How to clean headlights with sandpaper?

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Over time, the headlights of your vehicle can become cloudy, hazy, and dull due to exposure to the elements, UV rays, and environmental pollutants. This not only affects the appearance of your car but also diminishes the effectiveness of your headlights' illumination. If you're looking for an effective way to restore clarity and brightness to your headlights, cleaning them with sandpaper can be a viable solution.

Materials You'll Need:

1. Sandpaper: Choose sandpaper with varying grits, such as 600, 1000, 1500, and 2000 grits. The grits you use will depend on the level of cloudiness and damage on your headlights.

2. Spray Bottle: Fill a spray bottle with water. This will be used to keep the sandpaper and headlight surface wet during the sanding process.

3. Masking Tape: Use masking tape to protect the surrounding areas of the headlights from accidental scratches.

4. Microfiber Cloth: You'll need a clean microfiber cloth for drying and buffing the headlights after sanding.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Preparation:

- Park your vehicle in a shaded area to prevent the sun from drying the water too quickly during the process.

- Use masking tape to outline the area around the headlights, protecting the paint and other surfaces from accidental contact with sandpaper.

2. Wet Sanding:

- Begin with the lowest-grit sandpaper (e.g., 600 grit).

- Wet the sandpaper and the headlight surface with water from the spray bottle.

- Gently sand the headlight in a horizontal and vertical motion, applying light pressure. Keep the surface and sandpaper wet at all times to avoid scratching.

- Continue sanding until the headlight surface becomes uniformly hazy. This indicates that the outer layer is being removed.

3. Progressive Grits:

- Progress to higher grit sandpapers (e.g., 1000, 1500, and 2000 grits) following the same wet sanding process.

- Each grit level will help to refine the surface, gradually removing the haze and scratches left by the previous grit.

4. Rinse and Dry:

- Thoroughly rinse the headlight with water to remove any sanding residue.

- Dry the headlight using a clean microfiber cloth.

5. Polishing:

- Apply a small amount of plastic or headlight polishing compound to a clean microfiber cloth.

- Buff the headlight using circular motions until the surface becomes clear and glossy.

6. Sealing:

- To prevent future cloudiness, apply a clear plastic headlight sealant according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Cleaning headlights with sandpaper is a cost-effective and practical way to restore clarity and brightness to your vehicle's headlights. By following the step-by-step process outlined above, you can remove the haze, scratches, and oxidation that accumulate over time, improving both the appearance and functionality of your headlights. Remember to use the appropriate grit sandpaper, keep the surface and sandpaper wet, and take your time to achieve the best results. With clear headlights, you'll enjoy safer night-time driving and a renewed aesthetic appeal for your vehicle.