How to Restore a Pitted Headlight Lens?

[t6dpilot]

I have a set of SWB Hella headlight lenses that I need to restore. They have been "sandblasted" by the many miles on the road over the years. No really large pits, just lots of little ones. I am sure someone here has restored these and can share their experiences. I was planning on sanding them with 400 grit sandpaper, subsequently moving to finer and finer grit, and then finishing off with one or two grades of polishing compound.

Is this the correct method that others have tried or are pitted glass lenses unrestorable? Thanks.

[robmog]

try this:
http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT
or this:
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...ProductID=2024
but i have no experience with it.
bob

[Tangerine]

This should help you.

http://volvospeed.com/Mods/glass_polishing.html

[Fritter]

You can use those glass polishing kits which will help, but you will never get all the pits out no matter how hard you try. But you can make it look better with the kit.

[t6dpilot]

Thanks guys. That is kind of how I thought the process would work. I'll give it a try and post results.

Hey Mike, I had the 71 out today for the first time this season. Drove right by your house (well sort of) Gotta get together this season.

[Fritter]

You did Scott? Cool I am jealous.

My '68 is still missing engine, trans and rear suspension, but it's rapidly going back together, should be done by end of month. Rebuilt carbs, rebuilt disty, new TO bearing, tons of new little parts, reundercoated, repainted bits...should drive even better this year!

My '68 wants to stretch it's legs and DRIVE!

[Scott Clarke]

Scott-
Did you have any luck with this?

[John Straub]

Good question...has anyone tried this?

John

[t6dpilot]

Scott, I sanded one lens with 240 and then 400 grit sandpaper, then tried polishing with compound I use in the detail business. No joy! I did some research on the Eastwood products and all I found were so so reviews. I decided to save my $$ and buy new repros. Maybe I will give it another try this w/e. If I have any success, I will report back.

[Scott Clarke]

Scott-
The research I did found someone recommending starting with 600 and going finer from there. Here is a link that shows them claiming success:

http://volvospeed.com/Mods/glass_polishing.html

Perhaps 400 is too coarse to polish out? He was pretty specific about the polising compound used, also.