 2009, 01:12 PM
Guys, I have similar question. I had some scratches on my headlight, so I decided to polish it. I didn't do it myself, but went to a workshop. There they sanded the place, where the scratches were, not the entire headlight (I don't know which sandpaper they used) and then polished with some 3M stuff. Here is the result:


What can I do with it? I am really upset. Should I sand the entire headlight and then polish it? Thank you.


What can I do with it? I am really upset. Should I sand the entire headlight and then polish it? Thank you.
any help from the headlight pros..
One of the best tools I've ever bought has been a Porter Cable random orbital buffer and a bunch of Lake County pads. It makes it possible to recover from this type of problem, whether you're talking about paint or plastic.
On plastic headlight lenses, you can start with the medium pads and work down to the foam buffing pads to get the scratches out and leave them as-new. For polish, I use Plastx by Maguires for the final finishes.
You can also use this tool to apply wax to an E60 in about 15 minutes, then buff it off by hand.
If you go this route, just be sure to get the random orbital, since there's very little risk of burning through paint with this type, as opposed to a regular buffer.
Buffer: http://www.coastaltool.com/a/port/7424_car_buffer.htm
Pads: http://www.autogeek.net/lakecountry.html
Good luck!
On plastic headlight lenses, you can start with the medium pads and work down to the foam buffing pads to get the scratches out and leave them as-new. For polish, I use Plastx by Maguires for the final finishes.
You can also use this tool to apply wax to an E60 in about 15 minutes, then buff it off by hand.
If you go this route, just be sure to get the random orbital, since there's very little risk of burning through paint with this type, as opposed to a regular buffer.
Buffer: http://www.coastaltool.com/a/port/7424_car_buffer.htm
Pads: http://www.autogeek.net/lakecountry.html
Good luck!
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 554
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From: Dallas TX
My Ride: 2012 535i M package
I have a porter cable, problem is been solved, I just did a couple of times and lots of rubbing the turtle wax plastic and the Plastx, just using the porter and the pad adaptor on a microfiber for cleanning, now looks like new 
thanks for the advice

thanks for the advice
Originally Posted by cokeefe' post='852057' date='Apr 19 2009, 06:48 PM
One of the best tools I've ever bought has been a Porter Cable random orbital buffer and a bunch of Lake County pads. It makes it possible to recover from this type of problem, whether you're talking about paint or plastic.
On plastic headlight lenses, you can start with the medium pads and work down to the foam buffing pads to get the scratches out and leave them as-new. For polish, I use Plastx by Maguires for the final finishes.
You can also use this tool to apply wax to an E60 in about 15 minutes, then buff it off by hand.
If you go this route, just be sure to get the random orbital, since there's very little risk of burning through paint with this type, as opposed to a regular buffer.
Buffer: http://www.coastaltool.com/a/port/7424_car_buffer.htm
Pads: http://www.autogeek.net/lakecountry.html
Good luck!
On plastic headlight lenses, you can start with the medium pads and work down to the foam buffing pads to get the scratches out and leave them as-new. For polish, I use Plastx by Maguires for the final finishes.
You can also use this tool to apply wax to an E60 in about 15 minutes, then buff it off by hand.
If you go this route, just be sure to get the random orbital, since there's very little risk of burning through paint with this type, as opposed to a regular buffer.
Buffer: http://www.coastaltool.com/a/port/7424_car_buffer.htm
Pads: http://www.autogeek.net/lakecountry.html
Good luck!
Originally Posted by solrac6262' post='852133' date='Apr 20 2009, 04:14 AM
I have a porter cable, problem is been solved, I just did a couple of times and lots of rubbing the turtle wax plastic and the Plastx, just using the porter and the pad adaptor on a microfiber for cleanning, now looks like new 
thanks for the advice

thanks for the advice
Did you have to sand it again or just polished it with turtle wax plastic and PlastX? Do you think, that in my case (as on photos) I should do the same?
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From: Dallas TX
My Ride: 2012 535i M package
I polished a couple of times untill I got the clarity, buy your self a lamb pad from autozone for a regular drill.. to remove the plastx and the turtle wax, that worked for me
Originally Posted by sir777' post='852995' date='Apr 20 2009, 02:33 PM
I am glad you've solved it.
Did you have to sand it again or just polished it with turtle wax plastic and PlastX? Do you think, that in my case (as on photos) I should do the same?
Did you have to sand it again or just polished it with turtle wax plastic and PlastX? Do you think, that in my case (as on photos) I should do the same?
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