Notices
RX-8 Show and Shine Discussion of car care products and techniques

Help - How to fix Scratched headlights?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 03-08-2008, 08:45 PM
  #1  
Dial P for Phantom
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
PBlue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: East Central Florida
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Help - How to fix Scratched headlights?

My headlights are looking scratched, probably from me being very rough on them to clean them over time. Lots of very light scratches in the plastic, like the sponge wasn't a non-scratch one, or maybe very fine sandpaper. Its not THAT noticeable but it bothers me. Does anyone know a way to fix it?
Thanks!
Old 03-10-2008, 07:45 PM
  #2  
Dial P for Phantom
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
PBlue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: East Central Florida
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I remembered what I did that probably did it, I used an extremely fine steel wool on my glass because I had a really bad accumulation of water spots and the 9 products I tried hadnt worked. The glass is good as new, but I obviously didnt think about how the plastic on the lights would be softer. Still looking for a recommendation... Im thinking rubbing compound and a cotton cloth?
Old 03-10-2008, 08:01 PM
  #3  
sold the 8... :(
iTrader: (7)
 
05rex8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,917
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
that might work...but you might need to go a bit more aggressive depending on how deep the scratches are. i suggest a buffer. i work in a body shop and i buff on headlights all the time. come out like new. you can even wetsand them with 2000 grit sandpaper and buff them right out.
Old 03-13-2008, 03:56 PM
  #4  
Lubricious
 
Nubo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SF Bay Area, California
Posts: 3,425
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Meguiar's plastic polish was the favorite choice to keep the original Miata plastic windows clear and free of scratches. I also used on on other hard plastic items with good results. You want both the #17 and the #10.

http://www.bikedepot.net/meplca.html

If the plastic is too far gone for this, there are other types of kits out there with more aggressive abrasives, or you could even use VERY fine wet-sanding with increasingly finer grits and then progress to the Meguiar's for final stages.

You might even decide you don't like the ugly raised lettering....

http://www.miata.net/hakuna/polished%20lenses.html
Old 03-14-2008, 12:44 PM
  #5  
the swirlinator
 
joebennz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I second the meguiars suggestion. go out and try a bottle of Plastx. i would try that before i got into any wetsanding or rotary buffing of any kind.
Old 03-14-2008, 07:56 PM
  #6  
sold the 8... :(
iTrader: (7)
 
05rex8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,917
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
^i wetsand and buff them all the time with a normal compound...works fine
Old 03-14-2008, 07:57 PM
  #7  
Doppelgänger
 
mysql's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,192
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
i have a thick 3m clearbra film over my headlights. Good as new. Of course, it's the third set of headlights mazda installed on my car because they kept getting gunk on the inside of the lens... but 3rd time better be the charm.
Old 03-16-2008, 12:17 PM
  #8  
Dial P for Phantom
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
PBlue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: East Central Florida
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
by gunk, do u mean water vapor? My rear light has a LITTLE bit of fog sometimes but on old cars that means it usually gets worse. SHOULD warranty cover that do you know?
Old 03-16-2008, 05:34 PM
  #9  
sold the 8... :(
iTrader: (7)
 
05rex8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,917
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by PBlue
by gunk, do u mean water vapor? My rear light has a LITTLE bit of fog sometimes but on old cars that means it usually gets worse. SHOULD warranty cover that do you know?
just remove the taillights and drill 2 small holes on the bottom of each one...that will solve your problem...they will just do the same thing again if they are replaced...there is a thread on this somewhere....you should find it with a search
Old 03-18-2008, 05:43 PM
  #10  
hakuna matata!
iTrader: (41)
 
alz0rz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,002
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by PBlue
by gunk, do u mean water vapor? My rear light has a LITTLE bit of fog sometimes but on old cars that means it usually gets worse. SHOULD warranty cover that do you know?
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...14-07-1795.pdf

that's the tsb for it, definately is covered under warranty.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Shankapotamus3
Series I Trouble Shooting
28
03-14-2021 03:53 PM
Rx8 VA Guy
RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted
7
06-04-2016 12:42 AM
Danield97
Series I Trouble Shooting
1
09-30-2015 05:59 PM
jasonrxeight
RX-8's For Sale/Wanted
2
09-30-2015 01:53 PM
drlubell
RX-8's For Sale/Wanted
0
09-26-2015 11:58 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Help - How to fix Scratched headlights?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:26 PM.