Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
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Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
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.
My end results...
At this point i stood back and admired my work.
Top View
The next side
This side was abit of an issue because of the damage that was inside the headlight.
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.
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.
My end results...
At this point i stood back and admired my work.
Top View
The next side
This side was abit of an issue because of the damage that was inside the headlight.
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.
- Deranged_9n3
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
Howzit bru ?? Looking good there, but try ranging your sanding from 600-3000 for much better results
Thank me later
Thank me later
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
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
Looks good bro.
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
Agreed.Deranged_9n3 wrote:Howzit bru ?? Looking good there, but try ranging your sanding from 600-3000 for much better results
Thank me later
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
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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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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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
Nice work bud
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
Thank you brother
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
Nice come back there... as above, spend more time on the initials and the end result will be nothing short of spectacularGaVeN wrote:Agreed.Deranged_9n3 wrote:Howzit bru ?? Looking good there, but try ranging your sanding from 600-3000 for much better results
Thank me later
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.
Ahmed Syed
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
Thank you alot guys for the help and advice. I really do appreciate it.
- LostEnigma
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
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
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
looking good bud
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 you will get better bondage on the protection (other guys like Deranged can advise if this is correct)
Maybe between 1 to 3 hours in between applications on final protection
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 you will get better bondage on the protection (other guys like Deranged can advise if this is correct)
Maybe between 1 to 3 hours in between applications on final protection
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
Great work
btw Deranged_9n3 loves such jobs
btw Deranged_9n3 loves such jobs
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
Nice work and makes such a difference
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
Thank you brother
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
Nicely done bud
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
Thank you brother. I appreciate it alot
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Re: Headlight Restoration - By Autocare Services
Looking good bud
Will definitely need to expand my sanding range then, dankieDeranged_9n3 wrote:Howzit bru ?? Looking good there, but try ranging your sanding from 600-3000 for much better results
Thank me later