|
|
|
A job I've been putting off for some time now is the refurb of the headlight and rear lenses on my Mini R50, it's a common problem, they go milky and as they aren't great as it is this only makes the matter worse. So getting to the point of my post, what would you consider is the best way to tackle them, I know you can buy kits to restore them but they seem expensive for what they are and I'd need more than one to do the job, as we approach winter and I'm travelling more in the dark I'd like to get this sorted, Lockdown 2.0 is allowing me the time. Thanks all in advance Rich.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A job I've been putting off for some time now is the refurb of the headlight and rear lenses on my Mini R50, it's a common problem, they go milky and as they aren't great as it is this only makes the matter worse. So getting to the point of my post, what would you consider is the best way to tackle them, I know you can buy kits to restore them but they seem expensive for what they are and I'd need more than one to do the job, as we approach winter and I'm travelling more in the dark I'd like to get this sorted, Lockdown 2.0 is allowing me the time. Thanks all in advance Rich. I used a bit of cloth and some buffing compound by hand. But a quick buff with a machine, and some clear once done, should see it last according to those who know. The first time I did this the change was massive. This time it was less noticeable, but still worth noting. Before After
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mate does mine, water g3 and a da.
|
|
Bicycle x1 Alfa Giulietta (now wife's) Alfa 156 BMW 630i Honda rc36
|
|
|
|
|
Found the original clean up. Before: So halfway through light no 1 One done, one waiting. Both done. Transformation Testing Passenger side “blue light” is dead, so needs replacing. But this just shows that a small investment of time and effort can deliver big results.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I start with 1000 and then 1500 grit wet&dry with plenty of soapy water to remove the grot. Buff by hand with G3 or similar compound, then G10, and finish with whatever polish I'm using on the car. If you don't already have rubbing compounds, then buying a headlight restoration kit might be worthwhile. Keeping the lamps clean and polished is the key to the job lasting for years. Just remembered I've some photos of a batch of Omega lamps I did while ago They're easier to do on the car, but masking the paint around them is a sensible precaution
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Edit: Nov 8, 2020 11:29:31 GMT by joem83
|
|
cjj
Part of things
Posts: 275
|
|
|
If you want to have to do it every time you wash the car, maybe. It's no different to using a non-abrasive polish to "fix" scratches, except less durable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
i use cutting compound on a mob g3, tcut and ive found brasso liquid works well on plastics also on really bad lights ive wet flatted them first
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Flat with really fine w&d, da & compound, then apply wax or sealant. They will go a bit milky again but once you've done it properly once, a quick doing with the compound by hand will bring them up a treat.
|
|
Jaguar S-Type 3.0 SE
|
|
|
MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
|
Headlight restorationMiataMark
@garra
Club Retro Rides Member 29
|
|
I use Autoglym cutting compound (T-cut equivalent) on the Discovery headlights, lasts a reasonable time.
I'm not absolutely sure whether the headlights are glass or plastic so have shied away from abrasive kits.
|
|
1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
|
|
|
|
|
Did mine with some of that charcoal tooth paste, took a bit of elbow grease too but they came up a great.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
do these all the time at work i use wet and dry 1500 and give them a really good flat more effort you put in the better the end result a good 10-15 mins a headlight will do them good then use a good polishing compound theres loads out there some work better than others carnt remeber the exact one i use will have a look tommorow , then just give them a good buffing with a good quality buffer set on a low speed and don't put to much compound on or it will go every where and wont cut in as well pleanty presure on and take ya time buffing till the compound it gone repeat a few times but don't let it get to hot or will burn the lense job done coat of polish after and theyll be like new
|
|
1978 mk2 escort mexico
|
|
|
|
|
I have used toothpaste with bicarbonate of soda in. Washed lamp, dried it off, and then rub in toothpaste like you would your teeth. Wipe off with a damp cloth, and then polish the lamp. This lasted for about 6 months. But I have now bought some rubbing compound and re-done the lamp with that. A little more elbow grease to get the ideal finish, but it definitely works.
|
|
|
|
jimi
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,822
|
|
|
Left side one is untouched, right side was buffed with T cut and then some wax.
|
|
Last Edit: Nov 10, 2020 23:00:02 GMT by jimi
Black is not a colour ! .... Its the absence of colour
|
|
|
|
|
Possibly one of the cheapest solutions is a damp cloth and some "Brasso" or similar metal polish costs about a £1.00 a tin, a few minutes of elbow grease and the transformation is astonishing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for all the replies, I hadn't realised just how many different methods there are out there !
|
|
|
|
|
Headlight restorationMercdan68
@forddan68
Club Retro Rides Member 68
|
|
I don’t buy any of the expensive so called wonder treatments Just toothpaste and then polish up with any car polish
|
|
Fraud owners club member 1999 Jaguar s type 1993 ford escort
|
|
|
|
Nov 10, 2020 18:25:23 GMT
|
You can also use a fine metal polish wad like Brasso or Duraglit to get the finest scratches and misting off. I use a 3M kit, but this stuff is something you probably already have under the kitchen sink.
See also: Old MCM vid comparing different techniques including Avocado and Wee
|
|
|
|
jimi
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,822
|
|
Nov 10, 2020 23:01:49 GMT
|
Possibly one of the cheapest solutions is a damp cloth and some "Brasso" or similar metal polish costs about a £1.00 a tin, a few minutes of elbow grease and the transformation is astonishing. Liquid Brasso is excellent, I've used it to buff scratches out of watch glasses
|
|
Black is not a colour ! .... Its the absence of colour
|
|
|