Head Light - aka I just Did Something Breathtakingly Stupid!

[Twigg]

Two days ago a parcel arrived. Fred W had sent the headlight covers and they arrived really fast (I think he lives next door but he isn't telling me)

So let's go fit them, but first clean the OEM headlight. It's glass, right? So any old solvent cleaner will quickly wipe off a few encrusted bugs and make the light all sparkly, just as MamaYama intended.

Well no, actually, it isn't glass, it is plastic. Something that became abundantly clear (sic) when I wiped it.

So what's the quickest and best product to fix this:

 

[Warpdrv]

Get some tooth paste and start buffing that PLASTIC bro.......

Otherwise they sell kits at auto parts places to clean / clear your headlights......

 

[ionbeam]

Start here.

 

[El Toro Joe]

Two days ago a parcel arrived. Fred W had sent the headlight covers and they arrived really fast (I think he lives next door but he isn't telling me)
So let's go fit them, but first clean the OEM headlight. It's glass, right? So any old solvent cleaner will quickly wipe off a few encrusted bugs and make the light all sparkly, just as MamaYama intended.

Well no, actually, it isn't glass, it is plastic. Something that became abundantly clear (sic) when I wiped it.

So what's the quickest and best product to fix this:

Your credit card...

 

[Bill Lumberg]

I almost did the same thing. Every other bike I've had had glass. I noticed just in time that I was dealing with plastic. I'd use the stuff to clear foggy car headlights, after masking the bodywork around the light. It still might not work, but you have to try.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

Umm, this is a dumb question, but what made you think the lenses were made of glass? Tough way to find out they're not. I'd get some new ones, even cleaning yours will result in some light loss due to diffusion through the damaged portion.

 

[Twigg]

Umm, this is a dumb question, but what made you think the lenses were made of glass? Tough way to find out they're not. I'd get some new ones, even cleaning yours will result in some light loss due to diffusion through the damaged portion.

They should polish back to near-new condition. I was really wondering which, of the hundreds to choose from, worked best.

I thought they were glass because I have always had glass headlights. It's as simple as that really. I should have checked, and I didn't.

I don't rely on the OEM headlights much, and given the lights on my bike that damage is perfectly rideable. But it looks horrible and I don't have time to buy and fit a new one.

Bike is prepped and ready for a 48/10 starting in 7 days. The headlight covers were just a bit of insurance.

 

[Warpdrv]

We have an auto service center and we get kits that have 3 step sand paper setup, and then it comes with a clear coat liquid that you paint on and it dries.

I'd think that those Mothers Kit would work just fine for this......

Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kithttps://www.autozone.com/wash-cleaners-and-exterior-care-products/headlight-lens-restorer/mothers-nulens-headlight-renewal-kit/452390_0_0/

 

[TomInPA]

Twigg, the Novus Plastic Polish is the best on the market (see Ebay). It uses a graduated grit and can make acrylic sparkle. When you're done with the headlight, start on the windshield.

For the damage you have, I recommend using a 2000 grit automotive finish paper before buffing with the scratch remover, fine polish and cleaner.. This stuff makes plastic look better than new. Note, polish is not for polycarbonate if you happen to have that kind of shield.

 

[ionbeam]

Twigg, the Novus Plastic Polish is the best on the market...

^^^^^ I was waiting to get home to see what the stuff is that I use and this is it. Works really good but involves some physical effort through all the polishing steps, but it's worth it.

You may not be out of the woods yet, don't be too worried but be aware. An issue that may come up over time could be crazing of the lens. Some chemicals will cause crazing immediately and others can take time for the damage/stress in the plastic to manifest itself and this won't buff out.

 

[bigjohnsd]

The Novus products are excellent, and I've saved some pretty scratched up Acrylic windshields with some time, a lot of elbow grease and the three grades of Novus polish. Working for Memphis Shades at various Rally's has given me a fair bit of windshield restoration experience.

That said, what you have done is chemically etch the surface of the headlight lens. You will need to start with some wet/dry sandpaper, I'd start with #800, then go to #1200, followed by #2000. Do your wet sanding with a little soapy water for a lubricant, rinse frequently and change paper often.

By the time you have worked your way down to the #2000 wet/dry paper the lights will feel smooth but be hazy from the sandpaper scratches.

Then use the Power Ball and the Polish in whichever headlight kit you choose.

In lieu of a Headlight restoration kit you could use Novus 3 followed by Novus 2 and a Power Buffer once the sanding has been completed.

I've used https://www.autozone.com/wash-cleaners-and-exterior-care-products/headlight-lens-restorer/meguiar-s-headlight-restoration-kit/218632/?_requestid=4609632 with good success.

Plan on investin a couple of hours in sanding, and another 30 minutes in power buffing and final polishing.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Sorry Twigg, your lights are officaly FUBAR and you should just replace them. Once this starts, the polishers and glossers are simply a patch. You will be destined to repeating the cleaning process every 6 months or less. Replace your lights and just be done with it. Sorry man...That sucks!!

 

[gixxerjasen]

Thanks guys, needed this info for another project.

 

[bajaleo]

If you're successful at restoring them, let us know how you did it/what product you used. Mine aren't too bad, but if I could make em purdier with a little elbow grease, why not?

 

[bluesdog]

Once you've polished them up, perhaps using clear adhesive film headlight guards may help delay the next polishing job. I think the 3M stuff is UV resistant.

BTW, I debug my lights, (and windscreen, fairing, etc.), by spraying a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide & water, plus a dash of safe environmentally/finish-friendly cleaner. Also good for melting the insects embedded in the rad. Rinse. Repeat.

 

[Warpdrv]

Make sure you cover all painted areas around the lenses with painters tape.....

 

[PJ4863]

If you fix your headlights by upgrading ;-) I need the Gen 1 headlight protectors too

 

[Twigg]

If you fix your headlights by upgrading ;-) I need the Gen 1 headlight protectors too

I'll fix them with one of the rubbing compounds then stick on the covers.

I'll re-assess at the end of the summer.

 

[graler]

I am kind of partial to the 3M headlight kits. It is where my paycheck comes from after all. Besides we make really good stuff.