Finally got round to cleaning the Headlights

[Mazza]

Not bad only had the kit 2 years !!!!
I have always been nervous of putting sandpaper on the plastic headlights and expecting them to end up clear

But only after seeing what Matt
( @Matt Barnes ) had done I decided I needed to get mine sorted.

I got a kit from Sealy which had all the stuff in it .. but the paper was 500grit, 1200 grit and 2000grit… so I ordered some online ( 5 of ea 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 7000) of which after using the kit parts , I also used the 3000, 5000, and 7000. just to be sure


Starting point…

after the first go with the 500 grit

This was after the 3000… and the left one not yellow like the right one

Looking a lot brighter so having dried it , remasked it to spray the sealer.
Recommended by Matt and better than the wipe on product in the kit.
3 coats allowing it to thoroughly dry between each coat.

Left hand one masked up and same procedure

Right at this point I will give out a couple of tips …. The kit came with a drill attachment which I did use to start with but gave it up early on and used the attachment to hold the sanding discs but did it by hand. I found it easier and had more control.
I did use the drill and attachments when it got to the polishing stage though.
The other tip is if you do this without removing the headlights cover the engine bay … mine looked like it had the effing measles when I had finished.
It would have taken at least an hour to clean up, but those that know my car cleaning regime, after about 10 mins got bored and shut the bonnet.

Back to the thread …

Both sealed …and allowed to dry

and now a vast improvement

A lot easier than I thought and after watching about 7 different videos on this subject there is no right or wrong way to do it … just don’t hit the paintwork

 

[Matt Barnes]

Not bad only had the kit 2 years !!!!
I have always been nervous of putting sandpaper on the plastic headlights and expecting them to end up clear

But only after seeing what Matt
( @Matt Barnes ) had done I decided I needed to get mine sorted.

I got a kit from Sealy which had all the stuff in it .. but the paper was 500grit, 1200 grit and 2000grit… so I ordered some online ( 5 of ea 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 7000) of which after using the kit parts , I also used the 3000, 5000, and 7000. just to be sure


Starting point…
View attachment 363477
View attachment 363479

after the first go with the 500 grit
View attachment 363481

This was after the 3000… and the left one not yellow like the right one
View attachment 363483


Looking a lot brighter so having dried it , remasked it to spray the sealer.
Recommended by Matt and better than the wipe on product in the kit.
3 coats allowing it to thoroughly dry between each coat.

View attachment 363485


Left hand one masked up and same procedure
View attachment 363487

Right at this point I will give out a couple of tips …. The kit came with a drill attachment which I did use to start with but gave it up early on and used the attachment to hold the sanding discs but did it by hand. I found it easier and had more control.
I did use the drill and attachments when it got to the polishing stage though.
The other tip is if you do this without removing the headlights cover the engine bay … mine looked like it had the effing measles when I had finished.
It would have taken at least an hour to clean up, but those that know my car cleaning regime, after about 10 mins got bored and shut the bonnet.

Back to the thread …View attachment 363489
Both sealed …and allowed to dry

and now a vast improvement
View attachment 363491
A lot easier than I thought and after watching about 7 different videos on this subject there is no right or wrong way to do it … just don’t hit the paintwork

well done @Mazza !... fortune favours the brave !.... oh yes the flipping of the polish..... as I had my headlights off, it was just the entire inside of my garage that got peppered !

 

[Mint]

Good effort Malc, I did mine a few years ago and you do have to be prepared for the headlight to look a lot worse before it gets better

 

[Mazza]

Fortunately Matt warned me about that!!

Got the bug now …so Oil / filter change and front discs and pads tomorrow

 

[mikeyH]

What sealant did you use please.

 

[Mazza]

 

[Mazza]

As mentioned earlier I was going to get up today and do the oil & filter change and front discs and brake pads.

But not off to a good start……
First it said do it on level ground … my front paved area isn‘t flat to I will have to jack the car and level it ( but it will give me more room underneath) .
The next issue is the filter kit

I have looked at RealOem and nowhere does it say about the copper washer thats included in the kit !!!!!
So can anyone enlighten me as to where it goes? Too small to be a sump plug washer.

I dont want to just leave it out if its meant to be fitted.

 

[Ianmc]

Decent kits normally come with a sump plug washer. Are you sure it's too small?

 

[Mazza]

Thanks for the reply Ian

I always thought the sump plug used a aluminium washer with quite a large surface area ???
this seems too small … but I will check it as I think I have a new sump plug somewhere in my spare’s emporium!!

 

[Matt Barnes]

Thanks for the reply Ian

I always thought the sump plug used a aluminium washer with quite a large surface area ???
this seems too small … but I will check it as I think I have a new sump plug somewhere in my spare’s emporium!!

yeah the two O rings will be for the plastic filter spindle and the copper I had assumed for the sump plug...be interesting to see how you get on

 

[Mazza]

Spot on Ian…..( and Matt)
The one from the kit is below the plug and is the same as one that was in the blister pack
The one on the left was also in there but is a used one … I think that one was on a spare sump that I bought when I found the original one had a crack in it after the sump bolt had been overtightened without a washer
( not by me I hasten to add )

I did get the sump repaired so have a spare now !!!

 

[Mint]

I agree with the above - definitely a sump washer

 

[Mazza]

All good intentions to get it done till I laid on the driveway …. You could fry an egg on the block paving ….
even a spanner that I left on the floor got red hot

so will leave it either till about 6pm tonight or get up at 4am tomorrow.

 

[Mazza]

7pm and started by setting up the car level ,..

tomorrow will run the engine then do the oil change.

By 8pm half way there on the discs and pafs. Both side ready for quick clean and rebuild with the new parts.

Wont be an early start at I have a blood test at 9.20 … then 3 hours in intensive care

 

[Mazza]

Up at 6am and got the oil/filter change done.
used the washer in the kit for the sump plug
Ran the engine on tick over for about 5 minutes to warm the oil , released the filter cap and let it stand for about 5 minutes to let the oil drain into the sump.
No issues , no leaks and no pictures as you know what dirty oil looks like

Both torqued to 25Nm and job done.

Might do a cleaning job on the calipers and back plates later ( after blood test) Then put it all back tomorrow.

I did notice that the big outer seal on one of the calipers was not seated correctly on part of it , so will need to address that before the refit

 

[Mazza]

Finished off this evening once it got cooler…
Cleaned the back plates and calipers.
Then bit of primer..

Followed by the usual Satin Black

Then Reverse of how I took them apart

Would have touched up the calipers but didn’t have any paint so didn’t bother

and in no time at all back on it’s wheels

Quick run round the block … and it’s does stop , but will need bedding in a bit

one thing …….I did count all the parts so I would know if I had missed anything ….

ooops ..nearly forgot to remove the caliper hook .. just a case of too much

And a new adornment in the Lean-to…..

 

[Mazza]

I know some will find this impossible to believe…. but I cleaned the car this morning… and even detailed the engine bay to get rid of the ‘measles’ from cleaning the headlights….

When I say detailed ……

And it started afterwards

 

[Ianmc]

Now the black plastic needs treatment and the cam cover a polish. You'll never win a concourse competition without doing that