Grazer Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 I am going to attempt to clean my headlights as per the mkiv.com instructions (http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/headlights/index.html). I've got a couple of questions for anyone who has done this: 1 - Buffing Can this be done using a power drill with buffing attachment (one with gears i.e. lower rpm if required) or is it safer to do by hand 2 - Wetsand using 2000grit paper What does this mean!! 3 - Using silicone sealant at the end The mkiv.com article suggests adding sealant at the end but I've heard that this may not be necessary - what's generally done 4 - Delining From what I've read this is a bit of a nightmare, but I can't find any detailed instructions - anyone know of any Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Originally posted by Grazer I am going to attempt to clean my headlights as per the mkiv.com instructions (http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/headlights/index.html). I've got a couple of questions for anyone who has done this: 1 - Buffing Can this be done using a power drill with buffing attachment (one with gears i.e. lower rpm if required) or is it safer to do by hand 2 - Wetsand using 2000grit paper What does this mean!! 3 - Using silicone sealant at the end The mkiv.com article suggests adding sealant at the end but I've heard that this may not be necessary - what's generally done 4 - Delining From what I've read this is a bit of a nightmare, but I can't find any detailed instructions - anyone know of any Cheers 1) I'd buff by hand. Much more controllable. 2) All abrasive paper is graded with a number. The higher the number the finer the grit. Go to Halfrauds, buy some 2000 grit (very fine) and wet it with a mixture of water and washing up liquid (make sure you get paper suitable for wet use). Wet sand away! 3) I didn't need to apply any more sealant when I did mine. 4) No idea. Hope this helps (apart from number 4!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outatime Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 I did mine last week, sprayed the insides black at the same time. Like Darren said, buff it by hand. It takes longer, but you can get into all the corners and keep an eye on what your doing easier. I used Turtlewax Scratch Remover, Brasso and Novus Plastic Cleaners 1,2 & 3. My local Halfrauds only had down to 1200 grit, 2000 is harder to find. I didn't use wet & dry in the end. The insides are a bit of a PITA to clean because of all the ridges and lines on the lens. The outsides are easy. I didn't bother with the silicone, the clips pull the whole thing together tight enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newgendesign Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Hiya I have a spare light which I plan to make look as "new" as my drivers side one - (looks a bit wierd one new and one cloudy I can assure you) I bought some plastic cleaner from the MX5 parts site which is desigend for teh rear screens (does teh same thing as Novus cleaner) - however I would like to get hold of the Novus products. Where did you get them from? As you all know Halfords is useless for this kind of stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grazer Posted May 25, 2004 Author Share Posted May 25, 2004 Novus here (for cleaning pinball machines): http://www.pinballmania.co.uk/partscosmetic.htm Plexus here: http://websites.uk-plc.net/Buy_It_For_Your_Bike_com/products/All_Models__PLEXUS_PLASTIC_POLISH.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baojun Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 Anyone got the idea of delining for the headlights? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grazer Posted January 28, 2005 Author Share Posted January 28, 2005 I would quite like to do it, but it looks like a lot of work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedlam Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 Grazer Get some Fraecla if you can the compund you need is G3..and put some on a damp cloth.rub in and then poilsh with something like autoglym, and the lights will be nice and new look. Not sure about taking the line compeltly off.if your not sure about doing the light polishing thing.pm me a telphone number and i'll pop over and do the lights for you m8. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grazer Posted January 28, 2005 Author Share Posted January 28, 2005 Cheers Andy - I've already given them a good scrub (here) - the delining has been done a bit on mkiv.com and seems a bit of an ordeal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedlam Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 Np Grazer if you get stuck gimie a shout m8. Oh and i wouldnt do it with a drill if you haven't done anything like this before.use your hand always keeping it as flat as possible to the surface. and make sure you use a fine wet&dry paprer 1500..and plenty of soapy water.then use your rubbing compound or fraecla to bring the plastic back up and something to finish the job off. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toms Supra Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 Blimey they look good I will post mine upto you mate! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadyn Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 just used a minute bit of t-cut on my yellowy headlamp and seemed to clear it up a lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baojun Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 Np Grazer if you get stuck gimie a shout m8. Oh and i wouldnt do it with a drill if you haven't done anything like this before.use your hand always keeping it as flat as possible to the surface. and make sure you use a fine wet&dry paprer 1500..and plenty of soapy water.then use your rubbing compound or fraecla to bring the plastic back up and something to finish the job off. Andy Is this the way for delining? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 By Delining do you mean getting rid of the pattern inside the lens to make it look clearer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baojun Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 By Delining do you mean getting rid of the pattern inside the lens to make it look clearer? yes, all the pattern and lines inside the lens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 yes, all the pattern and lines inside the lens. There actually just the facelift's there, I saved the pic and zoomed in and the lines are still there, I had a search on supraforums for delining and it brought up a few threads about this, I might give it a go on mine this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 TBH I don't think that the facelift ones need delining, have a look at Ian's pics here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 Facelift lights do not have the same pattern on them. See photos from my cars http://www.pbarfield.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/Ext%20Front%202.JPG and http://www.pbarfield.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/MerTOC%20Shiny4.JPG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 It's strange though because a lot of the US guys seem to be 98's then get them delined! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 The facelift's look sooooooo much better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamanC Posted August 6, 2005 Share Posted August 6, 2005 yes, all the pattern and lines inside the lens. ^^^^ wow, that looks really good! take its a case of sanding them off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jspec Germany Posted August 6, 2005 Share Posted August 6, 2005 I don't know if you can "sand them off". I will take a look at it as I'm about to clean mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrickTT Posted August 6, 2005 Share Posted August 6, 2005 3 - Using silicone sealant at the end The mkiv.com article suggests adding sealant at the end but I've heard that this may not be necessary - what's generally done Then next week you can take them all apart again when they fill with condensation cos they haven't sealed properly.... Oh Bugger, that was me!!! This time i went to the local windscreen place and bought some of that black stuff they use for bonding in windscreens - only cost a tenner. Waiting for the next time it rains now to see the results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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