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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,353
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,353 |
New OEM headlights are around $200 PER headlight from the dealer or BAT sells generic replacements for around $125 PER headlight that supposedly are not as high quality. Either way, you're talking $300-$400 to replace your lights. After sanding mine, I would never pay for new ones. Then again, I don't have the money to spend and I'm a cheap bast@rd so...
1999 Blk/Tan CSVT #654 - SOLD
2003 Suzuki SV650s
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 42
New CEG\'er
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New CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 42 |
If anyone would like proof of the wet-sanding process just take a look at Koski's Results. Trust me, even though the thought of taking sandpaper to your headlights might give you the shivers (I felt them too), they're sure to come out better than before!
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98 SE Sport
Setup: Stock
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,975
Hard-core CEG'er
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OP
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,975 |
Originally posted by Koski:
If anyone would like proof of the wet-sanding process just take a look at Koski's Results.
Trust me, even though the thought of taking sandpaper to your headlights might give you the shivers (I felt them too), they're sure to come out better than before!
Saw the pics and your headlights came out great.
Glad some CEGers are taking advantage of the Aesthetic FAQs! 
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 324
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 324 |
Yeah, your headlights came out awesome. After finding out how much they are... I think a couple hours of my time is worth it. Mine aren't even that bad. The one side is damn near done, I could get it better and want to finish it up (I did all of the steps, but just ran out of steam and wanted to get done... had things to do) but I want to know how you people are doing this in an hour. I folowed the directions to a "T" and after about an hour on one light... I still wasn't totaly done... it was a lot better, but that layer of coatings on the light is a total PITA to get off with 1500 sandpaper... let me tell you. Any other advise on how to get these done faster than I am now with the same results... I don't have a problem spending time, but sanding one square inch for over 10 minutes to get rid of the UV coating was a bit rediculous.
Advise here is greatly appreciated guys! Thank you!
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,290
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,290 |
Originally posted by WA2FAST:
Any other advise on how to get these done faster than I am now with the same results...
Start out with a heavier grit. I started out with 320. Results aren't perfect, but a heck of a lot better than they were, and only took 1/2 hour per light.
E0 #36
'95 Ranger
'82 Honda CX500
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,975
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,975 |
Originally posted by Viss1:
Start out with a heavier grit. I started out with 320. Results aren't perfect, but a heck of a lot better than they were, and only took 1/2 hour per light.
Will that get rid of spider cracks?
1992 Ford Escort LX-E
-Tracer LTS spoiler
-GT Grille
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,944
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,944 |
Originally posted by Cris'pus:
Originally posted by Viss1:
Start out with a heavier grit. I started out with 320. Results aren't perfect, but a heck of a lot better than they were, and only took 1/2 hour per light.
Will that get rid of spider cracks?
To answer your question, using a heavier grit paper will get rid of the spider cracks "faster", but one thing that I think a lot of people are not doing is working down to the finer grit paper. You just think you headlights look good after only using 320 or 600? If you would work your way to the finest paper possible, you will have the clearest light possible.
Oh well. I'm no preacher, so I ain't preaching! I as well am glad to see so many using the great how-to's in this forum. 
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: Mar 2002
Posts: 324
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 324 |
Actually when I did mine, after each and every time I sanded them, they were NASTY looking... all hazed over and gray looking... when I went to the 2000, they looked a little better, but still all gray and nasty. As soon as I applied the plastic cleaner and worked it in good... all of the grayness was gone... they looked perfect. You just have to look VERY carefully after each and every step of the way... my arm can only handle so much sanding at a time... I will sand for a couple of minutes, stop for one, then wipe it clean, look it over, then start back up again for a couple of minutes and so on. You can clearly see where the coating layers are starting to break, where they are gone, and so on... you work according to that (at least I did) and as soon as they are all off and the major blemishes are off... stone chips, spiders, whatever... then you progressively start moving up in grit count paper till you are done. Just note that they won't look great even after 2000, but once you do the cleaner and polish... they look awesome.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 324
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 324 |
I am going to do mine again this weekend... this time I have a friend that is helping me out and I am going to grab more coarse paper to break the UV coating down faster... we'll see how they go... I am excited to have new headlights cause mine are nasty. The one that I spent time on looks tons better than it did, but still isn't so hot. I want to get them like that post above. That's amazing.
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,290
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,290 |
Originally posted by unisys12:
You just think you headlights look good after only using 320 or 600?
Not me, I finished up with 1500. The time/PITA-quotient wasn't worth it after that for me.
E0 #36
'95 Ranger
'82 Honda CX500
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