How to fix 5 series headlight polycarb cover stone chips & dips?

That looks really useful, although I've been lead to believe such techniques wont work on 'polycarbonate' plastic headlights?
 
Whoops, did the [] on your name wrong :D

I'm not sure about the plastic type, i'd assume that the Audi headlights were made from the same plastic as BMW etc (only an assumption, but i would image all or most manufacturers use the same methods and materials).
 
That's a nice finish, I remember a post not long ago showing an M5 being cleaned that was impressive as well.
 
Sorry chaps, just cleaned it up and gave it a better title to make everyone happy. Please continue... :)

BTW I have a few of the same "abrasions" on my headlight covers and am interested to see if this works...
 
NathanE said:
Sorry chaps, just cleaned it up and gave it a better title to make everyone happy. Please continue... :)

BTW I have a few of the same "abrasions" on my headlight covers and am interested to see if this works...
Click to expand...

No probs, it only takes one!!
 
I had some bodywork done on my 728i, cosmetic stuff.

Whilst the car was in the workshop, they polished the headlights - I actually thought they'd somehow broken them and had replaced them quick time!

Only when I watched the chap do pretty much whats in that thread, to another car did I believe it.
 
If you have to sand back polycarbonate headlamp lenses you remove the anti-scratch coating. Unfortunately polycarbonate is soft as putty and scratches very easily...

Quite a few people on the FCCUK forums have done this, looks great for a while.
 
The question is, would you really bother on a 95 escort ? :p

Yeah, if its what you have due to circumstances, keep it and make good, but dont go to extreme efforts, just clean it and keep it looked after etc :)
 
T-cutted and polished mine, no chips though, they were just really misty.

100_2094.jpg


edit, found this though on a Civic forum I use re: T-cut and rubbing compounds.

"what you guys mentioned are temporary solution. Plastic has a layer of protective coat to proctect the plastic headlight and this coat get thinner and eventually gone over years which you will end up a yellowing headlight, espeically top portion for EK with direct sunlight on it.

You can sand it off and buff it back, but it won't last since the protective coat is gone.

There are several headlights restoration kit out there and basically what they did has atleast 3 steps of chemical application, first remove the last layer, then buff it back, and last apply the proctective coat on it to seal the headlights."
 
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Yup, I don't have a before pic but a few guys with the same car suffer from the same problem just after importing them.
 
My CTR headlights are a bit worse for wear I must say. Is it necessary to use a rotary polisher however?

I'll probably use a less aggressive method first mind you.
 
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