Volvo XC70 Headlight's

[Daddybongo]

Hello everyone,another newby here and seeking advice if you'd be so kind.
Unfortunately,i dont know how to post picture's on here so i'll try to describe the problem.
There is like a pitted and faded line acroos the top of the headlight which to me look's very unsightly.
What i'd like if possible is some step by step advice on the process of getting the headlght's clear again.
To hand,the tool's i have are a variable speed corded drill and a handle grinder,so that's if needed what i have to work with.
Obviously,grit paper and some compound is needed but i'd like to know what paper and what compound i need.
I'll try and get some picture's posted if i can figure it out so it'll make it easier for you to see the unsightly mark.

Kind Regard's,

Jason

[Detailing by M]

Megs heavy duty head light restoration kit will do you fine.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Volvo XC70 Headlight's

Hi Jason, and welcome to MOL!

It would appear that in the UK we only offer our standard Headlight Restoration Kit, which includes a wool buffing pad that attaches to your drill, a bottle of PlastX and a microfiber towel. In many cases this works very well, but depending on how badly the lens has degraded some light wet sanding first is in order. On this side of the pond we offer a Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit that includes the above mentioned items, plus one each of 1000 grit and 3000 grit sanding discs. You should be able to easily source similar grit, quality sandpapers locally and essentially create you own equivalent set up.

The process is actually quite straightforward: lightly clean the lenses to remove any loose surface dirt, mask off the surrounding paint with masking tape, then use the 1000 grit (or 1500 grit if more readily available) to do the initial sanding until the finish has a uniform frosted appearance, then use 3000 grit to refine the sanding marks and actually start to bring some clarity back to the lens. After that, the wool buffing pad on your drill, along with the PlastX, should clean up the 3000 grit marks quite easily.

It is important to sand properly, however, and that means straight line strokes and never in a circular motion, and to "cross cut" when going from one grit to another. So sand in vertical strokes with the 1000 grit and horizontal strokes with the 3000 grit. If you see vertical marks after sanding with 3000 grit, that means you have not yet fully removed the 1000 grit marks and you must continue with 3000 grit until you do remove all the vertical marks.

Once all of this is done, the original factory UV coating is going to be either completely gone or close to it. It was, after all, that coating that had degraded initially anyway so it's useful life is over. That means you'll now be in a bit of a maintenance mode and should hand apply PlastX every couple of months to keep the lenses clear. This shouldn't take more than a minute or two per lens, and it's easy to do immediately after washing the car. It's also a good idea to apply a coat of wax or synthetic sealant regularly as well.

[Daddybongo]

Re: Volvo XC70 Headlight's

Mr Michael Stoops,i salute you.Thank you so much for the detailed information.That is just what i wanted.

I shall get myself the Restoration kit along with some 1000 and 3000 grit paper and get the job done over the next week.

Over here in the UK the weather isn't being so kind at the moment but,i'll get my moment at some point over the next week at get the headlight's done.

Once again Michael,thank you.

Jason