"Aremmes" (aremmes)
10/19/2019 at 21:35 • Filed to: svended, headlight restoration, Miata
3
7|
"Aremmes" (aremmes)
10/19/2019 at 21:35 • Filed to: svended, headlight restoration, Miata | 3
| 7 |
The Miata has had a bad case of illuminative cataracts for a long time, and previous attempts to remedy the condition have produced middling results at most. Since I still had some time to go before beer o’clock and had nothing better to do, I set out to try my hand at curing what ailed the headlights.
I got this kit at malWart for fifteen bucks and change. It comes with 800, 1500, and 2000-grit sanding discs, a polishing pad, a Velcro-faced drill tool, polishing compound, and bad Spanish translation.
I started by masking around the headlights to keep the sandpaper from eating the already thin paint. Then I gave them a squirt from a water bottle and set off with the sanding.
After the first round on the driver’s side, things already were looking better. I switched to the other side before moving to the next finer paper.
Better. Lots of splatter everywhere, though. I’ll have to wash it off afterwards.
Looks good after 2000-grit, but needs some polish.
I guess it’s not going to get better than this without replacing the assemblies. Time to wash the splatter off.
Obama-not-bad-dot-jaypeg.
Okay, so they didnt turn out spectacular, and the lenses will become opaque again relatively soon. However, for $15 and under an hour of work, I’m satisfied with the results.
So, how’s your Saturday been?
daender
> Aremmes
10/19/2019 at 21:39 |
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Clear coat the lens ASAP! They won’t cloud up quickly if you use good stuff!
Cash Rewards
> Aremmes
10/19/2019 at 21:40 |
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Nice! Hope your hard work lasts longer than mine did.
My wife and I took the Miata out for date night tonight, and some kids and his girlfriend rolled up next to us in a 1.6 with a hard top. We said hi, he was super excited
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Aremmes
> daender
10/19/2019 at 21:44 |
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It’s in the list! I just have a lot of other tasks queued up ahead of it. Since the kit is still usable, it's not a long shot to do this again before putting on clearcoat.
punkgoose17
> Aremmes
10/19/2019 at 21:51 |
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Looks good.
MM54
> Aremmes
10/19/2019 at 21:54 |
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Not perfect, but they are so much better! Good work.
Chariotoflove
> Aremmes
10/19/2019 at 23:26 |
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Good work. Huge improvement for your dollar.
Svend
> Aremmes
10/20/2019 at 00:15 |
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Like Deander says, stick some clearcote on. Or in the meantime some wax, sealant or coating, anything with UV protection until you can put something more longterm on.