I'm an idiot, ruined headlight
 

OK I was reading about people wetsanding headlights with 2500 grit sandpaper and then buffining them out. I wetsanded one of my headlights with 2500 paper and of course they are super scratched up. Is it possible to remove the scratched?

porter cable and some plastic polish and go to town on it.

a clear wax may be your salvation.

I will sand out curb in meisters all day, but headlights... nope.
Post some before/after flics if you can bring em back from the
dead.

porter and mayb megs plastic x?

I did this on my SC300 and I used 2000 grit sandpaper, rubbing compound, and meguir's Plastix. Try that and see if that works.

They are going to be super scratched up, because you just used sandpaper on them...

Now, you need to get those fine scratches out. Go to your local parts store and get a Rubbing Compound, and start rubbing on that lense. It will take a little elbow grease, but it will begin to look better. After that, follow up with a Polishing Compound, and it will look like new.

Then use a good wax on them, and they will stay looking nice for a long time.

When I got my car, one of the headlight's had some yellowing/pitting on the lense. It didn't look very attractive, so I first used 1000 grit paper, followed by 2000 grit. Then the steps that I listed above. After that, it looked so good, that I had to do the other side too.

I can also vouch for Meguire's Plastix. It works well for lightly faded plastic.

-Tim

+1 one, I've done this just last week.

Thanks for the input everyone.

Why were you sanding the headlight?

You can use sandpaper.. The very finest with soapy water.. Then use a fine polish/glaze/sealant/wax... :D

Had built up condensation on the outside.

I had clouding on my lenses and used FLITZ metal polish and they came out nice and clean. Followed up with wax.

Emperor, re-do with the 2000 or better 2500 sandpaper using lot of water and much dishwasher. This will make the sandpaper runs slowly without scratch, do so without rush. Then buy micro-fine rubbing compound and polish WITH a polisher machine about 1500 revs. Watch you wont overheat the lens. You will see the scratches slowly dissapear. Remember to cover car paint all around the headlamps! Then clean all and wax it frequently for lasting.