Headlight Lens Restoration Kit Instructions

List of Contents:

3" x 4" Soft Touch Pads: 120/220, 400/1500, 2400/3600, 4000/12000, 1 oz. Bottle Micro-Gloss®, and 2 cotton flannel wipes.

Determine Type and Extent of Damage and Starting Point

Crazing - A series of very fine lines, stars, or haze when viewed at an angle in bright light. Crazing is below the surface and usually cannot be felt with the fingernail and requires aggressive sanding to remove. Begin with the 120 pad.

Deep Scratches - Easily felt with the fingertip. Begin with the 220 pad.

Minor Scratches - Readily detected with fingernail. Begin with the 1500 pad. If the scratch is not easily removed use the 400 pad followed by the 1500 pad.

Hairline Scratches & Light Scuffs - Light scratches and hazing - Begin with the 2400 or 3600 pad.

Very Fine Scratches - Usually caused by improper cleaning methods. Begin with the 4000 pad.

Step 1 - Damage Removal

1. Determine your starting point. The Soft Touch Pads can be used wet or dry, but best results are obtained if used wet. This will also help keep the surface cool and the pads free of abraded particles. Clean, fresh water is an excellent lubricant and coolant. Water may be sprayed or misted onto the pad’s surface or dip pads in fresh water occasionally during use. A drop of mild dish detergent can be added to water for lubrication if needed.

2. DO NOT SAND IN A CIRCULAR PATTERN. Spot sanding in a localized area is not recommended. Using firm pressure, sand evenly over the entire area in a vertical motion, until the damaged layer has been totally removed. Sand the entire surface before going onto the next step. This damage removal step is CRITICAL! If it is incomplete, the final results will not be satisfactory. After 3-5 minutes check your progress. If it seems the damage is not being removed at an acceptable rate, you may want to go to a coarser pad. In the case of crazing, the time needed to remove the damage will be longer. Since more material will be removed to eliminate damage, you may want to alternate with vertical and horizontal straight line motion. Once the damage has been removed, end with a vertical sanding pattern.

3. Clean the surface by flushing with water, or blowing with air.

4. Proceed to the next finer Soft Touch Pad. Pads range from coarse to fine:
120, 220, 400, 1500, 2400, 3600, 4000 and 12000. Sand at a 90º angle from the previous step. Continue sanding until the previous sanding pattern has been completely removed. If water is being used, it will be necessary to dry the surface completely to determine that the previous pattern has been removed. The use of 100% cotton flannel is recommended. Avoid synthetics and paper towels, as these both tend to cause scratches in plastic.

Step Two - Surface Restoral

1. After the surface has been sanded with the 400 pad, begin with the 1500 pad, and sand at a 90º angle from the previous sanding pattern. Continue until the previous pattern is again removed.

2. Proceed as above through all Soft Touch Pads included in the kit. Be sure to change the sanding direction 90º with each step and check for total removal of each scratch pattern. If coarser scratches remain at any step, they will probably still be visible at the end leaving an incomplete restoral and a hazy finish.

3. When you have finished with the 12000 Soft Touch Pad, and are satisfied with the surface appearance, clean the surface thoroughly.

4. Once the surface has been sufficiently cleaned, flush with water. Using one of the flannel cloths included in this kit, wipe the lens. Dampen the flannel with water and apply a dime size drop of Micro-Gloss to the flannel. Rub briskly over a square foot area. Work in a straight line pattern. Use firm pressure for 1 to 2 minutes, until Micro-Gloss has almost disappeared. Water may be added to extend working time. Continue in 1 foot areas, overlapping slightly until the entire surface has been worked. Rinse the surface with water and wipe clean. Dry with the second flannel cloth.

Note: Keep the flannel clean and you can use it many times. Rinsing is needed to remove dirt and abrasive particles that are trapped in the flannel. Rinse and dry the Micro-Mesh Soft Touch Pads and store for reuse in the future. Keep the Micro-Gloss from freezing temperatures.

Clean lenses on a regular basis with Micro-Gloss to keep them looking like new.

03/15/03 - HLRK Instructions