Headlight Lens Cleaning

[Timmo]

ive done our partner and pops accord units with wet and dry and the machine polisher, 1200 and 2000g then machined with G3, repeated till happy and sealed with carnuaba wax, will pop the pictures up in a bit as on the phone,

[Simple76]

Turtle wax provide a kit (headlight lens restore)which I have used works really well.

[white exec]

I've used that too. Works well. Even the cream cleaner on its own does a good job, without needing to use any of the included abrasives.

[dave_xsara]

I got the headlights done today. Used a 3m kit a week pleased with the result.
Only trouble was that I used a lacquer to finish it. Looks well but there is cracking in the lacquer. What would have caused this?
It didnt ruin my work, but it's just a bit annoying.

[CitroJim]

Pleased I've seen this thread... My Pixo has quite cloudy lights and needs doing... I have Brasso in stock so will give that a go initially...

Dave, I hope the lacquer you used has not reacted with the polycarbonate to cause the cracking

[dave_xsara]

How would you know other than compounding it all off?
Would that ruin the headlight or the lacquer? Is there anything special that should or should not be in the lacquer when using on polycarbonate?

[Timmo]

I would have thought something is reacting under the lacquer, did you wipe them down with isopropyl alcohol or similar before? Could also be the fine hazing on the polycarb that you don't see unless it's coated??

[CitroJim]

Dave, did the lacquer specifically state it was safe on polycarbonate?

[dave_xsara]

It was the halfords lacquer (I know...). It didn't mention Polycarbonate in its blurb in a positive or negative manner that I could see.

The headlights were wiped down with panel wipe before spraying. Offside was okayish. Nearside had the worst crazing, but looks fine from a distance and doesn't affect its performance.

[dave_xsara]

Some photos. Crazing is worse on the rhs.

[dave_xsara]

Done some reading and it looks like it might be temperature related. It will do now until summer!

[xantiagreen]

Severe yellowing on V70 cracks and blisters at top, used wet n dry paper started off with a coarse 400, but if yours are just yellow without the cracks/ blisters you can use 600. I didnt use a polisher or grinder for the sanding, best to go one way side to side, but with the c5 ovalish shape i would go up and down change to 800 keep the headlight and paper well soaked then work your way up to 1200 and finish at 2000, then polish off with a drill attachment polish sponge or buffer and shine, you could wax them to stop sun damage. Makes a huge difference when you see the results.

Also had this but didn't use it on the Volvo as it was my brothers car, paid around £6ish late 2017 me thinks at the moment its £9 with the code, it also has a protective final layer, might be worth a try.

Good luck.