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Topic: Headlight Spiff Up (Read 1029 times) previous topic - next topic

Headlight Spiff Up

I had restored my headlights last year in the conventional way (varying grits of sandpaper) and they were looking pretty good. After our last trip, however, they were looking a little grungy. I had this stuff laying around and gave it a try. No power tools and takes just a few minutes. They look great. Anyhow, if your lights aren't bad but are just looking a bit grungy, give this stuff a try.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Headlight Spiff Up

Reply #1 –
Really nice job.  I did ours with a big buffer but I don't think it would fit in the recess on the later coaches. Yes, important to put a coating on after the job is done as they fog up again over a few months as UV takes it's toll. Yours look like new.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Headlight Spiff Up

Reply #2 –
Quote from: jor –
  if your lights aren't bad but are just looking a bit grungy, give this stuff a try.
Nice! Just on the outside? I like Megular's, use their wax and spray touch-up.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Headlight Spiff Up

Reply #4 –
Quote
I wouldn't waste my time..........again.

I went that route with our Grand Villa but the bus type has the doubles which complicates the issue.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Headlight Spiff Up

Reply #5 –
Oops. You are right. I didn't see the '97. Nevermind. These are for GV's only.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Headlight Spiff Up

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Twig –
I wouldn't waste my time..........again.
Headlights Headlamps w/ Chrome Trim Pair Set for 87-91 Bronco F-Series Truck...
With a buffer, it only takes 30 seconds at most. I can spend a minute a year before thinking about replacing them. New plastics in the sun do the same thing.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Headlight Spiff Up

Reply #7 –
$150.00 ?  I don't drive at night, and, having taken that bezel out once before (bearcat), I'll try to clean up the outside with John's suggestion, unless you think I need a more robust cleaner.  (one can buy a lot of Pacifico with that kind of cash!). Twig, Pierce, is this what you bought to refresh your headlights?
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Headlight Spiff Up

Reply #8 –
Quote from: jor –
I had restored my headlights last year in the conventional way (varying grits of sandpaper) and they were looking pretty good. After our last trip, however, they were looking a little grungy. I had this stuff laying around and gave it a try. No power tools and takes just a few minutes. They look great. Anyhow, if your lights aren't bad but are just looking a bit grungy, give this stuff a try.
jor

I need to do that on our tow car.  Tow car headlights looking pretty bad right now (2012 Honda Fit).  I tried a regular wax cleaner, and that only helped a little.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Headlight Spiff Up

Reply #9 –
Quote from: mike leary –
Twig, Pierce, is this what you bought to refresh your headlights?
No, I have a 9 inch HD body shop 1450 RPM Milwaukee buffer using a foam pad. Here are photos with the buffer and rubbing/polishing compound. You can't go over the buffer RPM and grinders are way to fast and burn the plastic or paint.

You can't really see too much difference in the photos but after about 30 seconds work, they are nice and clear. We just bought a new to us SUV with a cloudy headlight on one side and a new one on the other. After about a minutes work, you can't tell the difference between the new one. The vehicle is a 2005. This really prevents light scatter and driver fatigue at night.

For the new look, the plastic should be sanded with 2500 if really bad or 3000 wet or dry to get all the dead plastic removed before buffing. If it has the aiming plastic nubs on the lens, I block sand them off so the buffer has no place to catch the pad on.

The big buffer does a great job on the gelcoat but only after a lot of work with a HF jitterbug (air), water mist and 2500/3000 wet or dry. 3000 gets it shiny and the buffer adds more shine. Almost like what it looks like under the decals. It does need wax as the gel coat starts to oxidize after a few months.

Big buffers are inexpensive at pawn shops or Craigslist. I bought the Milwaukee buffer and it's grinder brother new but easy to find on the used sites.

Pierce



Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Headlight Spiff Up

Reply #10 –
I found this and ordered the kit. Under $20.00. We'll see and post. ^.^d  Available on Amazon.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Headlight Spiff Up

Reply #11 –
Quote from: mike leary –
I found this and ordered the kit. Under $20.00. We'll see and post. ^.^d  Available on Amazon.
Did mine this morning, very nice difference! Mask the lights, watch the fumes, maybe wear a breather if there is any breeze. THEY SAY, it will last a year. ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'
 

Re: Headlight Spiff Up

Reply #12 –
Mike.....as I mentioned in the past.....Pacifico FIRST..!!! in that lineup
Headlamps look great..!!
 ;D
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)