Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

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CARL@ACS
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Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by CARL@ACS »

Greetings fellow detailers, this is my first post on this forum so please forgive me for any mistakes.

So here goes...

My first official customer since i started my part time detailing business.

Opel Astra HEADLIGHT RESTORATION
(I call it the Bright Eyes Package)

This is my starting point.. a very scary point.

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My end results...

Image

At this point i stood back and admired my work.

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Top View

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The next side

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This side was abit of an issue because of the damage that was inside the headlight.

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However my customer was very excited At the results.

My process

First the prep
I clayed the headlights using Meguiars Clay and GlossWorx speed detailer as lube.
Wipe down with Ipa
Then using 3m Painters (Blue) tape i protected all the painted surfaces.

My sanding process
I used 3m Automotive Water paper
I started with 1000grit, 1500grit then 2000grit.

Polishing process
On a drill i attached a backing plate with a compounding sponge pad.
My compound of choice was meguiars #85
I did 2 section passes on each headlight.

Protection
First i wiped the headlight with ipa.
I used Chemical guy's Jet Seal.
I applied 1 thin layer and allowed 30mins to flash the wiped off then applied a second coat while this coat of protection was flashing i wiped of any residue from the bumpers, bonnet and grill.

Thank you guys for taking the time to read and comments , suggestions or questions are welcomed.

Thank you guys.
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Deranged_9n3
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by Deranged_9n3 »

Howzit bru ?? Looking good there, but try ranging your sanding from 600-3000 for much better results

Thank me later
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CARL@ACS
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by CARL@ACS »

Hello brother, thank you for the advice. Its much appreciated. [THUMBS UP SIGN]

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nolan.chettiar
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by nolan.chettiar »

Looks good bro.
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by GaVeN »

Deranged_9n3 wrote:Howzit bru ?? Looking good there, but try ranging your sanding from 600-3000 for much better results

Thank me later
Agreed.
Rather spend the time sanding & refining until the UV layer is completely removed, or else it will merely start going brittle again.

One more tip, offer a protective film installation as part of the restoration cost. It will aid in discolouring as well as guard against stone chips.
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by CARL@ACS »

Thank you brother.

I do offer extra protection such as laminex to the colour of your choice. I mainly recommend clear.

However the customer needed the headlights fixed to sell his car. He wasent really interested in "protection"


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REVV - ZN
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by REVV - ZN »

Nice work bud
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CARL@ACS
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by CARL@ACS »

Thank you brother
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by Ahmed.Syed »

GaVeN wrote:
Deranged_9n3 wrote:Howzit bru ?? Looking good there, but try ranging your sanding from 600-3000 for much better results

Thank me later
Agreed.
Rather spend the time sanding & refining until the UV layer is completely removed, or else it will merely start going brittle again.

One more tip, offer a protective film installation as part of the restoration cost. It will aid in discolouring as well as guard against stone chips.
Nice come back there... :iagree: as above, spend more time on the initials and the end result will be nothing short of spectacular :)
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by CARL@ACS »

Thank you alot guys for the help and advice. I really do appreciate it.
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by LostEnigma »

Funny enough.. I have the exact same car in at the moment... Gonna be finishing it up tomorrow... Will show how the headlights came out as well. IN NO WAY DID I DO A HEADLIGHT RESTORATION! Just decided to go the extra mile for Hobbs :hug:
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by Rsi huntered »

looking good bud :hurray:

Not sure if this would also apply for light restoration as oppose to paint.....

Try leaving time after the protection has been applied between 1st coat and 2nd coat :hug: you will get better bondage on the protection :thumbup: (other guys like Deranged can advise if this is correct)

Maybe between 1 to 3 hours in between applications on final protection :thumbup:
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by Unobeat »

Great work :hurray:
btw Deranged_9n3 loves such jobs :smile:
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by Zak108 »

Nice work and makes such a difference


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CARL@ACS
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by CARL@ACS »

Thank you brother
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by lawrence »

Nicely done bud :thumbup:
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by CARL@ACS »

Thank you brother. I appreciate it alot

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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services

Post by mikhail117 »

Looking good bud :hurray: :hurray:
Deranged_9n3 wrote:Howzit bru ?? Looking good there, but try ranging your sanding from 600-3000 for much better results

Thank me later
Will definitely need to expand my sanding range then, dankie :grin:
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