[mk1993]

I got a set of the ultra clear foglights from a friend for free because he got a set of smoked ones from AM, he spraytinted these and im trying to get everything off of them by wetsanding and this is as far as i have gotten.



Can these be saved? I want them back to clear so i can replace my OEM ones with them, if they can be fixed what else can i do to make them clear/get all the scratches out? Thanks guys

[zinc02GT]

When wetsanding, you need to crosshatch the different grits. This helps with leveling and removing any possible tracers that could be left behind from a stray piece of dirt or trash.

It looks like you've only gone horizontally. What grits have you used? If you have gone stronger than 800 grit, it'll be pretty hard to remove some of the scratches.


It can be fixed most likely, but it'll take some time and patience.




My plan would be to use 800 horizontally, 1000 vertically, 1200 horizontally, 1500 vertically, 2000 horizontally, 2500 vertically, and 3000 horizontally. You'll then have to buff it with a wool pad and a compound. I use Meg's M105 with a 3M wool pad. Follow it up with M205 and then finally a finishing polish.

You can clear them if you want after the 3000 grit. Just wipe it down with IPA then spray it with clear. Wait about an hour or two then wetsand it with 3000 again (gently) and put another coat of clear on it.

[mk1993]

thanks zinc, ill give that a shot, didnt know you had to go both horizontally and vertically, im new to this stuff as you can tell

[zinc02GT]

You don't HAVE to, but it makes it much easier to polish out in the end.

[MothersPolish]

A headlight restoration kit will also take care of your plastic fog light lenses -- the only difference is the fog light lenses don't have the coating to remove, but they often do have plenty of pitting that needs to be sanded away.

By the way, some fog light lenses are glass and can't be polished in this fashion -- I discovered this on a 10-year-old Explorer with the round fog lights.

I do not know if any Mustang fog light lenses were glass since they switched from having used Marchal lights with the glass lens beginning in 1979 through the 1986 model year.

So be sure you know what you're polishing.

[tommy93]

Originally Posted by zinc02GT When wetsanding, you need to crosshatch the different grits. This helps with leveling and removing any possible tracers that could be left behind from a stray piece of dirt or trash. It looks like you've only gone horizontally. What grits have you used? If you have gone stronger than 800 grit, it'll be pretty hard to remove some of the scratches. It can be fixed most likely, but it'll take some time and patience. My plan would be to use 800 horizontally, 1000 vertically, 1200 horizontally, 1500 vertically, 2000 horizontally, 2500 vertically, and 3000 horizontally. You'll then have to buff it with a wool pad and a compound. I use Meg's M105 with a 3M wool pad. Follow it up with M205 and then finally a finishing polish. You can clear them if you want after the 3000 grit. Just wipe it down with IPA then spray it with clear. Wait about an hour or two then wetsand it with 3000 again (gently) and put another coat of clear on it.

what clear would you recommend?
Plus where do you find 2500grit and 3000 grit at. Ive always kept on eye out for the two, but I have never had any luck finding those grits

[dannyboy281]

Originally Posted by tommy93 what clear would you recommend? Plus where do you find 2500grit and 3000 grit at. Ive always kept on eye out for the two, but I have never had any luck finding those grits

This is where I got mine.

Meguiars Unigrit Sand Papers Sheets, wet-sanding papers, remove orange peel, finishing papers

[zinc02GT]

Originally Posted by tommy93 what clear would you recommend? Plus where do you find 2500grit and 3000 grit at. Ive always kept on eye out for the two, but I have never had any luck finding those grits

Any store bought clear will do just fine. Autozone stuff will hold up for a few years no problem.

[tommy93]

Originally Posted by dannyboy281 This is where I got mine. Meguiars Unigrit Sand Papers Sheets, wet-sanding papers, remove orange peel, finishing papers

Thanks!
about this kit you linked though, how many sheets come with each individual grit size? just one? So in total you'd only get 6 sheets?

[dannyboy281]

Originally Posted by tommy93 Thanks! about this kit you linked though, how many sheets come with each individual grit size? just one? So in total you'd only get 6 sheets?

Total of 6 sheets you choose the grits you want in the kit when I placed my order I ordered 3 -- 2500 and 3 -- 3000.

[tommy93]

Originally Posted by dannyboy281 Total of 6 sheets you choose the grits you want in the kit when I placed my order I ordered 3 -- 2500 and 3 -- 3000.

ahh alright. i think I'll buy some just because ive never been able to find any anywhere!