polish and clean the headlamps

uncle buck · 14th May 2012, 16:50

Well as it was a nice day today I decided to finally sort out the headlamps. They were absolutely disgusting and looked like they were shotblast!

So i spent a good hour or so working on them, firsttly i had to rub them with 800 grit wet and dry working to 1200. After wiping them down i got some ferenza G3 compound and starting rubbing for all my worth!!. Keeping the compound cloth wet as i worked helped and before long the headlights looked much better. A good clean to remove the compound and then a rub down with G10 which can be done dry.

Once this had been done i got some super resin polish and gave them a good rub with that and left to sit for about 10 mins.

Cut some nice clean cloth and then gave them a good rub down and polish. They have come up much better, still a couple of marks, but i will get to them tomorrow as it decided to open up and rain.

here are the headlamps afterwards.

right before

after

left after

gratuitous front shot

greendriver · 14th May 2012, 16:58

Aw. Was looking forward to seeing the results as I have this problem, but I couldn't see the pics

handyjackdaniels · 14th May 2012, 17:05

me too!

Quote:

Originally Posted by greendriver

Aw. Was looking forward to seeing the results as I have this problem, but I couldn't see the pics

uncle buck · 14th May 2012, 17:10

All done!! pics resized properly

mikeart · 14th May 2012, 17:41

Just so I understand this, please what is "ferenza" and "G10" and how is it used ? as I need to do this as well on my lamps, thanks.

rovexCDTi · 14th May 2012, 17:50

Its a cutting compound like T-Cut (but way better).

I would use a finer grade paper, maybe a 2000 grit as a last step before compounding, it gives a finer, clearer finish. I would also use a bodywork polish after the compound to really refine the surface, and top with wax.

lovema75 · 14th May 2012, 17:52

I used Brasso on mine followed by polish.

You could use just about abrasive compound with care. Brasso is a bit fine so it took a lot of rubbing! But it was already in the cupboard...

uncle buck · 14th May 2012, 17:53

they are compunds that car painters use, after using wet and dry on the laquer to give it a smooth out and lose the orange peel effect, i use a small amount of g3 followed by g10, this takes the last imperfections out and small surface scratches. Then followed up with various polishes/glazes.

G3 is a cutting compound takes p1500 marks away always use with a good wet cloth or buffer head.

G10 is a finishing compound that you use straight out of the bottle for removing the last few swirls etc.

sorry its farecla g3/g10 compound. thought i got the name wrong doh!

The sun came back out and the last few marks were bugging me so i finished them off with a cutting head on my buffer and took the last marks away, a couple of coats of super resin and some glaze and they look like glass now

jonathan63 · 14th May 2012, 18:05

I did mine the easy way on my last 75. Lots a polishing cloth around a 1275GT inlet valve and popped into my cordless drill.
Took a long time becasue i was only using a rubbing compound but the drive made it very easy.

mikeart · 15th May 2012, 06:22

Might try the brasso, as that worked on some plastic type caravan windows, thanks for the info.

14th May 2012, 16:50	#1
uncle buck Regular poster mg zt-t Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Monmouth Posts: 63 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	polish and clean the headlamps Well as it was a nice day today I decided to finally sort out the headlamps. They were absolutely disgusting and looked like they were shotblast! So i spent a good hour or so working on them, firsttly i had to rub them with 800 grit wet and dry working to 1200. After wiping them down i got some ferenza G3 compound and starting rubbing for all my worth!!. Keeping the compound cloth wet as i worked helped and before long the headlights looked much better. A good clean to remove the compound and then a rub down with G10 which can be done dry. Once this had been done i got some super resin polish and gave them a good rub with that and left to sit for about 10 mins. Cut some nice clean cloth and then gave them a good rub down and polish. They have come up much better, still a couple of marks, but i will get to them tomorrow as it decided to open up and rain. here are the headlamps afterwards. right before after left after gratuitous front shot Last edited by uncle buck; 14th May 2012 at 17:09.. Reason: pictures too big editing now

14th May 2012, 16:58	#2
greendriver This is my second home MG ZTT 180 in Poseidon Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Croydon Posts: 3,745 Thanks: 44 Thanked 86 Times in 75 Posts	Aw. Was looking forward to seeing the results as I have this problem, but I couldn't see the pics __________________ *None of my troubles are Rover*

14th May 2012, 17:41	#5
mikeart Loves to post Rover 75 classic 4d ... lpg conversion Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Maidstone Kent Posts: 321 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Just so I understand this, please what is "ferenza" and "G10" and how is it used ? as I need to do this as well on my lamps, thanks. __________________ http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...ture12OPTI.jpg Seasick Steve = you can't teach an old dog new tricks An original radio/CD now fitted DRL's fitted below front bumper Refurbished wheel covers, and LPG system remapped next job finish rear sensors. Have a trip down memory lane! On our website.

14th May 2012, 17:50	#6
rovexCDTi This is my second home MG ZT+ 135 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Exeter Posts: 3,626 Thanks: 9 Thanked 42 Times in 26 Posts	Its a cutting compound like T-Cut (but way better). I would use a finer grade paper, maybe a 2000 grit as a last step before compounding, it gives a finer, clearer finish. I would also use a bodywork polish after the compound to really refine the surface, and top with wax. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

14th May 2012, 17:53	#8
uncle buck Regular poster mg zt-t Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Monmouth Posts: 63 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	they are compunds that car painters use, after using wet and dry on the laquer to give it a smooth out and lose the orange peel effect, i use a small amount of g3 followed by g10, this takes the last imperfections out and small surface scratches. Then followed up with various polishes/glazes. G3 is a cutting compound takes p1500 marks away always use with a good wet cloth or buffer head. G10 is a finishing compound that you use straight out of the bottle for removing the last few swirls etc. sorry its farecla g3/g10 compound. thought i got the name wrong doh! The sun came back out and the last few marks were bugging me so i finished them off with a cutting head on my buffer and took the last marks away, a couple of coats of super resin and some glaze and they look like glass now Last edited by uncle buck; 14th May 2012 at 17:56..

14th May 2012, 17:10	#4
uncle buck Regular poster mg zt-t Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Monmouth Posts: 63 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	All done!! pics resized properly

14th May 2012, 17:52	#7
lovema75 This is my second home 75 Tourer CDT Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Enfield Posts: 3,925 Thanks: 63 Thanked 431 Times in 237 Posts	I used Brasso on mine followed by polish. You could use just about abrasive compound with care. Brasso is a bit fine so it took a lot of rubbing! But it was already in the cupboard...

14th May 2012, 18:05	#9
jonathan63 This is my second home CDTi Conniosseur SE HLNav Tourer and a Personal Line CDT Conniosseur SE Tourer..for the time being. Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cumbria Posts: 3,639 Thanks: 340 Thanked 423 Times in 294 Posts	I did mine the easy way on my last 75. Lots a polishing cloth around a 1275GT inlet valve and popped into my cordless drill. Took a long time becasue i was only using a rubbing compound but the drive made it very easy.

15th May 2012, 06:22	#10
mikeart Loves to post Rover 75 classic 4d ... lpg conversion Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Maidstone Kent Posts: 321 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Might try the brasso, as that worked on some plastic type caravan windows, thanks for the info. __________________ http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...ture12OPTI.jpg Seasick Steve = you can't teach an old dog new tricks An original radio/CD now fitted DRL's fitted below front bumper Refurbished wheel covers, and LPG system remapped next job finish rear sensors. Have a trip down memory lane! On our website.