Polishing headlamps

[JohnD]

I have oxidation or tarnishing on the "glass" of my headlamps.

Polishing it off is slow and tedious. I bought a buffing wheel made of cotton disks stitched together, used in an electric drill with an arbour, it polishes by holding the edge against the plastic. It tends to throw the Polish off. Is there a better way?

 

[foxhole]

I have oxidation or tarnishing on the "glass" of my headlamps.

Polishing it off is slow and tedious. I bought a buffing wheel made of cotton disks stitched together, used in an electric drill with an arbour, it polishes by holding the edge against the plastic. It tends to throw the Polish off. Is there a better way?

What polish ? Let it dry before buffing .Plastic bath polish works well.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cramer-30200-S208-Acrylic-Cleaner/dp/B003BNIAMS/ref=asc_df_B003BNIAMS?mcid=3a916c5ba1663474bc81b5a32f21f049&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697226876379&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1136678069152591420&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046674&hvtargid=pla-422461574818&psc=1&gad_source=1

 

[Mottie]

I clean them by using a drop of T Cut on a damp cloth. A couple of minutes and they are done.

 

[JohnD]

It's Meguiars brand, marketed for headlamp polishing.

 

[Mottie]

Even toothpaste will do it at a push.

 

[norseman]

WD40 makes them look good .. until it rains !
You read of people using toothpaste, which is about as effective as the WD.

A semi-retired bodywork guy does mine & the effect lasts for around 2 years but I don't know what product he uses, only that a buffing wheel is part of the process.

 

[Avocet]

It's Meguiars brand, marketed for headlamp polishing.

I've used those kits before. You might be using a bit too much compound if it's going "everywhere", but some splattering of the surroundings is inevitable, I'm afraid. The buffing mop that came with my kit is more of a sort of "toweling" affair though, like the polishing bonnets you get for some car polishers.

 

[mattylad]

I used the mguires kit on my wifes old Micra years back, worked a treat however it does take time.
Lots of rubbing with water and different grit pads then the buffer pad in the drill and some T-Cut type stuff.

Looked like new when I'd finished, so just keep at it.

Tape a towel/rag around the lamp to catch any splatter.

 

[JohnD]

You used grit?

I've just got a polish, probably has fine particles in it, like a metal polish.

 

[thomp1983]

From memory the meguirs kit comes with the buffer for a drill, the polish and a small sanding pad with 2 different grits on it.

For the best results I tend to find it's worth an hour wet and drying them from 400 grit upwards to 1200 grit then polish, if it's for one of my cars then ill normally ask the local bodyshop to clear coat them too

 

[Avocet]

Coating is important. They're coated from the factory, but once the coating has failed and they go dull, they'll do so again, very quickly, without another UV resistant coating.

 

[JohnD]

From memory the meguirs kit comes with the buffer for a drill, the polish and a small sanding pad with 2 different grits on it.

I didn't get a kit

I've been looking at buffing sets

I think I need a rubber disc with arbour, and pads or bonnets to put on it.

I'm nervous of using wet and dry which will scratch the plastic.

 

[BQW]

I've have used toothpaste successfully, but the last one I did I used 2000 and 2500 grade wet and dry, much quicker.

 

[JohnD]

My various buffing kits have arrived.

I got the best results with the foam pads, which attach to the rubber backing disk with velcro.



It is much faster and easier than the cotton mops, and does not throw off drops of polish.

I find the results satisfactory.









The protective lacquer I can only find in aerosol cans, so I will have to mask the car very thoroughly and do it on a still day.

 

[Burnerman]

My universal polish - plastic or otherwise - is Solvol Autosol.
Plus this: https://www.toolstation.com/plastikote-quick-dry-clear-lacquer-spray-paint/p95217
John