Member Since: 25 May 2010
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 90
Acrylic Polish - Headlights
Has anyone used plastic polish on their headlights to try and remove minor scratches? I just bought a replacement Xenon headlight off eBay which is a bit scratched in places.
At first I was thinking about something like this as used on caravan windows...
Looks as though it would be more effective, but a bit scary if it goes horribly wrong. I presume you could end up with an undesirable 'frosted look' if you're not careful! 2006 D3 S (I use it when I can prise the keys off the wife!)
2009 Astra CDTi SXi ecoflex (I use this when I can't!)
15th Nov 2011 1:03 pm
Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Best thing for caravan windows is T cut so give that atry first before spending out on special polish MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
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15th Nov 2011 1:32 pm
big_si
Member Since: 25 May 2010
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 90
Russell
Thanks. I'm sure I've got some 'metallic T-Cut' kicking around in the garage, which I think is slightly less abrasive than the normal T-Cut so I'll give that a try first.
Some of the scratches are fairly deep, but I can always progress onto the kit later if it doesn't work.2006 D3 S (I use it when I can prise the keys off the wife!)
2009 Astra CDTi SXi ecoflex (I use this when I can't!)
Do someting called Plastex which is a proper polish for plastic
DONT use T-CutBREXIT - done properly.
Right now ...We need Government - not Politics
Save the Dipstick Flagbearer-keep it simple, less likely to fail campaign-agenda items:Starting Handles, Acetylene Lamps.
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15th Nov 2011 3:09 pm
DigitalJunior
Member Since: 22 Nov 2008
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 4398
Brasso is best SOLD - 23my Range Rover Sport D300 Dynamic SE
15th Nov 2011 7:21 pm
Splitpin
Member Since: 30 Dec 2010
Location: At the toolbox
Posts: 535
Bodyshops have a technique of sanding them and painting with a special clear lacquer
15th Nov 2011 8:04 pm
Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Re: Meguairs
BLFarrar wrote:
Do someting called Plastex which is a proper polish for plastic
DONT use T-Cut
Why not use T Cut, it is what most caravan dealers use to remove scratches from plastic windows.MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
15th Nov 2011 11:27 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
Another vote for Brasso
16th Nov 2011 7:49 am
JDB
Member Since: 25 Mar 2010
Location: NW Hampshire
Posts: 2485
I would not use standard T-Cut - too abrasive, they used to do a "polish" version which was very mild and probably suitable for plastic.
Do someting called Plastex which is a proper polish for plastic
DONT use T-Cut
Why not use T Cut, it is what most caravan dealers use to remove scratches from plastic windows.
Answer: Use what is specially made & intended for polishing what is relatively quite a soft plastic....plastex is just that.....T-Cut is very large grit abrasive intended to take of oxides & top cots of paint systems.......you may remove the ding or scratch...but you will put in a large area of scracthes / marking that will take successive grits & a lot of work to get out.
I would bo anywhere near my headlights with T-CutBREXIT - done properly.
Right now ...We need Government - not Politics
Save the Dipstick Flagbearer-keep it simple, less likely to fail campaign-agenda items:Starting Handles, Acetylene Lamps.
Founder: Dipsticks-R-Us Inc
D3 HSE-perfectly formed, passenger friendly...has real DIPSTICK
Jag XK-but sadly no DIPSTICK...HUGE design fault
FL2 has DIPSTICK..."real comfort in rear seats"
VW Golf wondermobile (?)..has real DIPSTICK
Morris Minor..original DIPSTICK technology..and a real KEY.
17th Nov 2011 9:48 am
jjvd21
Member Since: 16 Jul 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1070
What about using a clay bar to remove road grime?16 D4 Landmark
05 D3 HSE V8
THE original D4 spotter
17th Nov 2011 11:55 am
Alan G
Member Since: 15 Oct 2008
Location: Lanarkshire
Posts: 1372
I've done some clear indicator lenses for some friends in the past and used Farecla G3 or 3M machine compound on the Smart Repair buff with great results.ATB
Member Since: 25 May 2010
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 90
JDB wrote:
I would not use standard T-Cut - too abrasive, they used to do a "polish" version which was very mild and probably suitable for plastic.
Do you mean the Metallic version...?
I must admit I've already relented, grabbed my bottle of this and carefully tested it on an inconspicuous area and it does seem to be ok. It has got rid of some of the finer marks, in fact I think I'd end up getting through the whole bottle before seeing any massive results on the deeper ones, as it's a lot less abrasive than the standard T-Cut.
I don't think I'd risk the standard stuff either, mind you even that wouldn't inflict anywhere near as much abrasiveness (if that's a word) as the 3M kit I posted up at the start of the thread or wet n dry!
Maybe with time, patience and plenty of elbow grease the Metallic T-Cut will work, but I'll probably be asking too much on the one or two quite deep scratches without going down the special repair kit route.
Once again thanks for all your great advice guys!! 2006 D3 S (I use it when I can prise the keys off the wife!)
2009 Astra CDTi SXi ecoflex (I use this when I can't!)
17th Nov 2011 11:18 pm
JDB
Member Since: 25 Mar 2010
Location: NW Hampshire
Posts: 2485
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