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Old 02-07-2009, 09:50 PM   #1
SacksLax
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 193949
Join Date: Nov 2008
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Livin' the Salt Life
Default How To: Remove eyelids/clean headlights

Well since I got my bugeye yesterday, I did my first "mod" if you will. It came with eyelids...
The guy I bought it from said it was like this when he bought it. Well the Einstein owner that had them put on, had them painted with WRB paint. Well if anyone else runs into this problem, I figured I'd write up my solution. They have to be wetsanded off, there is no other way around it. The headlights were hazed as it is, so I wanted to restore them anyways. Enough with the background...

Tools:
-Masking or painters tape (good quality)
-Dishsoap
-Hose or some other means of washing in between sandings
-3M wettodry imperial sandpaper (Autozone or Advanced should have it)
-350(only if you are removing eyelids), 800, 1000, 2000 grit (They
make packages with 350, 600, 800, I
believe) Do not skimp, on 350 if removing eyelids. Otherwise just
get one package of each and you'll be fine
-Soft foam applicator, I used a leftover one from my ICE liquid clay bar
that I don't use anymore
-Terrycloth, or microfiber towel
-Some serious patience and a good "wax on, wax off" arm
-Bucket
-Plastx, or whatever you preffer. Haven't tried anything else, but worked
well

  1. Fill the bucket with some warm water
  2. Add a couple drops of dishsoap or around a tablespoon
  3. Rinse the headlights off with hose to remove loose dirt
  4. Wash the headlights quickly, they don't have to be perfect
  5. Open the hood (That's less paint you have to worry about)
  6. Dry around the edges and use the tape to tape off these edges, you don't want to sand your paint. Use about 4 or 5 layers at least, as the tape gets wet layers tear and fall off. This should assure you protection.
  7. Start with the 350 (if you are removing your eyelids) otherwise start with the 800.
  8. Cut or tear them into smaller pieces, your choice, I tore mine into 3x3" pieces, give or take
  9. Put them into the bucket to soak for about 5-10 minutes, until they curl up (You'll see what I mean) you can't leave them in too long, so don't worry about that
  10. Splash some of the soapy water on the headlight, and start sanding back and forth, NO CIRCLES!! Try and keep your motion consistent and even over the whole light. Do a section at a time, and go in the same direction for the whole light. Dunk the paper often, it will last longer. When you put the paper to the light you it should form to the light, and it should feel almost as if it is "floating". Once you feel an increase in friction, dunk the paper again. You'll get better as you go.
  11. Once the light is completely hazed over, or eyelid is gone wash it off with a hose or whatever, NOT the soapy water.
  12. Then repeat the same process for each grit, up to 2000. You can go to 2500 if you wish. They didn't have any so I didn't use it, it's not really necessary.
  13. When you get to the highest grit, take a little longer, and make sure the tiny scratches are uniform, and you lenses almost look clear.
  14. Your lenses with cloud and become VERY HAZY while you are doing the other one. No worries, it is supposed to be like that, or the Plastx wouldn't have anything to bond to, and fill in.
  15. Repeat the previous steps for the other headlight.
  16. Now that both are completely sanded and dry, remove the tape. And then retape, you don't want to get the Plastx on the paint of the car, it's abrasive, that's how it cleans the lenses, and will ruin your paint.
  17. Apply Plastx to your applicator, and apply in the same direction as you sanded. Apply it to a section, add more Plastx, and apply to another till the whole headlight is covered. Now once the whole headlight is covered, keep working it in there with the applicator till you cannot see the product anymore.
  18. Use your towel to buff off anything that is remaining.
  19. Do the same thing again, but when applying Plastx the second time, apply it in all directions and really work it in there, the longer the better.
  20. Buff it off once again
  21. Now do the same for the other light.
  22. Feel free to add another coat or two if you wish
  23. Wax them, when you wash and wax your car next, which will probably be right after this since the white residue is now on your bumper.
This is what mine looked like right after I removed the eyelid
And after the 1000 grit
2000
After first coat of Plastx

And this is just to show you how much better they really are




This was my first attempt at EVER wetsanding, and I think it went pretty well. I haven't waxed yet (ran out of daylight, sanding those off took quite some time). I will update with pictures of after the wax. This will work for any lights you have. They aren't perfect, but 100x better than they were. I'm sure if you spend more time that I did, and are more meticulous yours will look brand new, also if you can get some 2500. I am very happy with how they turned out, and I hope this helps any of those who are on the fence about doing this.
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Old 02-07-2009, 09:53 PM   #2
ARBoost
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 190876
Join Date: Oct 2008
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Westminster, Maryland
Vehicle:
2005 STI CGM
361hp/370tq Done by Jorge

Default

Looks good and sweet write up!
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Old 02-07-2009, 10:00 PM   #3
SacksLax
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 193949
Join Date: Nov 2008
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Livin' the Salt Life
Default

Haha, thanks I expected a totally different first reply. You sir...have made my day. I'm not sure if anyone else will ever have this issue, but I didn't find a lot of step by step on how to wetsand so I just wrote one up. Time for me to be giving back to all those who have helped me with write ups.
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Old 02-07-2009, 10:17 PM   #4
bbun
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 184554
Join Date: Jul 2008
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Orange County
Vehicle:
02 ghettoFABness
bugeye rolling.

Default

nice turnout
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Old 02-07-2009, 11:47 PM   #5
Markk
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 152266
Join Date: Jun 2007
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Safford, AZ
Vehicle:
03 srp wagon
comewasteyourmillionshere

Default

great write up. i was planning on doing this tomorrow...now i know how!!
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Old 02-08-2009, 01:13 AM   #6
SacksLax
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 193949
Join Date: Nov 2008
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Livin' the Salt Life
Default

Good glad I could help. Post em up when your done. Or anything else you find helpful. I won't be trolling around tomorrow I got a game at 1 so I'll be busy from 11 till 3:30 or so. So I guess you're on your own, but shoot me a PM if you need anything and I'll try and get to it as soon as I can.
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Old 02-08-2009, 01:38 AM   #7
cpelton
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 168543
Join Date: Jan 2008
Chapter/Region: VIC
Location: Vancouver, BC
Vehicle:
2011 STI hatch
Satin White Pearl

Default

I had to do this a few days ago altho I was doing it to get rid of rock chips and hazing. You must have been there forever with that plastx!! I used 800 grit then 1500, always use a backing pad. I then used a 3 step polishiing system with a makita polisher. Wool pad with cutting compound, wool pad with 1500 polish then foam pad and swirl remover. Took about 15 minutes per light and came out like glass! Good write up!
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