Refinished my lights - PICS!!!

[Gus_Mahn]

I just 1000 grit mine then blast them with automotive 2 part refinish clear. I wonder if all the superfine stuff you guys are using is overkill? I know the solvents in the automotive clear melt into the plastic and level out the sand scratches. I don't know if the mineral spirits/minwax is as hot chemically.

 

[G-RELL]

link to your "two part" ?

 

[mlara1129]

Repost

 

[mlara1129]

link to your "two part" ?

+1

By the way is the 3m kit supposed to come with 1000grit? I didnt get any in mine. Had to hit the light with 3000grit like a mofo to finally get rid of the 800grit scratches.

 

[G-RELL]

Nope...500,800 3000 pad, and buffing pad... Did you wet sand any of the stages?

 

[mlara1129]

Wet sanded at all stages, but maybe its because i started by hand with 320 grit?

 

[G-RELL]

yeah, you have to use 320 pretty lightly.... last set i did, I did not wet sand one of the lenses at the 500 or 800 grit levels... they came out the same, but made sanding easier

 

[mlara1129]

Thanks for all the help g-rell, and myfirslincoln. I definitely recommend this process to anyone looking to restore their headlights. Time consuming, and you may mess up your first time but totally worth it.

Quick close up of what i have so far:

Top one used to look just like the bottom one.

Cant wait to do my headlights!

 

[G-RELL]

Nicely done sir...

Yep, takes a little while... I'm still willing to refinish anyone who's uncomfortable going it themselves.

 

[mlara1129]

Done! And officially for sale...

Before(left already restored):

After:

Messed up the brows a bit but eeh its plasti dip.

 

[Ghost_Ls8]

How much for the lights Mlara ?

 

[NickT88LSC]

Pretty!!!!!

Before(left already restored):

After:

Messed up the brows a bit but eeh its plasti dip.

 

[antonio fuller]

Looks pretty good I have a kinda different issue my head lights seem to have got a little moisture in them not anything that would be a problem to the lights but cause a light fog inside the plastic head light housing any idea how to clean the water out

 

[G-RELL]

Looks pretty good I have a kinda different issue my head lights seem to have got a little moisture in them not anything that would be a problem to the lights but cause a light fog inside the plastic head light housing any idea how to clean the water out

Its most likely a hairline crack on the lens somewhere, allowing rain (moisture) through... You can take the headlights out, remove the bulbs and let them dry for awhile (or stick them in the oven on a low heat to speed up the process, and see if that works. I chased the same problem for years till i did this refinishing (above). the minwax process seemed to seal the lens and havent had a problem since

GL

 

[2005_LS_V8]

I have a couple of dumb headlight questions:

1. How do I know if mine are HID? I'm gen 2, 2005 V8.
2. How hard is the wiring harness mod to go to HID?
3. Can new light housings/bulbs be bought as a full kit in the aftermarket? Sanding looks awesome, but a lot of work. I thought wouldn't it be great to just buy an extra pair to work on and swap out in full. Or is an extra pair going to require a trip to the junkyard? I did find a monster junkyard nearby when I had my Buick Regal GS. Ultimately, I got a rear light cover from some junkyard in South Dakota. I found this junkyard network website that was really cool. They go get the part for you and ship it to you, still way cheaper than dealership.
4. Are those lights in this thread still for sale? Are they gen 2? Their is a harness mod for angel eyes as well I think... I'd rather have a mechanic do that, even though I have the skills and experience, just don't want to accidentally kill my electric harness.

Thanks!

 

[Ghost_Ls8]

look on the back of your headlight housing and it should say HID D2R on it

 

[2005_LS_V8]

Found it, yes, I have HID. That was easy! Just undo one plastic screw, lift up the edge of the plastic shroud and there it was.

 

[Ghost_Ls8]

yes sir, if you are going with an after market kit make sure to get the D2R bulb instead of the h11

 

[2005_LS_V8]

yes sir, if you are going with an after market kit make sure to get the D2R bulb instead of the h11

OK, will do. I just looked up lights on eBay and Ford Parts and now I get why everyone is doing all this polishing and cleaning and modifying of their existing lights. New ones cost $600+ each! Holy God! My right headlight points down a tad further than I like, told mechanic to adjust it, he say the adjustment tabs are not there. So I think I'll just get a new light. Not for 600 I won't : ) These tabs breaking off are common? I notice the ones on eBay make a point to say that the tabs are there.

Heck, you could make a part time biz out of scavenging and marketing used parts for this car : )

 

[Ghost_Ls8]

yea dealer cost for anything is crazy , text this guy and ask if he is still selling headlights and is willing to ship 773 934-5265

 

[joegr]

OK, will do. I just looked up lights on eBay and Ford Parts and now I get why everyone is doing all this polishing and cleaning and modifying of their existing lights. New ones cost $600+ each! Holy God! ...

Could be worse, HIDs are twice as much.

 

[larryljs1]

Ditto for me also, mine look as bad as your did!

 

[larryljs1]

What kind of headlight are these? I most definitely want some for my Lincoln LSE?

 

[LEOV5]

You will not find the oil based products in Krazifornia for sale at Home Depot or Lowes anymore. Against AQMD standards.

Great job on those lights!

 

[1LoudLS]

What kind of headlight are these? I most definitely want some for my Lincoln LSE?

every headlight in this thread are just OEM lights that have been modified...

for instance, the ones on this page are just normal 1st gen lights that have had halos/angel eyes put in, the amber lense replaced with clear ones, and have had "eyebrows" put/painted on the top edge of the light.