Detailed Process of Wetsanding Headlights (pics)

zinc02GT · September 22nd, 2009, 11:02 PM

So it seems as though this has been a VERY common subject lately. Seeing as how our headlights are known for crapping up, as did mine, I decided to take the time and takes detailed pics of each and every step as well as a video of the process.

Materials: 3M 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper, 3M 800 grit wet/dry sandpaper, 3M 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper, 3M 1500 wet/dry sandpaper, 3M 2000 wet/dry sandpaper, any quick detailer, degreaser (diluted), IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol), rubber sanding block, masking tape, trash bags, PC 7424 (or equivalent), polishes (I used the XMT line by Pinnacle), Sealant, wax, generic clear coat from Autozone.

Elapsed time (including clearcoat drying and re-wetsanding): 3.5 hours

Before:

1. Before doing anything, let ALL sand paper soak overnight. My mixture was 1/3 cup 1:1 Simple Green, 1/3 cup Meguire's Quick Detailer, 1/3 cup Dawn Dish soap, 1/3 cup IPA, and filled the rest up with water.

2. Remove your headlights by pulling the 2 metal pins out and unplugging the lights.
3. Clean you headlights off with diluted degreaser OR IPA.

4. Tape off the electrical sockets. (No need to tape everything off yet)

5. Take the 400 grit sandpaper and stretch it over the rubber block. Make sure it is tight.
6. Now, spray the headlight with the quick detailer and begin sanding with the 400 grit. It should look roughly like this after the 400 grit. (pictured on right)

7. Wipe residue with IPA soaked microfiber cloth.
8. Again, spray headlight with quick detailer and begin sanding with the 800 grit now. Should like this afterwards.

9.Again clean with IPA and prepare the next sand paper.
10. Spray with quick detailer and being sanding with the 1000 grit. It should look like this afterwards.

11. Wipe with IPA.
12. Begin sanding with the 1500 grit. Should look like this afterwards.

13. Wipe with IPA.
14. Sand with 2000 now. It should look like this.

15. Wipe with IPA.
16. Prepare your buffer and use a wool pad ot cutting pad with a true compound if possible. I used Pinnacle XMT Compound #4.

17. It should look like this after the buff. Remember, it will be hazy. It's what compounds do.

zinc02GT · September 22nd, 2009, 11:08 PM

18. Follow up with another less aggressive polish. I used Pinnacle XMT Intermediate Swirl Remover #3.

19. It should look like this afterwards.

20. Follow that up with another least aggressive polish. I used Pinnacle XMT Ultra Fine Swirl Remover #1.
21. Should look like this afterwards. It should have a "brand new" look at this point.

22. Wipe headlight down with IPA.
23. Now, tape EVERYTHING off that you do not want cleacoat on. I used a trash bag, masking tape, and duct tape (to save on the masking tape)
24. Clear an area for the spraying of clearcoat. Try to use it in a controled environment with low humidity and roughly around 70F.
25. Spray nice even coats, the first being light and the second being more heavy.
26.

27. Use the 2000 grit and re-wetsand after the clear coat has dried for 1 hour solid.
28. Re-polish in the following manner: Compound, #3, #1.
29. Pull out your sealant and apply that.
30. Let sit for about 30 minutes. Now apply your layer of wax.
31. Final product. Video is uploading at the moment. Will be up shortly.

After:

mustanginky · September 22nd, 2009, 11:14 PM

awesome!

00redgt · September 22nd, 2009, 11:47 PM

you da man

00redgt · September 22nd, 2009, 11:47 PM

how much was everything

zinc02GT · September 23rd, 2009, 12:28 AM

Here's the video. It shows how fast you should go with the strokes. ONLY go horizontally and vertically.

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All together I dunno. I haven't added it up.

Clear coat was like $5.99
5 different sandpapers were like $14 at WalMart
Rubber block was free. Already had one.
I had all the chemicals and all the detailing products.

The buffer was $119, polish #4 was 9.99, polish #3 was 15.99, polish #1 was 15.99, buffing pads are $7.99 each, sealant was like $16.99, wax was $19.99, tape was like $4.

I dunno. I had most of the stuff alread, so to me it was only like $20 and sometime out of my day. The headlights are MUCH brighter. I jsut went on a drive and it's a very noticeable difference.

david01130 · September 25th, 2009, 08:39 PM

very nice. this should be a sticky. When my headlights become oxidized Ill be looking up this thread

Black01 · September 26th, 2009, 03:43 PM

Good write up reps

Black01 · September 26th, 2009, 03:44 PM

ps i mailed mine out to you yesterday please clean them up and make them look like new like yours and return them to me lol jk

Zatrekaz · September 26th, 2009, 04:58 PM

In all seriousness... you could prolly make some extra cash by offering to do headlights that people send you. I mean, some people would not feel able to do this and having someone that knows how would help.

Might want to think about it

NorCalWhtHrse · September 26th, 2009, 05:14 PM

+1 great writeup!

zinc02GT · September 26th, 2009, 05:17 PM

Thanks guys! If you pay for the sandpaper, shipping, and a few extra bucks for the labor, I'll do it without an issue at all.

The sandpaper, is all together like $12-15.

mustanginky · September 27th, 2009, 12:42 AM

hey zinc, where did you get the foam pad for the PC? links would be nice! been looking for one lately.

i just bought some 4" pads as i'm working with 6.5" pads right now.

zinc02GT · September 27th, 2009, 03:03 AM

I buy all of my detailing gear at We Are Car Care -- Car Wax, Car Polish, Auto Detailing Supplies, Car Buffers & Car Accessories Store . I used 5.5" pads and they seemed to work perfect. My wool pad thoguh is a 6". I do NOT have the counter weight, sadly. SO I wrestle with is a little bit, but I can keep it under control.

OC 5.5" CCS Orange pad located here
CCS foam buffing pads,foam polishing pads,lake country foam pads,foam polisher pads,buffer pads,lake county pads,porter cable pads,pads for air sander
OC 5.5" CCS White pad located here
CCS foam buffing pads,foam polishing pads,lake country foam pads,foam polisher pads,buffer pads,lake county pads,porter cable pads,pads for air sander

XectriK · September 29th, 2009, 02:56 PM

I know what I'll be doing soon. Good stuff.

XectriK · September 29th, 2009, 03:04 PM

I got to thinking about it but want to clarify before I go out of my way to do something I don't have too, but will this same process work on the stock foglights?

zinc02GT · October 1st, 2009, 01:30 AM

Yes, but it's a much quicker process. I can't see the fogs needing anything more aggressive than 1000 grit.

mustanginky · October 1st, 2009, 07:16 PM

hey zinc, let me ask you another question.

after finishing polishing, before clear coat, did you remove those hazy marks around the top of the headlight and the edges on the outside of the headlight near the turn signal? if not, did the clear coat cover that up? i noticed in your pic they look a little bit like mine do, but i haven't cleared and wondered if i needed to go back and re sand them to fix it.

this thread should be a sticky btw.

zinc02GT · October 1st, 2009, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by mustanginky

hey zinc, let me ask you another question.

after finishing polishing, before clear coat, did you remove those hazy marks around the top of the headlight and the edges on the outside of the headlight near the turn signal? if not, did the clear coat cover that up? i noticed in your pic they look a little bit like mine do, but i haven't cleared and wondered if i needed to go back and re sand them to fix it.

this thread should be a sticky btw.

No, I did not. You can take that rubber fitting off if you want to, but make sure you have clear RTV to seal it back on after wards.

After the clear coat is applied (before buffing) it will look pretty orange peeled. For those of you who do not know what that is, it is when your paint, or in this case headlight, looks like that of an orange. Think about it.

The 2000 grit wetsand and the buffing remove every bit of the orange peel though.

I believe this is a sticky now man.

NorCalWhtHrse · October 1st, 2009, 07:43 PM

So if i paypal you $25 and ups you my headlights w/a return slip you'll do them?

September 22nd, 2009, 11:47 PM	#5
00redgt MM Fanatic 2000 mustang gt Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: vansant,va Posts: 4,073 iTrader: 5 reviews	how much was everything __________________

September 25th, 2009, 08:39 PM	#7
david01130 Enthusiast 2006 Saleen SC 35.643@65 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Diego/Los Gatos Posts: 585 iTrader: 1 reviews	very nice. this should be a sticky. When my headlights become oxidized Ill be looking up this thread __________________ 06-0981 PonyForums Search ALL Craigslist Cars & Trucks and Auto Parts Mustangs Only Craigslist Search

September 26th, 2009, 04:58 PM	#10
Zatrekaz Wax on, Wax off 2003 Mustang V6 16.8@83.3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 6,618 iTrader: 12 reviews	In all seriousness... you could prolly make some extra cash by offering to do headlights that people send you. I mean, some people would not feel able to do this and having someone that knows how would help. Might want to think about it __________________ OEM Used 99-04 Dark Charcoal Carpet For Sale

September 26th, 2009, 05:14 PM	#11
NorCalWhtHrse Hardcore Enthusiast 2001 Mustang V6 Coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Napa, CA Posts: 2,594 iTrader: 0 reviews	+1 great writeup! __________________

September 27th, 2009, 12:42 AM	#13
mustanginky MM Fanatic 2000 gt Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: La grange, KY Posts: 3,982 iTrader: 2 reviews	hey zinc, where did you get the foam pad for the PC? links would be nice! been looking for one lately. i just bought some 4" pads as i'm working with 6.5" pads right now. __________________ Procharged 2000 5 Speed BAB GT, built motor, blower cams, speedy dyno tune 412 hp, 450 rw tq HARDCORE CREW BRIGHT ATLANTIC BLUE CREW #1 MEMBER

September 22nd, 2009, 11:02 PM	#1
zinc02GT HUGE RED HEADED DUDE W/FIVE-OH 2011 Mustang GT 12.1 @ 116 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 5,346 iTrader: 1 reviews	Detailed Process of Wetsanding Headlights (pics) So it seems as though this has been a VERY common subject lately. Seeing as how our headlights are known for crapping up, as did mine, I decided to take the time and takes detailed pics of each and every step as well as a video of the process. Materials: 3M 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper, 3M 800 grit wet/dry sandpaper, 3M 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper, 3M 1500 wet/dry sandpaper, 3M 2000 wet/dry sandpaper, any quick detailer, degreaser (diluted), IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol), rubber sanding block, masking tape, trash bags, PC 7424 (or equivalent), polishes (I used the XMT line by Pinnacle), Sealant, wax, generic clear coat from Autozone. Elapsed time (including clearcoat drying and re-wetsanding): 3.5 hours Before: 1. Before doing anything, let ALL sand paper soak overnight. My mixture was 1/3 cup 1:1 Simple Green, 1/3 cup Meguire's Quick Detailer, 1/3 cup Dawn Dish soap, 1/3 cup IPA, and filled the rest up with water. 2. Remove your headlights by pulling the 2 metal pins out and unplugging the lights. 3. Clean you headlights off with diluted degreaser OR IPA. 4. Tape off the electrical sockets. (No need to tape everything off yet) 5. Take the 400 grit sandpaper and stretch it over the rubber block. Make sure it is tight. 6. Now, spray the headlight with the quick detailer and begin sanding with the 400 grit. It should look roughly like this after the 400 grit. (pictured on right) 7. Wipe residue with IPA soaked microfiber cloth. 8. Again, spray headlight with quick detailer and begin sanding with the 800 grit now. Should like this afterwards. 9.Again clean with IPA and prepare the next sand paper. 10. Spray with quick detailer and being sanding with the 1000 grit. It should look like this afterwards. 11. Wipe with IPA. 12. Begin sanding with the 1500 grit. Should look like this afterwards. 13. Wipe with IPA. 14. Sand with 2000 now. It should look like this. 15. Wipe with IPA. 16. Prepare your buffer and use a wool pad ot cutting pad with a true compound if possible. I used Pinnacle XMT Compound #4. 17. It should look like this after the buff. Remember, it will be hazy. It's what compounds do.

September 22nd, 2009, 11:08 PM	#2
zinc02GT HUGE RED HEADED DUDE W/FIVE-OH 2011 Mustang GT 12.1 @ 116 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 5,346 iTrader: 1 reviews	18. Follow up with another less aggressive polish. I used Pinnacle XMT Intermediate Swirl Remover #3. 19. It should look like this afterwards. 20. Follow that up with another least aggressive polish. I used Pinnacle XMT Ultra Fine Swirl Remover #1. 21. Should look like this afterwards. It should have a "brand new" look at this point. 22. Wipe headlight down with IPA. 23. Now, tape EVERYTHING off that you do not want cleacoat on. I used a trash bag, masking tape, and duct tape (to save on the masking tape) 24. Clear an area for the spraying of clearcoat. Try to use it in a controled environment with low humidity and roughly around 70F. 25. Spray nice even coats, the first being light and the second being more heavy. 26. 27. Use the 2000 grit and re-wetsand after the clear coat has dried for 1 hour solid. 28. Re-polish in the following manner: Compound, #3, #1. 29. Pull out your sealant and apply that. 30. Let sit for about 30 minutes. Now apply your layer of wax. 31. Final product. Video is uploading at the moment. Will be up shortly. After:

September 22nd, 2009, 11:14 PM	#3
mustanginky MM Fanatic 2000 gt Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: La grange, KY Posts: 3,982 iTrader: 2 reviews	awesome! __________________ Procharged 2000 5 Speed BAB GT, built motor, blower cams, speedy dyno tune 412 hp, 450 rw tq HARDCORE CREW BRIGHT ATLANTIC BLUE CREW #1 MEMBER

September 22nd, 2009, 11:47 PM	#4
00redgt MM Fanatic 2000 mustang gt Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: vansant,va Posts: 4,073 iTrader: 5 reviews	you da man __________________

September 26th, 2009, 03:43 PM	#8
Black01 Regular 2001 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brighton, Michigan Posts: 278 iTrader: 0 reviews	Good write up reps

September 26th, 2009, 03:44 PM	#9
Black01 Regular 2001 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brighton, Michigan Posts: 278 iTrader: 0 reviews	ps i mailed mine out to you yesterday please clean them up and make them look like new like yours and return them to me lol jk

September 26th, 2009, 05:17 PM	#12
zinc02GT HUGE RED HEADED DUDE W/FIVE-OH 2011 Mustang GT 12.1 @ 116 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 5,346 iTrader: 1 reviews	Thanks guys! If you pay for the sandpaper, shipping, and a few extra bucks for the labor, I'll do it without an issue at all. The sandpaper, is all together like $12-15.

September 27th, 2009, 03:03 AM	#14
zinc02GT HUGE RED HEADED DUDE W/FIVE-OH 2011 Mustang GT 12.1 @ 116 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 5,346 iTrader: 1 reviews	I buy all of my detailing gear at We Are Car Care -- Car Wax, Car Polish, Auto Detailing Supplies, Car Buffers & Car Accessories Store . I used 5.5" pads and they seemed to work perfect. My wool pad thoguh is a 6". I do NOT have the counter weight, sadly. SO I wrestle with is a little bit, but I can keep it under control. OC 5.5" CCS Orange pad located here CCS foam buffing pads,foam polishing pads,lake country foam pads,foam polisher pads,buffer pads,lake county pads,porter cable pads,pads for air sander OC 5.5" CCS White pad located here CCS foam buffing pads,foam polishing pads,lake country foam pads,foam polisher pads,buffer pads,lake county pads,porter cable pads,pads for air sander

September 29th, 2009, 02:56 PM	#15
XectriK Hardcore Enthusiast 2000 Ford Mustang GT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,718 iTrader: 0 reviews	I know what I'll be doing soon. Good stuff. __________________

September 29th, 2009, 03:04 PM	#16
XectriK Hardcore Enthusiast 2000 Ford Mustang GT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,718 iTrader: 0 reviews	I got to thinking about it but want to clarify before I go out of my way to do something I don't have too, but will this same process work on the stock foglights? __________________

October 1st, 2009, 01:30 AM	#17
zinc02GT HUGE RED HEADED DUDE W/FIVE-OH 2011 Mustang GT 12.1 @ 116 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 5,346 iTrader: 1 reviews	Yes, but it's a much quicker process. I can't see the fogs needing anything more aggressive than 1000 grit.

October 1st, 2009, 07:16 PM	#18
mustanginky MM Fanatic 2000 gt Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: La grange, KY Posts: 3,982 iTrader: 2 reviews	hey zinc, let me ask you another question. after finishing polishing, before clear coat, did you remove those hazy marks around the top of the headlight and the edges on the outside of the headlight near the turn signal? if not, did the clear coat cover that up? i noticed in your pic they look a little bit like mine do, but i haven't cleared and wondered if i needed to go back and re sand them to fix it. this thread should be a sticky btw. __________________ Procharged 2000 5 Speed BAB GT, built motor, blower cams, speedy dyno tune 412 hp, 450 rw tq HARDCORE CREW BRIGHT ATLANTIC BLUE CREW #1 MEMBER

October 1st, 2009, 07:43 PM	#20
NorCalWhtHrse Hardcore Enthusiast 2001 Mustang V6 Coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Napa, CA Posts: 2,594 iTrader: 0 reviews	So if i paypal you $25 and ups you my headlights w/a return slip you'll do them? __________________

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