Glass polishing? | FerrariChat

Glass polishing?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by plugzit, Sep 10, 2011.

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  1. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
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    Dec 1, 2004
    7,773
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Bruce Bogart
    The lenses on my fog lights are heavily sandblasted but otherwise in good shape. I'd like to polish or have polished the lenses. Any suggestions?
     
  2. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,041
    USA
  3. mikecrml

    mikecrml Rookie

    Mar 27, 2008
    33
    Carmel By The Sea, C
    Full Name:
    Mike Antoncich
    The Eastwood kit is good of the first fix. You will need to have the headlights clearcoated otherwise they will fog up again. Any body shop can do the clear coat. Best to remove the lights and take them to the painter. Good luck!
     
  4. porphy

    porphy Formula 3
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    Dec 9, 2009
    1,209
    LouisvilleKY/Switzld
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    Randall Gatz
    HAS ANYONE USED THIS KIT FOR WINDSHIELD SCRATCHES FROM WINDSHIELD WIPERS?
     
  5. vincenzo

    vincenzo F1 Rookie

    Nov 2, 2003
    3,373
    yes - used it on a '59 Alfa.

    The wiper scratches were deep and they were significantly reduced by way of the kit. As I continued, I noted some optical distortion forming in the glass. I stopped part way thru - left a bit of a scratch (gouge might be more precise) and some induced distortion.

    Overall, it was a significant improvement - but it was not 'like new'.

    Minor scratches might come out 'like new'....

    Definitely give it a shot.

    Rgds,
    Vincenzo
     
  6. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    28,840
    socal
    Hey Plugger,

    We call that "race patina". It means you drive your car. Good for you!
     
  7. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
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    Dec 1, 2004
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    Bruce Bogart
    Yes, I should have said "extensive race patina". I like that phrase much better!
     
  8. Nurburgringer

    Nurburgringer F1 World Champ

    Jan 3, 2009
    11,177
    Texass
    I'm a cheapo - used this $10 kit from Harbor Freight on my wife's '99 BMW 528i windshield.
    http://www.harborfreight.com/auto-glass-resurfacing-repair-pads-67603.html
    BMW glass is known for being 'soft'; there was thousands of tiny indentations from road grime/sand/etc, visible in the dry but moreso when raining as they prevented a clean sweep of the wipers.
    I first used one pad on the passenger side to compare the results with the un-polished driver's. Significant improvement, so went ahead and did the other side.
    Going to do the windshield on my '85 CRX next.

    Last year I did the BMW's cloudy/pitted plastic headlight covers with the 3M kit, also from HF. Came out looking clear as new.
    http://www.harborfreight.com/lens-renewal-kit-67723.html
     
  9. theobordeaux

    theobordeaux Formula Junior

    Jan 13, 2011
    482
    Bordeaux (France)
    Full Name:
    Theodore
    #9 theobordeaux, Sep 14, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I know it's not very conventional but there is an easy way to make transparent its faded lenses. Of toothpaste or powder is better spent on the lense tarnished with a damp cloth and elbow grease, that is rubbing for a good half hour. The principle is exactly the same as all the polishing paste, toothpaste contains micro-beads that can polish the teeth. It is as effective and cheaper and can be found near you!

    Look this : [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCUKUThtZus[/ame]

    or this :
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  10. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,630
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
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    Tim Dee
    What professionals use to polish "glass" not acrylic is CERIUM OXIDE. we use this on an industrial level but you can get small 1 lb tubs.

    Look here

    :)
     
  11. theobordeaux

    theobordeaux Formula Junior

    Jan 13, 2011
    482
    Bordeaux (France)
    Full Name:
    Theodore
    #11 theobordeaux, Sep 14, 2011
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2011
    The result is perhaps not as good as professional products mentioned SoCal1.

    Or this :

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwLB3B5-IVU&feature=related[/ame]
     
  12. vvassallo

    vvassallo F1 Veteran

    Aug 4, 2006
    8,321
    Palos Verdes
    Full Name:
    Vince V
    I tried the tooth paste route, but found it was not as effective as the commercially available lens polishing kits. I saw where you can also use 800 grit wet/dry paper, followed by plastic polish. This does make the covering thinner, hence, more fragile to further damage. Now you install the polycarbonite covers.

    Dude, come over on Saturday and we'll take car of it.
     
  13. theobordeaux

    theobordeaux Formula Junior

    Jan 13, 2011
    482
    Bordeaux (France)
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    Theodore
    #13 theobordeaux, Sep 14, 2011
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2011
    Is for this I said :

    "Le résultat est peut-être pas aussi bons que les produits professionnels mentionnés SoCal1"
    Is an altenative solution.
    Is not a question of money but just for wainting...

    It cleans the headlights of his Ferrari as it cleans his teeth, who could imagine such a symbiosis? It's more than love, right?
     
  14. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
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    Bruce Bogart
    Works on glass too?
     
  15. theobordeaux

    theobordeaux Formula Junior

    Jan 13, 2011
    482
    Bordeaux (France)
    Full Name:
    Theodore
    #15 theobordeaux, Sep 14, 2011
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2011
    On nettoie les phares de sa Ferrari comme on nettoie ses dents, qui pourrait imaginer une telle symbiose?
    to tell the difference between glass and plastic in terms of the headlights of cars for the rest you think you have all understood. Our vieillle europe from which you are not yet adopted this distinction. Finally with regard to our cars. Our ophthalmologist would be very upset.

    Do not see this assertion as aggressive, but I like to let you know where you come from.

    Not angry?

    je reviens sur mon post, j'aime ferrarichat et j'adore des personnes qui y participent. Et la joute est toujours un plaisir.
    I return to my post, I ferrarichat and I love people who participate. And the game is always a pleasure.
     
  16. luv2detail

    luv2detail Formula 3
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    Mar 30, 2006
    2,289
    North Carolina & SoCal
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    Jason
    I bought the Eastwood Kit "Pro Glass Polishing Kit for Deep Scratches" about a month ago for the glass fogs on a 355. It didn't ****. I completely wore all 3 abrasive discs and the fogs were maybe 25% better. Reading the description from the website, I thought it could remove a ton of pits if it could remove a deep scratch. Then I got the kit and the directions say it won't remove pits. That info would be helpful on the website. I tried it anyway and it sucked.
    Bruce, call Dave Melton at the Auto Gallery. He has a guy that he took the fogs to that refinished them. He put some sort of glaze or something on them, then sanded them. then did it again and again. They look 100% brand new!! Flawless! And these had 21,000 miles of some spirited driving on them. I don't remember what he charged because I had my client call him and pay. Might have been $75/light. But I know its a small fraction of the cost of replacing a 355 fog, and probably the same for 348.
     
  17. svolk

    svolk Rookie

    Nov 8, 2010
    38
    Sarasota Fl
    For me,the polishing kits work to a varying degree depending on the severity of clouding, and the amount of "elbow grease" used. I have found on severely clouded plastic, beginning with 1500 grit wet sanding prior to "polishing" with the plastic cleaners (I use Novus #1,#2,#3 products) significantly speeds the process.The amount of material removed I feel is negliglble.........
     
  18. luv2detail

    luv2detail Formula 3
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    lol. Meant to say it didn't DO ****.

    Bruce, I forgot to put Dave Melton's number at AG, if you want it. 818-932-1708.
     
  19. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
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    Dec 1, 2004
    7,773
    Redondo Beach, CA
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    Bruce Bogart
    I'm talking about GLASS
    Yeah, I was driving by HF the other day and bought the $10 kit. It did nothing, as was your experience. Maybe it would clean up slight wiper scratches. Maybe I'll dink around with it a little more before taking it to a pro. I wonder if using 1500 on GLASS is ok. Let's not get distracted by plastic solutions, that's for another thread.
     

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