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Thread: questions about wetsanding lights

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    Default questions about wetsanding lights

    i have a question. so my headlights are getting that dull ass look to em and they need wetsanding. ive never done wet sanding before but i have 2000 grit wet sand paper for cars. i want to do it tomorow before i go to work. but how long does it take and what is the process/ steps to doing this? and info and answers to this ill give reps for and your help is grealty appriciated.
    99 tahoe, build in progress

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    ia "racist" dallasb84's Avatar
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    you need a high speed polisher.......


    thats the easiest way


    dunk paper in a bucket o water and start sanding till they nice and shiney wet. then polish the sanding scratches

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    Quote Originally Posted by dallasb84 View Post
    you need a high speed polisher.......


    thats the easiest way


    dunk paper in a bucket o water and start sanding till they nice and shiney wet. then polish the sanding scratches

    by polish you mean wax right? so im going to notice when they dont have the dull look on them when im wet sanding them right>?
    99 tahoe, build in progress

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    ia "racist" dallasb84's Avatar
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    polish is different then wax..... polish is an abrasive.... wax is not.

    dont wax your lights.

    wetsand them..... then apply a small amount of car polish (compound) to the polisher and go to town on those lights.....


    use masking tape on any area the polisher might come in contact with a painted surface.

    when you wet sand them..... they will get shiney......the water will get milky when your sanding them. this is normal. after a bit and some fresh water. they will bling........ then be dull when they are dry....


    you could.... clear coat them at this point.... or polish them.

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    still searching! Hondatwin23's Avatar
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    if your doing 2000 grit by hand then you will take a long time
    at work i use a DA with 400,600,1000 then i use trizac(3000grit) then a compound

    comes out like money from ashy to classy.
    Its not something you want to rush
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    still searching! Hondatwin23's Avatar
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    also when wetsanding just use even strokes and keep area slightly wet til you see the area start turning milky white
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    1997 w/1999 civic w/ Built GSR...FS/FT

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    Something Else Kevykev's Avatar
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    Please read the other thread created regarding polishing, there's way too much info in that thread to make another one. There are actually 2 within this forum.

    One is on the first page too.

    Leisa and S. 4 Life NM?

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    I can fix them for you.. 2000 won't do much, I use 400/800/1500 and cut/polish. I work in Dallas

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    Make sure you tape up your hood/fender/bumper with masking tape prior to sanding your lights to make sure you dont scratch the paint!!

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    Quote Originally Posted by green91 View Post
    Make sure you tape up your hood/fender/bumper with masking tape prior to sanding your lights to make sure you dont scratch the paint!!

    i dont do any of that nonsense....i take my headlights off the car so i dont risk anything at all.
    99 tahoe, build in progress

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    Something Else Kevykev's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by imprtguy_94 View Post
    i dont do any of that nonsense....i take my headlights off the car so i dont risk anything at all.
    That will take away your ability to apply proper pressure while buffing. lol

    unless you get a friend to hold it.

    Leisa and S. 4 Life NM?

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    Mountain man green91's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by imprtguy_94 View Post
    i dont do any of that nonsense....i take my headlights off the car so i dont risk anything at all.
    Wait... so you started a thread asking how to do something, and now you're telling me to do it? Interesting!!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Kevykev View Post
    That will take away your ability to apply proper pressure while buffing. lol

    unless you get a friend to hold it.
    and get his hand ripped off lol
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    I take off all the yellowed clear with a razor blade, and then sand it all with 1k DA and then to to 1200,1500,3000 da. And then with a small polisher it looks like a new headlight. but it is not for the unskilled of faint of heart this way.
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    if you fall get back on 95droppedhatch's Avatar
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    just let kevykev do it he is cheap and does a good job and since he needs the money since he decide to go and get married tell your wife i said whatsup and i need to get over there and see your new place one of these days

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    just get one of those 3m kits from your local auto part store. It is $20, a little bit more expensive than other kits, but I always trust 3M stuff. It comes with sand papers in 3 different grits, a sponge, and polishing compound. You will need a drill for this application.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Kevykev View Post
    That will take away your ability to apply proper pressure while buffing. lol

    unless you get a friend to hold it.

    thats what i done did do lol
    99 tahoe, build in progress

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    Quote Originally Posted by jcbe34 View Post
    I can fix them for you.. 2000 won't do much, I use 400/800/1500 and cut/polish. I work in Dallas

    they turned out just fine, they look way better now, so do the tails
    99 tahoe, build in progress

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    Quote Originally Posted by imprtguy_94 View Post



    they turned out just fine, they look way better now, so do the tails
    got pics wanna see if its done good

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    Quote Originally Posted by SRK420a View Post
    got pics wanna see if its done good

    i gotcha pics when this weather clears up, and i can re wash and wax her again
    99 tahoe, build in progress

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    Quote Originally Posted by green91 View Post
    Wait... so you started a thread asking how to do something, and now you're telling me to do it? Interesting!!
    L to the Oh EL!


    Quote Originally Posted by SPOOLIN View Post
    and get his hand ripped off lol
    bahahahaaa

    Quote Originally Posted by 95droppedhatch View Post
    just let kevykev do it he is cheap and does a good job and since he needs the money since he decide to go and get married tell your wife i said whatsup and i need to get over there and see your new place one of these days
    Hahahhahaaaa, yeah man paying mortgages suck maine.

    Quote Originally Posted by imprtguy_94 View Post
    thats what i done did do lol
    the fked he just say... lol

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    These things always come in handy if you ever want to polish anything small like a headlight or taillight. They work as both a Sander and polisher.

    That is if you have the extra money to invest in something like this. Highly recommend them, and you can pick a decent one up for like 60 bucks.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails -mini-dual-action-sander2-jpg  
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    You should have hit me up I just did Emminos headlights and you can use 1000 and 2500 and you will be fine. Check out the pics in gecko squad, they really dont do any justice, but you can get the pack from walmart for 15 bucks, has everything you need and it has lifetime warranty and it only takes 45-to an hr.
    BTW ALL BY HAND!!!!!!!!



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    wetsand and then clearcoat them

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    Quote Originally Posted by SoLJames95 View Post
    You should have hit me up I just did Emminos headlights and you can use 1000 and 2500 and you will be fine. Check out the pics in gecko squad, they really dont do any justice, but you can get the pack from walmart for 15 bucks, has everything you need and it has lifetime warranty and it only takes 45-to an hr.
    BTW ALL BY HAND!!!!!!!!

    yea i noticed he needed it lol. but i did most by hand other than the polishing, ever since i keep them up to date and cleaned with the plastix stuff from meguiars
    99 tahoe, build in progress

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    I'm going to pick up the 3M kit and give it a go.

    BUY IT NOW

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    ^works like a charm... used my dad's sample kit on my s2k (he works for 3m ohsd) only recommendation i'd give is to clean out the inside of the headlight first (preferably by separating the lens from the housing to clean the inside of it all) because as I did this on mine, it built up static on the interior and has drawn lint and even a bug that was already stuck in my headlight to be stuck against the front part of the lense where its now somewhat visible =T.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Verik View Post
    ^works like a charm... used my dad's sample kit on my s2k (he works for 3m ohsd) only recommendation i'd give is to clean out the inside of the headlight first (preferably by separating the lens from the housing to clean the inside of it all) because as I did this on mine, it built up static on the interior and has drawn lint and even a bug that was already stuck in my headlight to be stuck against the front part of the lense where its now somewhat visible =T.

    I would never separate my lense for dust or a bug. AIR HOSE that shit homie! lol. I had to get shit out of one once like that. it works
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    Quote Originally Posted by S.Brewer View Post
    I would never separate my lense for dust or a bug. AIR HOSE that shit homie! lol. I had to get shit out of one once like that. it works

    weird, we have the same last name. lol
    99 tahoe, build in progress

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    Quote Originally Posted by imprtguy_94 View Post
    i gotcha pics when this weather clears up, and i can re wash and wax her again

    Where the pic's @???

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    600 grit then 1500 grit. use a rotary buffer with 3m ultra cut and it will be perfect.. guaranteed. if you feel like it go up to 2000 or 2500, not necessary though


    i use this method with wheel polishing as well

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    what about clear coat? what would be good to use?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Purple Power View Post
    600 grit then 1500 grit. use a rotary buffer with 3m ultra cut and it will be perfect.. guaranteed. if you feel like it go up to 2000 or 2500, not necessary though


    i use this method with wheel polishing as well
    It would leave less room for error if you went from 600 to 1000 to 1500. 1500 might not get all of 600 scratches out.


    Quote Originally Posted by Stancil1216 View Post
    what about clear coat? what would be good to use?
    You don't need clear coat if you use the right product and do a good job. Clearcoat re-creates the problem (It will pit and diminish over time).

    Leisa and S. 4 Life NM?

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    You guys are making this sound awfully complicated. I have always just topped off my reservoir with some DOT4 headlight fluid . . . . .
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    Senior Member Patterson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stuntman G View Post
    You guys are making this sound awfully complicated. I have always just topped off my reservoir with some DOT4 headlight fluid . . . . .

    synthetic clear i hope

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