Scatches on 'plastic' headlamps W210

[LawrenceMB]

Hi,
I've got loads of fine scratches all over the top half of the plastic (polycarb?) headlamp lenses on my W210.
Does anyone know any product to get them out please?
Cheers,
Lawrence

 

[Igurisu]

Try Brasso first if they are not too deep.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Several videos on YouTube on the subject, but I've never had need to try the methods.

 

[polo_dude]

Not that I've tried it, but a dual action polisher?

 

[LawrenceMB]

Thanks guys, you think Brasso would be only on polycard? And excuse my ignorance, but what's a dual-action polisher please?
Cheers,
Lawrence

 

[MarkJunedd]

According to last months Car Mechanics magazine toothpaste works well (any brand). They tried it on their latest banger project car and it made a remarkable difference.

 

[Tinkerer]

You need a plastic lens polishing kit from Machine mart (£17.99), 1st Throw away the instructions, 2nd buy a tin of rubbing compound used for flattening paint, 3rd use this with a variable speed drill on slow with the soft felt pad in the kit and be prepared to spend a long time on it, it took me 2 days to do mine but it was worth it. Half of the first day was spent undoing the mess that following the instructions made! Never did find anything to do the final polish but did consider T-cut as it might be a finer abrasive than the rubbing compound. Good luck

 

[nigel cross]

Hi,
I've got loads of fine scratches all over the top half of the plastic (polycarb?) headlamp lenses on my W210.
Does anyone know any product to get them out please?
Cheers,
Lawrence

Where abouts are you ? as I can give you some various polishes to try

 

[nigel cross]

Detailing World - View Single Post - Headlight restoration by westandings
Just looked on the detailing world forum and found this.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Headlight Lens Restore using Toothpaste! - YouTube

 

[Dieselman]

The milkiness and fine scratches feeling is actually the UV clearcoat breaking down.

Here is a How To for proper rectification.



[YOUTUBE]8PEjJTuqJfw[/YOUTUBE]

 

[LawrenceMB]

Where abouts are you ? as I can give you some various polishes to try

Hiya Nigel, I'm in SW London / North Surrey area.
Cheers
Lawrence

 

[LawrenceMB]

Gentlemen, Thanks loads for taking the time to reply & giving me all the great resoures to look at on it. Really appreciate it. This forum is brilliant thanks to the members
Cheers!
Lawrence

 

[Tinkerer]

Do please let us know how you get on Lawrence.

 

[mabz]

i have re-polished plastics using 3000 wet grit and a heatgun followed with some autosol plastic polish/scratch remover.the results were good but i would practise on a scrap piece of plastic as theres a nack to it.

 

[Tinkerer]

I tried it dry & wet and it still looked *rap but not with a heat gun ?? how does this fit in ?? don't get me wrong I would really find a way of solving this prob but it does not seem as easy as is represented and where does the UV sealer come in the kits?

 

[LawrenceMB]

Hiya Tinkerer, I've found this 2 pot aerosol UV sealer on ebay (as per info on a response to my Q on this thread):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251155338245?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
I'll let you know how I get on - I just hope we get another spell of fine wheather so I can have a go at it before next summer !!

 

[mabz]

I tried it dry & wet and it still looked *rap but not with a heat gun ?? how does this fit in ?? don't get me wrong I would really find a way of solving this prob but it does not seem as easy as is represented and where does the UV sealer come in the kits?

i had an old facelift (plastic bumper version) bmw e30.the bumper rubbing strips were scratched,tired and going grey.what i done was get some 2500 grit and a bucket of water,rubbed it down,finished it with 3000 grit to smooth the 2500 grit marks until evenly smooth.then masked the rest of the bumper which was painted,got the heatgun out keeping it around 3 inches away and constantly moving as if using a spraycan to bring the colour back to life then a couple of coats of autosol plastic polish.
this did take a while and i was pleased with the results but there is most likely an easier option which takes less time.
hope this helps

 

[Robster_1981]

I've just done mine on my W210, they were very yellow and covered in fine scratches.
I started with 800 wet and dry. The water will turn a milky white colour as you sand, keep going until this turns clear.
Then I moved on to 1200 and 1500 grit until all the scratches have gone. They should look almost there, but a slight opaque appearance.
They have to be polished from here on in. I bought a polishing pad to go in a cordless drill and started off with Autosol metal polish, then Autoglym paint restorer, and then finished off with some Zymol polish/wax to give them a finish.
I have to say, they look as close to new as they are ever going to get, so I am very pleased with it, as they made the car look s**te before :bannana:

 

[Barry-p]

Lawrence I'm in Chobham and have done this job with great results and would be happy to carry a free demo for you if it's of any help?