ascMcLaren Enthusiasts Forum Index ascMcLaren Enthusiasts
An asc McLaren forum for ALL Mustang and Capri based cars modified by Automotive Speciality Corporation, a Division of American Sunroof Corporation.
(a trademarked corporation) with no affilation to this site.
 
 AlbumAlbum   FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Headlight restoration

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    ascMcLaren Enthusiasts Forum Index -> ASC Discussions
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
bryan



Joined: 30 Aug 2004
Posts: 143
Location: Atlanta, GA

PostPosted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 4:16 am    Post subject: Headlight restoration Reply with quote

Some gal backed into me and caused minor damage to my car a while back. I got it fixed, and now one headlight is noticably nicer than the other. Unhappy I polished the old one's lens, and it looks A LOT better, but there is still a big difference.

Has anyone had any luck taking them apart to polish the reflective material with something, or will it rub right off? Am I just SOL?

Any tips would be appreciated. I hate to buy a new one.
_________________
'87 Guards Red ascMcLaren (#398)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Album
Sandy



Joined: 26 Aug 2004
Posts: 6205
Location: Northern New Jersey GSP Exit 148

PostPosted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 4:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

On another board that I used to be on, many people got like new results (Ford Product) with a toothbtush & toothpaste, noteably Pepsident. Putting the toothpaste on a brush and scrubbing it in a small setion at a time and then rinsing ot off. (Or at least they so reported....) Get yourself a FIRM bristle toothbrush & some Pepsident......give it a go.
_________________
Sandy passed away in 2012. He will be forever missed.

1990 Final Car prior to the 12 Silver Anny Editions
1990 Silver Pearl Anny Edition
1986 Coupe Full Pkg #109 of 114.

http://public.fotki.com/ascmclaren/ascmclaren_capris/sandys_mclarens/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Album
Euro#13



Joined: 30 Aug 2004
Posts: 196
Location: Michigan

PostPosted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 4:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If the polishing technique doesn't give you the results you want, you can purchase reproduction headlights from the various Mustang restoration companies out there.

Depending on your budget, you can purchase reproduction headlight assemblies (housing, seal, adjusting plate, adjusting screw, light socket & bulb) for about $100 per side.

Or you can purchase just the headlight housing only for about $40 per side.

Of course there is a chance that the O.E. housings are still available directly from Ford, but expect to pay more for an original part.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Album
Sandy



Joined: 26 Aug 2004
Posts: 6205
Location: Northern New Jersey GSP Exit 148

PostPosted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 6:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Try the toothpaste. The folks over on a Mark 7 board I used to go to had dingy brownish-grey headlight covers, and one guy who was a jeweler took one off and began playing with it, and used several different things (including the polishers they use on different items found within a jewelry store,) and somehow came to the toothpaste. I saw (he posted) pictures and they were looking like 1-year old afterward. They way they actually were, was almost non-transparent. Most you have to lose is the cost of a no-frills firm toothbrush and a little time.
_________________
Sandy passed away in 2012. He will be forever missed.

1990 Final Car prior to the 12 Silver Anny Editions
1990 Silver Pearl Anny Edition
1986 Coupe Full Pkg #109 of 114.

http://public.fotki.com/ascmclaren/ascmclaren_capris/sandys_mclarens/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Album
bryan



Joined: 30 Aug 2004
Posts: 143
Location: Atlanta, GA

PostPosted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 8:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks, Sandy. I'll try that. I had initial good results with some plastic polish. I'd heard toothpaste is a good mild abrasive, but I didn't think to try it. I'll let you know how it works out.
_________________
'87 Guards Red ascMcLaren (#398)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Album
svo413



Joined: 29 Aug 2004
Posts: 752
Location: San Mateo, California

PostPosted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 11:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

One or two things usually happens to the head lights. The plastic breaks down on the outside and the previously listed polishing works. The other thing that happens is yellowing which is often on the inside. I've heard soaking them in Tang (breakfast drink) mixture removes the yellowing.

You may have to get a bit more aggressive on the polishing. Maybe start with wet sanding and finishing off with a buffing wheel designed for plastics.
_________________
Kevin Gold card MCA Judge for Fox Body
85 ASC Vert #612205
88 ASC Vert #542 20,550 miles
84 SVO 24,000 miles, 84 GT Turbo Vert.
03 Mach I, 89 LX Vert, 74 Mustang II
14 CA Special, 69 Mustang coupe, 07 GT500
67 T-bird, 15 F150 Tuscany, 16 F250
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Album
Sandy



Joined: 26 Aug 2004
Posts: 6205
Location: Northern New Jersey GSP Exit 148

PostPosted: Sat Nov 06, 2004 12:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is silly, but it popped into my head.

First I brush my teeth and then I drink a glass of Tang. Ummmmm.
Bryan, if neither of those work..>>>>>>>> Try a cup of COFFEE Laughing
_________________
Sandy passed away in 2012. He will be forever missed.

1990 Final Car prior to the 12 Silver Anny Editions
1990 Silver Pearl Anny Edition
1986 Coupe Full Pkg #109 of 114.

http://public.fotki.com/ascmclaren/ascmclaren_capris/sandys_mclarens/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Album
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    ascMcLaren Enthusiasts Forum Index -> ASC Discussions All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
Number of shameful bots caught by Anti-Spam ACP: 474