2002 SSEi Headlight Cleaning Question

[NewBonneGuy]

I have mineral spirits, 400, 1000, 1500, 2000, and 2500 wet sandpaper. I also have a water-based urethane wood sealer.
1st question: Is it going to work if I start with the 400 and go straight to 1000 grit?
2nd question: Will any water-based urethane work, or does it have to be Minwax?
I'm strapped for cash right now, but if I am able to make do with what I have, I plan on doing this tomorrow to both headlights and also to the rear trunk piece (it has a scratch from previous owner).
As always, thanks for any input and usable info.

[quicksilver]

I just did this myself and worked through the sandpaper. You could skip the 600, but its go a take a little more work with the 1000 to work out the grooves from the 400. I'm not sure about the water based urethane and the only advice I have to offer is give it a shot. If you don't liek the results, you can always undo it and get the proper stuff when you have the cash.

[NewBonneGuy]

I'll work with what I have and post my results later this week. Thanks

[quicksilver]

No problem and gl. Just take your time sanding and make sure you cover the entire headlight, it looks like I didnt hit some lower spots on my headlights that well and they look cloudy. They are low enough so they won't affect light and I could give a s*** about it, bit if you have a higher attentiin to detail, then it may bother you.

[crash93ssei]

400 to 1000 is a pretty big step, you may have a hard time removing all the 400 grit sanding marks. I would try to find some 600 or 800 to go in between.

[oldslss]

, id start with 600 go to 1000 then 3000 then some paint polish thats around a 4500-5000 then plastx

[macksdaddy77]

i just tried cleaning my headlights with 400,1000,300 then plast x.. one of them turned out pretty well.. the other not so much. i also found a crack in the center of the same one.. i noticed the headlight that came out cleanest was aftermarket.. did not have the bonneville lettering on it as the other one did.

[crash93ssei]

Only the drivers side headlight has Bonneville on it, nothing on the passenger side anyway, rolled off the line that way right from the factory.

I would very much recommend skipping the plastx polish and go right from sanded lights to coating them with the urethane / mineral spirits mix. I have found that sanding and polishing alone only lasts me about two or three months the before looking terrible again, the spar / spirits lasted me seven months on the first try.

[macksdaddy77]

i just dont understand how they were equally bad and yet one came out completely diff than the other lol.. i have plastx and protectant as well

[crash93ssei]

What do you have for protectant? Honestly I doubt that it will out do the spar spirits either way unless you have optimum opti-lens. There isn't a sealant (over the counter, and likely nothing detailer quality either) out there that has good enough UV inhibitors to prevent the oxidation of the plastic lenses, maybe if you applied it every other day it might work... In the long run this is a losing battle any way you look at it and there is not much you can do to prevent oxidation all together other then not driving it and keeping it shaded always about all we can do for a daily driver that sits outside is hope to slow the process.

There is a factory coating applied to the headlights that is UV cured by lamps at the manufacturer, there are some companies and even some detailing businesses that offer this type of service also, but for our headlights that type of service may be cost prohibitive vs new aftermarket headlights. I have seen this service cost up to $100 per headlight and we can now get brand new aftermarket ones for under $300 shipped.

For what it's worth, I have tried many methods since 2007 when I picked up my '03 SSEI to keep the headlights looking good and the spar /spirits is by far the easiest, quickest, longest lasting, best bang for the buck, method I have tried, especially for a DIY'er that doesn't want to spend a ton on tools. I do plan to try out the aforementioned Optimum opti-lens though, but it is much more work, but from my understand and research looks a little more clear and is supposed to last longer.

[macksdaddy77]

It's meguires it was part of the kit ...

[crash93ssei]

Long story short it will not do much of any good.

[macksdaddy77]

Gotcha. Any advice on clearing up the headlight tho? Like I said one is decent other is not.

[crash93ssei]

Try sanding more, you might have to hit it pretty hard with the more aggressive paper if the oxidation is deep. Some times though the oxidation is deep enough that there is no saving the lens no matter what you do. Just make sure to follow the steps without jumping too much, 400 - 1000 is a huge step, way too big to have it turn out nice.

[macksdaddy77]

yea literally no where has 60 or 800 grit around here.. lowes and walmart dont.. home depot is 20 mles away and we just got hit with snow again

[crash93ssei]

Some parts stores might have it or even mom and pop hardware stores. The problem with skipping that far is it will take forever to remove 400 grit scratches and there will very likely be some left that will show through when everything is done.

I am surprised Lowes doesn't have it.

[macksdaddy77]

yea i was amazed.. ill take some pics when the weather clears . this winter has been a disaster

[quicksilver]

FWIW, I got all the sandpaper at advance auto. They have all the way up to 3000 if you really want it.