General Headlight removal

[DasArab]

Headlights on the wifes MK2 are looking a bit fussy from either road rash or UV light. Think ill get them off for a wet and dry rub then a polish up with the rotory. Do you need to remove the front bumper to get them off or is it just the bolts on the slam panel? Whilst were on about lights what are the headlight bulbs? H7 etc.... Going to put either 5000k normal bulbs in or might consider going the HID route. Sorry I know I should look up the manual for this but its outside in the car in the cold and im inside and in the warmth :devil:

 

[colinf1]

Dont trust the manual, you have to go out and check for H1's or H7's.

There were 2 different headlights on puntos, exactly the same looks, but some used h1s, some used h7s.

You might be able to pull the bumper out enough, but will make it easier iif you loosen out the other bolts, under arch liner. Also will make it easier to get back in.

You could on the other hand, mask around the light and work on it on the car.

Are you going the w/d 2500 grit followed by G3? That the way i done mine, turned out a treat!

 

[DasArab]

Are the bolts easy to get at inside the liner or do you need to take the liner out to get at them? Thanks for the tip ont he bulbs, will wait till the lights are out before I order the bulbs.
Probably start with a polish first and see how it comes up, ill decide after that if it needs wet and dry. Will most likely go 1200, 2000, 2500 and a polish using Megs 80 or 82.

 

[colinf1]

You can get to them by undoing a few of the arch liner screws & popping just the front of it out, then turning the car wheel inwards to allow a bit more space.

Its a tight squeeze and your more than likely gonna end up with grazed hands

 

[g50245]

Can you guys shed any more light on how to polish the headlights?
Does it actually work? How would you protect the newly cleaned lens?

I've read about removing the majority of the crud with progrsssively fine w/d paper (up to 2500), but what is G3 or megs 80 or 82?

 

[DasArab]

Can you guys shed any more light on how to polish the headlights?
Does it actually work? How would you protect the newly cleaned lens?

I've read about removing the majority of the crud with progrsssively fine w/d paper (up to 2500), but what is G3 or megs 80 or 82?

Yes it works very well. Here is a link to how to do it from another forum im on. http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1509464#post1509464 I have practiced it on a headlight from and Astra and its works superbly.

G3 is a cutting polish from Farecla and 80 and 82 are cutting polish from Meguiars. Remember that these techniques only work on plastic headlights.

 

[Ziggy122]

Yes it works very well. Here is a link to how to do it from another forum im on. http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1509464#post1509464 I have practiced it on a headlight from and Astra and its works superbly.

G3 is a cutting polish from Farecla and 80 and 82 are cutting polish from Meguiars. Remember that these techniques only work on plastic headlights.

Link wont work - have to be a member to sign in

But Its not uncommon - it happened alot on Detailing World IIRC when i was on it

Ziggy

 

[DasArab]

Ah, ok. Maybe I will do a how2 for here when I get around to doing them