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Thread: Headlight polishing technique - GIF

  1. #1
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    albertq's Tools
    Can't see the finished polished lens. Would be very surprised if using steel wool on plastic actually works.

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    What is the liquid they are spraying? Toothpaste works very well on a soft polishing bonnet, or one of the inexpensive kits sold to do the job. Like you, I would be surprised if steel wool didn't make a mess of the plastic.

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    nova_robotics's Tools
    Quote Originally Posted by albertq View Post
    Can't see the finished polished lens. Would be very surprised if using steel wool on plastic actually works.
    I think you're right. I've polished up a number of headlights, and done lots of acrylic and polycarbonate parts that are not headlights. You can't even use 2000 grit to get optical clarity. I think that steel wool will turn that headlight into a cloudy mess.

    If you need plastic polishing compound, Novus sells some good stuff. It works. They have three "grades" of polish. Heavy, medium an fine. One of them absolutely cannot be used on polycarbonate.

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    Gadgeteer's Tools
    I've used toothpaste to polish hard contact lenses. Never occurred to me to use steel wool, but we didn't have access to steel sheep.

    Appears the wad may not be steel, but a plastic fiber of sorts.



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    Last edited by Gadgeteer; Aug 20, 2024 at 10:47 PM.

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