Steps for Wetsanding and Buffing Tail Lights

AggieStang · September 20th, 2009, 07:40 PM

A few people have asked me how I did my lights so I thought I would lay the steps out:

1)Remove lights, apply VHT, and let them dry.
2)Lightly wetsand (sand while running a mixture of soap and water) the VHT coat with 1000 and 1500 grit sandpaper. Use a sanding block to distribute the load (I used a sponge).
3)Apply a few coats of any kind of spray on automotive clear, wetsanding in between coats after the clear has dried. (you don't have to sand too much, just make sure you do it evenly.)
4)The last coat of clear should be pretty heavy, but make sure you don't go too far or it will run.
5)Wetsand the final coat until it is hazy and smooth to the touch. It shouldn't be sticky. Don't go too far though or you will sand through the clear.
6)Reinstall and buff the lights. Some people use the Mequiar's 3 stage package with the cutting compound, polish and wax. I used what I had lying around, Mother's mag wheel polish and then ScratchX. You can buff by hand or with an orbital buffer. To be safe, mask off area around the light. It should be shiny after this step.
7)Wax the lights to protect the finish.

*Steps 5 and 6 are what give it the mirror finish

If you do it right it should look like this:

zinc02GT · September 20th, 2009, 10:23 PM

Don't forget to tell people to take the lights off of the car and to tape around the parts you DO NOT want painted and all. That is a key step. No body wants sanding marks on the bumper or trunk.

Also, you can use a mix of water, quick detail spray, and soap (or a diluted degreaser) for the wetsand mix.

AggieStang · September 21st, 2009, 12:59 AM

I actually did the last wetsanding/buffing step while it was mounted. I was just super careful. If you are hand buffing you don't need to tape it off but with an orbital you should. While your painting they need to be off for sure though.

Jakashh · September 21st, 2009, 01:12 AM

great write up. Reps, and you just got your first garage comment.

AggieStang · September 21st, 2009, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by Jakashh

great write up. Reps, and you just got your first garage comment.

Yay. I just figured out how to post pictures in there after being on this site for who knows how long.

Jakashh · September 21st, 2009, 01:26 AM

yeah i was waiting for them since i last checked, a day or two ago.

AggieStang · September 22nd, 2009, 01:42 AM

If anyone sees something I missed let me know.

mustangmike! · November 20th, 2010, 07:21 PM

I guess I need to work on my sanding technique ... I spent a long time hand buffing the damn things and it never came out pretty. Also, i think ill apply a lil more clear, and let it dry for much much longer.

Mighty Stang · April 14th, 2011, 03:42 PM

Could you wet sand your headlights? I don't want mine to be smoked bcs i have hids but they are chipped a bit bcs of the rocks and stuff from cars in front. Could i sand it and make it smooth?

sonicgucci · April 14th, 2011, 05:04 PM

This technique works for headlights too if they are VHT'd

September 20th, 2009, 07:40 PM	#1
AggieStang WHOOP! 2002 Mustang GT 7.44@95 (1/8) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: TEXAS Posts: 3,128 iTrader: 3 reviews	Steps for Wetsanding and Buffing Tail Lights A few people have asked me how I did my lights so I thought I would lay the steps out: 1)Remove lights, apply VHT, and let them dry. 2)Lightly wetsand (sand while running a mixture of soap and water) the VHT coat with 1000 and 1500 grit sandpaper. Use a sanding block to distribute the load (I used a sponge). 3)Apply a few coats of any kind of spray on automotive clear, wetsanding in between coats after the clear has dried. (you don't have to sand too much, just make sure you do it evenly.) 4)The last coat of clear should be pretty heavy, but make sure you don't go too far or it will run. 5)Wetsand the final coat until it is hazy and smooth to the touch. It shouldn't be sticky. Don't go too far though or you will sand through the clear. 6)Reinstall and buff the lights. Some people use the Mequiar's 3 stage package with the cutting compound, polish and wax. I used what I had lying around, Mother's mag wheel polish and then ScratchX. You can buff by hand or with an orbital buffer. To be safe, mask off area around the light. It should be shiny after this step. 7)Wax the lights to protect the finish. Steps 5 and 6 are what give it the mirror finish If you do it right it should look like this: __________________ Buy my: Nitrous Accessories Diablosport Programmer In The Classifieds Last edited by AggieStang; September 21st, 2009 at 01:04 AM.*

September 21st, 2009, 12:59 AM	#3
AggieStang WHOOP! 2002 Mustang GT 7.44@95 (1/8) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: TEXAS Posts: 3,128 iTrader: 3 reviews	I actually did the last wetsanding/buffing step while it was mounted. I was just super careful. If you are hand buffing you don't need to tape it off but with an orbital you should. While your painting they need to be off for sure though. __________________ Buy my: Nitrous Accessories Diablosport Programmer In The Classifieds

September 21st, 2009, 01:12 AM	#4
Jakashh hello Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 10,440 iTrader: 1 reviews	great write up. Reps, and you just got your first garage comment. __________________ "It's okay to eat fish 'Cause they don't have any feelings. Something in the way, mmm Something in the way, yeah, mmm" -Kurt Cobain

September 21st, 2009, 01:26 AM	#6
Jakashh hello Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 10,440 iTrader: 1 reviews	yeah i was waiting for them since i last checked, a day or two ago. __________________ "It's okay to eat fish 'Cause they don't have any feelings. Something in the way, mmm Something in the way, yeah, mmm" -Kurt Cobain

September 22nd, 2009, 01:42 AM	#7
AggieStang WHOOP! 2002 Mustang GT 7.44@95 (1/8) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: TEXAS Posts: 3,128 iTrader: 3 reviews	If anyone sees something I missed let me know. __________________ Buy my: Nitrous Accessories Diablosport Programmer In The Classifieds

September 20th, 2009, 10:23 PM	#2
zinc02GT HUGE RED HEADED DUDE W/FIVE-OH 2011 Mustang GT 12.1 @ 116 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 5,349 iTrader: 1 reviews	Don't forget to tell people to take the lights off of the car and to tape around the parts you DO NOT want painted and all. That is a key step. No body wants sanding marks on the bumper or trunk. Also, you can use a mix of water, quick detail spray, and soap (or a diluted degreaser) for the wetsand mix.

November 20th, 2010, 07:21 PM	#8
mustangmike! I Post Entirely Way Too Much 2004,1994,1967 14.37 @ 96 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 5,202 iTrader: 1 reviews	I guess I need to work on my sanding technique ... I spent a long time hand buffing the damn things and it never came out pretty. Also, i think ill apply a lil more clear, and let it dry for much much longer. __________________ FUCKING AWESOME: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=Te0V71sGoxA Purple Haze

April 14th, 2011, 03:42 PM	#9
Mighty Stang Hardcore Enthusiast 2003 mustang gt reallly slowwww Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: MN Posts: 1,043 iTrader: 0 reviews	Could you wet sand your headlights? I don't want mine to be smoked bcs i have hids but they are chipped a bit bcs of the rocks and stuff from cars in front. Could i sand it and make it smooth? __________________ Minnesota! Too many exterior mods.....3:73 Gears, BBK Long Tube, O/R H Pipe, Stainless Magnaflow, JLT Ram Air MGW Short Throw Shifter.... flsc and h&r springs sitting in room ready to install..

April 14th, 2011, 05:04 PM	#10
sonicgucci Enthusiast 2002 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Livonia MI Posts: 501 iTrader: 0 reviews	This technique works for headlights too if they are VHT'd __________________ 2002 Sonic Blue GT --

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Forums at Modded Mustangs Advertisement Advertisement

LinkBacks (?) LinkBack to this Thread: http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums/visual/137458-steps-wetsanding-buffing-tail-lights.html
Posted By	For	Type	Date
AutoHow.TV Forums - View topic - Before and After Headlamps	This thread	Refback	November 1st, 2009 01:24 AM
AutoHow.TV Forums - View topic - Before and After Headlamps	This thread	Refback	October 1st, 2009 03:11 AM
AutoHow.TV Forums - View topic - Before and After Headlamps	This thread	Refback	October 1st, 2009 02:59 AM

Threads Similar to: Steps for Wetsanding and Buffing Tail Lights
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
smoked tail lights and head lights	02MiNeRaLgRaYGT	99-04	13	October 13th, 2009 08:49 AM
Black Head Lights / Tail Lights	SKRAPR	2005 - 2010	9	March 15th, 2009 05:12 AM
What tail lights look better	2000ranger	Visual	18	March 3rd, 2008 09:40 PM
Tail Lights	ZoomZoomMFer	96-98	28	July 11th, 2007 06:41 PM
Tail Lights	scxc15	Visual	8	April 3rd, 2007 02:18 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:03 PM.
Contact Us - Modded Mustangs - Privacy Statement - Top
Modded Mustangs is ©2005-2008, All Rights Reserved, And is Not Affiliated with Ford Motor Company. Forum is powered by vBulletin ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Ent. Ltd. & SEO by vBSEO 3.3.2 ©2009, Crawlability, Inc.