scratches
10-14-2018, 09:04 AM
#3
2nd Gear
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10-14-2018, 09:38 AM
#4
Racer
There are many treads on the subject (search tool is your friend), look here for a start...
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...storation.html
You have created a lot more work for yourself but they are likely salvageable
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...storation.html
You have created a lot more work for yourself but they are likely salvageable
10-14-2018, 09:46 AM
#5
Rennlist Member
#1 - Have you read any of the DIY’s on how to restore your headlights?
#2 - Have you ever sanded/polished anything else?
#3 - the concept is the same for any type of smoothly finished product. You start with a heavy abrasive and progressively get finer and finer until the surface is smooth, and in this case “polished”...
#4 - The caveat is that it’s a lot of work. Plan to spend at least 10 - 15 minutes with each grit starting with 320 or 400 working up to 2000 or higher. You can’t skip grits or you’ll leave scratches... Do a little research and get sanding...
#2 - Have you ever sanded/polished anything else?
#3 - the concept is the same for any type of smoothly finished product. You start with a heavy abrasive and progressively get finer and finer until the surface is smooth, and in this case “polished”...
#4 - The caveat is that it’s a lot of work. Plan to spend at least 10 - 15 minutes with each grit starting with 320 or 400 working up to 2000 or higher. You can’t skip grits or you’ll leave scratches... Do a little research and get sanding...
10-14-2018, 10:50 AM
#6
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I normally start with 1000 followed by 3000.
Use horizontal motion with one grit and vertical with the other.
Follow up with a polishing paste.
Like dporto said, you’ll have to move up to the 1000 in much smaller steps.
The scratches will get smaller until they’re hard to see, but the plastic headlights will remain cloudy until they are polished in the final step.
Oh, and remove the lights from the car.
if you accidentally hit the paint, you’ll make even more work for yourself.
Most cars I mask off the surrounding area with painters tape.
But for 996s it is just TOO easy to remove the headlights to not do it that way!
Use horizontal motion with one grit and vertical with the other.
Follow up with a polishing paste.
Like dporto said, you’ll have to move up to the 1000 in much smaller steps.
The scratches will get smaller until they’re hard to see, but the plastic headlights will remain cloudy until they are polished in the final step.
Oh, and remove the lights from the car.
if you accidentally hit the paint, you’ll make even more work for yourself.
Most cars I mask off the surrounding area with painters tape.
But for 996s it is just TOO easy to remove the headlights to not do it that way!
10-14-2018, 10:57 AM
#7
Rennlist Member
Just get the Sylvania restoration kit and follow the instructions.
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10-14-2018, 11:55 AM
#8
Rennlist Member
Been a good week...
10-14-2018, 01:31 PM
#9
I agree with folks who have stated to do graduated finer sandpapering steps....however, one thing you should do is get the headlights wet....if they become clear when wet, you can save the headlight. The sandpapering technique is the best....and afterwards put expel film on them to protect from UV damage from the sun. Finally, if the wetness test works, you can dry them and then put a clearcoat on and it makes them clear again....make sure you check videos on how to do either of these before you proceed further. At the end of the day if you follow the steps you will be OK. With this job, if it didn't work, its your own damn fault.
10-15-2018, 04:14 PM
#10
Drifting
Find a guy in Facebook located in the DFW, TX area. His name is Josh Doss. If they are fixable, he will make them beautiful with a nice thick clear coat. He saved mine when I thought I’d have to junk them. I think he went all the way to 80 grit to get them roughed up at first.
10-15-2018, 04:47 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
10-15-2018, 08:51 PM
#13
Rennlist Member
Problem is, he already used a heavy grit on them. He’s going to have to start close to that grit and work up from there.
10-16-2018, 07:15 PM
#14
Rennlist Member
I've also done mine, starting at 1000 grit wet sanding and working up to 2500 and they came out pretty nice. Just find out what you used to start (300??, 500??) and work up from there in gradual steps. You created some extra work for yourself, but it's easily fixable with a bucket of water and a bunch of sandpaper in progressively finer grit variations. You can do it in front of the TV over the course of a long movie. You can't take giant leaps. Obviously you started wayyyy too aggressive. But chalk it up to a learning lesson and just work your way towards progressively finer grit. Finish when you get to 2000 or 2500. It will be fine.
I coated mine with this sealant made by Meguiars when I was done to provide some UV protection.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Meguiars-...RoC30oQAvD_BwE
