Clear Headlights! *Big Pic Warning*

**walter_da_jpr** · 03-10-2006, 04:35 PM

After drooling over several newer WJ's like Arlos, I noticed how horrible my pitted light housings were. Then I was inspired by this post and took it on for myself.

http://jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=239104&highlight=grit+2000

It was simple to do. I did not wet sand but used 1000 to grind down pits, then 2000 to soften it up, and then used 4 coats of Plastix.

It came out great.

Tips:

Try to get the majority of the scratches out with the 1000 grit snadpaper. Don't be afriad to sand the hell out of it. It will only take more time going little by little.

It's going to look really cloudy, almost like you ruined it. Do not stop. Sand the hell out of it.

Wet sanding may be safer, keeping the dust down, but dry sanding allowed me to see the remaining pits. (they were filled with light dust.)

Remember that it is much easier to do alot of work with the sand paper than spending 4 hours polishing with plastix.

SUPPLIES:

OLD PICS:
(Lights on)

Wicked Shiny (Pics don't show as much clarity as I thought they would, there even better than this in real life)

**ArloGuthroJeep** · 03-10-2006, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walter_da_jpr

After drooling over several newer WJ's like Arlos

Looks a lot better like that

**PlatinumZJ** · 03-10-2006, 04:39 PM

That looks great.

**walter_da_jpr** · 03-10-2006, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArloGuthroJeep

Looks a lot better like that

I am jealous of your color and overall appearance, but now at least I can say, I too have shiny lights.

**Varkyl** · 03-10-2006, 04:40 PM

very nicely done!

did you use a power buffer or just elbow grease?

grandCherokee06 · 03-10-2006, 04:46 PM

Where did you get the 200 grit and plastx ? I havnt found 2000 grit yet. It was hard enough trying to find 1000.

**walter_da_jpr** · 03-10-2006, 04:47 PM

Good old fashion elbow grease.

**walter_da_jpr** · 03-10-2006, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandCherokee06

Where did you get the 200 grit and plastx ? I havnt found 2000 grit yet. It was hard enough trying to find 1000.

It took me a while too. Your best bet is an auto parts store like Auto Zone. 1000 and 2000 grit isn't used for much other than cars.

grandCherokee06 · 03-11-2006, 02:45 PM

Well I found some 2000 grit today. I also picked up a different bottle of wax. I got some of the Meguiars PlastX like Walter_da_jpr got. I used the exact same things. Heres a before and after picture.

*Note: It looks alot better in person*

BEFORE:
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/8263/167xd.jpg

AFTER:
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/827/picture0020qr.jpg
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/1497/picture0037kh.jpg

**walter_da_jpr** · 03-11-2006, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandCherokee06

Well I found some 2000 grit today. I also picked up a different bottle of wax. I got some of the Meguiars PlastX like Walter_da_jpr got. I used the exact same things. Heres a before and after picture.

*Note: It looks alot better in person*

BEFORE:
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/8263/167xd.jpg

AFTER:
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/827/picture0020qr.jpg
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/1497/picture0037kh.jpg

UGH those were gross.

They look great now

**PlatinumZJ** · 03-11-2006, 10:12 PM

here you go

Headlights before

and after

94XJMadness · 01-15-2007, 05:10 PM

Awesome job Dubya, too bad you now have one new head light and the one old one. stupid expedition driving foriegners

turk · 01-15-2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandCherokee06

Where did you get the 200 grit and plastx ? I havnt found 2000 grit yet. It was hard enough trying to find 1000.

You guys really want 2000 grit sandpaper? How about 12000!!! I deal with acrylic a lot and there is only one real good kit I would recommend and if you want, you can get up to 12000 grit. It is more like leather. Anyway, the product is called micro-mesh. Do a search on google and you should find it. Just thought I would chime in with that. Sorry not exactly on topic. here is the link to one source. Happy polishing!!

http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/conversion.htm

Turk

gunthagunth · 01-15-2007, 07:13 PM

Nice old thread BTT

Redbob · 01-15-2007, 11:51 PM

Yeah, good thread!
I might add that wet sanding keeps the sandpaper from clogging.

Also that all the really good grades of sandpaper are found at your automotive paint supply place, like DuPont for instance.
I might start with something more like 400 or 60 for deep pits, and work up to avoid spending huge amounts of time on the job.
I've used the same technique on the plastic windows in a Wrangler soft top.

03-10-2006, 04:40 PM	#5
Varkyl No where near stock Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glendale, Az Posts: 1,924 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	very nicely done! did you use a power buffer or just elbow grease? __________________ Nathan One slightly modified '96 ZJ new sig coming soon

03-10-2006, 04:46 PM	#6
grandCherokee06 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 220 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Where did you get the 200 grit and plastx ? I havnt found 2000 grit yet. It was hard enough trying to find 1000. __________________ [COLOR="Red"] [ l_,{____}, [---L –[/COLOR]0[COLOR="Silver"]lllllll[/COLOR]0[COLOR="Red"]-[/COLOR] ()_) ()_)--[COLOR="Red"]o[/COLOR]-)_) [B][I][U]1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee[/U][/I][/B] [B][I][U]5.2L ~ V8[/U][/I][/B]

03-11-2006, 02:45 PM	#9
grandCherokee06 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 220 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Well I found some 2000 grit today. I also picked up a different bottle of wax. I got some of the Meguiars PlastX like Walter_da_jpr got. I used the exact same things. Heres a before and after picture. Note: It looks alot better in person BEFORE: http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/8263/167xd.jpg AFTER: http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/827/picture0020qr.jpg http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/1497/picture0037kh.jpg __________________ [COLOR="Red"] [ l_,{____}, [---L –[/COLOR]0[COLOR="Silver"]lllllll[/COLOR]0[COLOR="Red"]-[/COLOR] ()_) ()_)--[COLOR="Red"]o[/COLOR]-)_) [B][I][U]1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee[/U][/I][/B] [B][I][U]5.2L ~ V8[/U][/I][/B]