Jetta Plastic Headlight Restoration

[VR4Rob]

These suckers were really bad, almost a safety hazard because they blocked so much light.

Before:






Teh gross:


Masking off the surrounding areas:


Let the wet sanding begin:


Machine light cut/polish:


Finer grit wet sanding:


More cutting/polishing, starting to get there:


A few more polishes, more wet sanding, and M21 synthetic sealant:


Side by side comparo:


Passenger side done:


Happy Jetta can see again:


Some more pics in better light:

[moffman93']

wow nice job.

[VR4Dani]

wow

[BleedScarlet]

nice work!
What a difference it makes on the car!!!

[Terry]

I'm assuming you used a rotary for that? Have to wet sand them at all?

I had an avenger than was worse than that once...ended up having to sand it with 800 and move up until I could buff the scratches out. Ended up looking just like new.

[VR4Rob]

Used combination of wet sanding, starting at 800 grit and moving up, and an orbital buffer with light cut and polishing pads.

[Terry]

What do you use for compound/polish?

[VR4Rob]

[quote=""Terry""]What do you use for compound/polish?[/quote]

Soapy (Ajax) water for wet sanding, 3M rubbing compound, Meguiar's professional machine glaze (M#9 I think, I forget), Meguiar's PlastX plastic polish, and Meguiar's professional synthetic sealant (M21.) A little of this and a little of that you might say

[Terry]

Never heard of mixing Ajax with the wet sanding water...I usually soak the paper in water then spray the area with some quick detailer. I like 3M and Meguiars polishes/compounds...I'm actually looking to step up to something a little higher grade...preferably something that doesn't dust as bad as the meguiars compounds.

[Jeff V.]

Isn't it funny how something little like that can make the whole car look new again?

[EricVR4]

Damn, nice job Rob!