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Joined: Sep 2003
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OP
New CEG\'er
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I had a really bad hazing prob with my lenses. I recently took action after reviewing a couple of threads on this subject. I started with 600 grit sandpaper and then 1000 to 2000. It took about an hour on each. This was all done wet. I then got some 3M marine cleaner and wax for boating and pollished them up. They look brand new yet I am worried of the wax coming off soon! Has anyone else done this and what was your outcome? Appreciate the input!! 
Last edited by dluv; 01/16/04 01:40 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,145
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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i have done the cleaning it works really well but i still have to get new headlights because the f****** cheap brackets ford put on there broke on the outer edge so the headlights pop out it really sux
them thangs are xpensive
98.5 Black SE ATX
S&B filter, SVT MAF, optimized SVT TB, mesh grille, removed orange reflectors, painted rear reflector, gutted pre-cats, optimized SVT LIM, 19lb injectors, resonator removed
cant afford an svt but lookin for 1 in nc
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,382
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2000
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Did you have the lights off the car when doing this?
You might buff them with a polishing compound which is finer than any grit sandpaper. That may eliminate the need for waxing...
Just a thought..
"Fear is the little death."
Muadib.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 429
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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I used polishing compound. It came out OK with little effort.
Dan B.
96 SE 2.5 auto
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Joined: May 2000
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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All this will make them look great for a month or two, then you'll have to re-polish at the very least to restore the "new" finish. More in the Aesthetics section.
E0 #36
'95 Ranger
'82 Honda CX500
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 28
New CEG\'er
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OP
New CEG\'er
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Thanks for the input. To answer the question above I did have the lights out of the car. It required very little effort. I am already seeing that this fix will probably not last long. So anyone considering this please be advised it may only be a temporary solution and not an actual "fix". 
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Joined: Sep 2002
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by dluv:
Thanks for the input. To answer the question above I did have the lights out of the car. It required very little effort. I am already seeing that this fix will probably not last long. So anyone considering this please be advised it may only be a temporary solution and not an actual "fix".
I think your use of the 600 grit is what is causing most of your issue's. You made a good step by going from 600 to 1000, but then jumped a mountian by going straight to 2000. Wetsanding requires baby steps.
General rule of thumb when wetsanding anything... Always start with the least aggressive method and move to more aggressive methods only after you find that they will not work.
Also, when you have to move to more aggressive methods, always move slowly to the finer materials. Hince, Baby steps. With paper, never jump more the 500 as far as grit goes.
One last thing to remember... when you get finished sanding and preping whatever surface you are working on, wipe it down with alchoal. If the defect that you was try to remove reappears, you need to start over because you did not remove it. You only cover'd it up.
In your case, I would suggest going over the lens with some 1500 paper followed by the 2000. Of course making sure that you never sand in the same direction with two different grits. In other words, 1500 one way and 2000 the other. Then hit the lens with your plastic cleaner and then the plastic polish. See what they look like then.
I have used this method on a good number of lights and even done them on other cars. A plastic lens is just that, a plastic lens. Since the weather here has been nice for two days followed by rain, I have not been able to wash my car in almost three weeks, but my headlights still look good as new. I have always cleaned and polished my lights when I wash my car, so it has been three weeks since I have done that. And they still look good. Well, minus the bug dug on there... 
Good luck and I hope you can get this to work out for ya. 
Phillip Jackson
`98 Mystique LS
262K+ and counting...
ATX rebuilt @ 151K
"This storm has broken me, my only friend!" RIP Dime
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Joined: Nov 2003
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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I have the same problem and a CEGer told me to get Maguir's plastic restorer. I'll let you know how it works.
"Eagles may soar high, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines."
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Joined: Jan 2004
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New CEG\'er
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I did mine too! They look brand new afterwards. I used an 800, 1200, 1500, 2000 grit in sequence and finished them up by polishing them with Brasso.
1998 Contour LX, 2.5L V6
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Try a bit of tranny fluid and polish them up or power steering...don't laugh...just try it. ( I did it after wet sanding, waxing, etc. Nice finishing touch)
98 E0 SVT with some stuff
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