449er

Go ahead & try the 3M product, if it doesn't work, you know what the next step will be

Oh Boy

That's what I don't want. If I know it will work on a C6 lens like in the videos fine but I have no desire to change out the lens, I would rather leave as is. From five feet away you cant tell much, but of course I could.

Oh Boy

I will probably give it a shot this week, if the circumstances permit, no later. In that case as per forum rules I will do the write up with pics. As far as I can tell NOBODY on this forum has done it this way (sand and polish) and there have been a ton of bad headlights on here. This could be epic and I could be a hero, or goat. lol

That's good to know, now I have some hope. Thanks

87SAM

This thread addresses the same issues you have and it appears they were able to polish it out. I did not read it all.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...polishing.html

pewter99

someone posted that earlier

owc6

I should add that I did not use the drill attachment, but instead stuck the pads to my 3" Griots DA orbital polisher.

87SAM

Dang, I missed it.

Oh Boy

He has crazing, I don't and he did not polish it out, he clearcoated it. Everything I do not want to do and not the process 3m uses. Took him 5 hrs! But thanks for the link.

Oh Boy

I know you are following this thread hoping I do this so you can see for yourself. I hope I can help both of us! We are in the same boat.

I also have a porter cable 7424 that I can use with the 3inch backing plate if I need more than the drill.

mrk1957

I tried polishing mine with my 3" orbital. I watched countless videos and read many threads. I started off with 500 grit down to 5000 grit and then polish. I spent hours on them. You actually have to cut( sand)several layers of plastic off your lense. Dosen't work on a C5 or C6.
I ended up replacing the lenses with Morimoto lights. Just be aware, before you start, you can't go back. You'll either have success ( doubtful ) or you'll end up replacing the lenses or headlights. That's the real world.

Oh Boy

Thanks for that info, that's the kind of replies I was looking for. After you sanded the lenses what happened when you tried to polish them out? I assume you used compound and a orange pad with enough speed and power on your orbital.

mrk1957

Yes, orange pad and compound. I'm pretty sure I followed the correct procedure. I don't think the design of these lenses allows the sanding/polishing fix. I actually did the lense replacement, not Morimoto's I did on my now Grand Sport.
There's businesses out there ie body shops that do lense restoration. Might try them for advice.

pewter99

yeah, my wife ain't to the point where she is going to allow me to try this just yet, they ain't that bad yet

its different when its your car or her car

roadfun

check Sam's club for this service for $35 and 5 yr warranty
very good deal

diyguy

BEFORE

After wet sanding through polish
I did mine a year or so ago. They were horribly crazed and very dull. Started with 300 grit on jitterbug sander. Clearly this was going to have to go much deeper than I thought. Kept at it then went up to 500 / 800 /1200 /1500 / 2000 grit on jitterbug. Then switched to DA polisher with various pad and compounds Eventually I got them very clear - almost new looking. Unfortunately, now a year later and they are getting dull again, despite using different products for UV protection. The sand/polish method will work, but it's a temporary fix. I have new lenses but haven't decided when I want to tackle that job.

Oh Boy

Since I started this thread I have got a couple of pm's telling me yes you can sand and polish out including the post right before this one. I have also pulled numerous threads of past with members saying don't waste your time it cant be done on a C6 lens and it just makes them worse. So who do you believe? How could one person get great results and one say he ruined the lenses with the same method and product. All this does not make any sense. I am still dying to try this just so I can prove all the people who said it doesn't work wrong. I still am not convinced that C6 headlights are any different than all the other cars being done on you tube.

mrk1957

Then you'll have to go for it. Proving to myself it could be done is what motivated me. Please post how it works out.

pewter99

I think this is one of those things that relies on the users skill and patience to make it work out. Many times people think they can just knock it out in a few hours and give up before going the distance so they have a less than good product.

Oh Boy

But in your case it could not be done. You are one of the examples. It sounds like you were prepared and did your homework yet you are saying it cannot be done and you were unsuccessful. Two posts before your yours a member posted beautiful results using the same method. How did he get it to work and you didn't?

mrk1957

Very possible I wasn't diligent enough, but I spent what I thought was plenty of time on this project. Besides, I got to buy new tools. I'm still not convinced it can be done and in the end replacing the lenses was the best option. Time vs money. Time won out.
Like me, you'll have to find out for yourself one way or the other.