How to remove clearcoat from headlight lens?

SP33DN3ON · Post by **SP33DN3ON** » Sun Sep 05, 2010 10:46 pm

When I got my car fully repainted I found out that I have clear coat on my headlights and my grille.
What product/method is the easiest and gives best results?
I was thinking paint thinner for the headlights, but I am not sure if it will do something to the plastic.
Any ides? Thanks!

titansxt · Post by **titansxt** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 12:15 am

Whitening toothpaste and lots of rubbing.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 2:47 am

I don't get what you are asking. The title says: "remove clearcoat/scratches." Do you want to remove the clearcoat, or scratches from the clearcoat?

SP33DN3ON · Post by **SP33DN3ON** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 3:16 am

clearcoat and scratches
Hooray for 44 views and 1 answer

theTeejmiester · Post by **theTeejmiester** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 3:10 pm

wet sand with 600 grit until all the clear is gone and then buff out with 800 grit, 1000 1500 and 2000-2500and then polishing compound, i have done this to 2 sets of headlamps and it works great

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 3:48 pm

SP33DN3ON wrote:clearcoat and scratches
Hooray for 44 views and 1 answer

That's why a clear statement of what you need help with is important.

Now that people know what you want to do...

theTeejmiester wrote:wet sand with 600 grit until all the clear is gone and then buff out with 800 grit, 1000 1500 and 2000-2500and then polishing compound, i have done this to 2 sets of headlamps and it works great

This is going to be your best bet. Curious though, why do you need the clearcoat off? If anything, it's going to protect the lens better from yellowing. Once you sand it, you are going to have to maintain them well or they will fade and yellow.

SP33DN3ON · Post by **SP33DN3ON** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 1:47 am

Thanks, but I am not going to sand my headlights.
I found another easier way to take off the cleartcoat and scratches off.

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:13 am

well, it might behoove you to share that here in case, though unlikely, someone may search for this same answer.

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:14 am

SP33DN3ON wrote:Thanks, but I am not going to sand my headlights.
I found another easier way to take off the cleartcoat and scratches off.

Lol. *SPOILER ALERT!!* Dude probably bought new headlights.

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 1:16 pm

That is probably the easiest way to solve the problem, Adam.

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 2:16 pm

I'm sure it's what OP did.

RADARsx 2.0 · Post by **RADARsx 2.0** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:46 pm

I would say the cheapest and probably least amount of work to use is Acetone...just put it on and scrub with a tooth brush of a brisseled brush like that and it will take it off. I used it on my car when I noticed one tail was darker than the other with the clear and night shade on it...took me like 5 mins to get it back to stock.

and the 1liter/1/3'ish gallon) here cost like 10 bucks

Hope this helps

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 1:05 am

hansken_yo wrote:well, it might behoove you to share that here in case, though unlikely, someone may search for this same answer.

I swear if I ever hear that word spoken to me when I'm out of the Marines, "behoove", I'm gonna bitch slap someone.