Can my headlights be repaired?

[YZF-Ford]

I had someone put a new master cylinder in my car, and he must have dripped brake fluid or cleaner or something on my headlights. Will it be possible to sand and polish this out, or am I going to have to hunt for some NOS lights?

 

[cobrakidd03]

ewwwwwwwww not to sound stupid but it looks like some bodily fluids.. I would think depending on what that is you could always try to buff out the head lights maybe???

 

[walser]

headlights

3M makes a headlight restore kit its a 4 or 5 step process of sanding and buffing the lights i did it to my 94mtx and they were nasty yellow and faded now there clear.. i was very impressed. im not sure how much they retail for, my parents work for 3M and we got it through the company store for $14 .. but it looks like it would take that off, as long as it aint to far into the lense.

 

[JRA2000TL]

Since that stuff is only on the surface, surely there has to be something to get rid of it. My headlights on the 90 are the original, aged 19 years and cracked/discolored deeply within the plastic. Their only hope is replacement, which I plan on doing. AM Auto Parts has a set for around $140 shipped (cheapest I've found).

I'd think since something just dripped on them that any kind of sanding/buffing and re-polishing would would take care of that; it's only surface damage.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

Sounds to me like that mechanic owes you a new pair of headlights. Unless it was a friend who did it for you, then you might want to just fix them.

 

[1982X11]

I don't know what is available to you, but this is what would likely do the trick. Start with 1000 grit sandpaper and wet sand the light. DO NOT wear a weddign ring or any ring-it will streak your light. 1000 should nuke your contamination, if not use 800. Switch to 1200, then 1500 as you remove your problem and want to smoothe the lens.
(If for some reason this does not sand out, you can try reducer, but reducer will eat the plastic of some lights!.
if the light is still ruined, no biggie, but only as a last resort.) After 1500, use a wax remover/paint prep (prep all 5.00 at Autozone works) and then an adhesive promnoter. (About 8.00 at Finishmaster). Now apply a light clearcoat, then flash and apply a med/heavy clearcoat. This process will last 7+ years if done in the aforementioned steps. If you have an air compressor and a spray gun, or know someone who does, this should save your light.

 

[icemaneric]

That should sand right out. You will have to sand a good amount of material though. I would suggest starting with 600 or 800 grit paper, then move up in grits until you reach 1500 or finer, then polish your lens with any rubbing compound. The bad thing about polishing the leans is that, the lens itself has no protection from the UV rays, and will yellow out over time requiring more polishing time. The best thing to do is spray some clear over the repaired surface. They did come with a clear coat when new.


Here is what I did, on the lights for Project 195.
I started of with a 600 grit, then 800. After the 800 I sprayed two coats of Sikkens automotive clear. I still need to do a light wet sand to remove any imperfections. This method should last a few years.





Notice I removed those 3 pesky alignment tabs, for that cleaner look!

 

[SHOtime2511]

how deep are the marks? if its just a surface thing then sanding and polishing should work. id start with 400 and work your way up to 2000 grit. finally hit it with some good rubbing compound.

 

[1bad98SHO]

I used Light duty rubbing compound on my Gen 3 and a good high speed buffer. Spent about 3 minutes per light and they look brand new.

 

[Roady94]

- For a more comprehensive set of instructions, this sticky is hard to beat.

 

[YZF-Ford]

If sanding them will remove the UV coating, I think I'd rather buy new lights. Is there any place that reproduces them?