Joined
·
38 Posts
I know there are many, many threads about how crappy light output is on these trucks. I replaced my bulbs and it was much better, but not nearly good enough. I've been mulling over getting one of those kits from Autozone/PepBoys/etc., but most people's household drills don't hit a high enough RPM for them to work (hence the bad reviews).
I needed to change a bulb, so yesterday I decided I'd just do it by hand while I had them out.
Tools and Equipment:
Close-up:
First clean them off with some Windex (the ammonia will help strip off any residue) before you start.
Then cut up the 400 grit sheets into a more manageable size, and after soaking them in water for 5 or so minutes (I used an old tupperware container) start in on the headlight ALWAYS SANDING/MOVING IN THE SAME DIRECTION!!!!
I can't stress that enough. I went horizontally across the headlight as it also allowed me to stand it on its side, mostly so I could move around. Be sure to keep dunking the paper in the water to keep the surface wet.
Every couple minutes wipe down the light with a towel, and as it dries you'll be able to see your progress, and which parts you need to concentrate on. Once it seems like the paper isn't doing anything, toss it and get a new piece. I used a full pack of 400 grit doing both lights.
This is the the most time/labor intensive portion of the process as you have to get through the coating and down to the plastic itself. Took me about an hour to get to this,
Don't be worried, this is what it should look like (don't mind the crack in the bottom, its sealed) once you've got all the coating off and have a nice smooth surface.
Repeat with every grit up to 2000. This takes waaaaayyyy less time, and you'll know when to move up in grit once the paper slides nice and easy across the surface. I spent about 5 minutes with each one before moving up.
This is what it looked like after 2000 grit,
It looks about the same in the pic, but you can tell in person and by feel how smooth it is. Now onto the polishing.
After drying the light put some Plast-X on a terry cloth towel, and work it into the light. Take your Dremel (again, only if you have one with variable speed) and set it to just above 10. Any higher and you'll burn the plastic, ask me how I know... ](*,)
You don't really need the Flex attachment, but it makes life so much easier so you should probably just pick one up anyway. Using the 429 wheel, move slowly from side to side working in small areas. You don't need to push down or use much pressure, let it do the work.
If you tilt it the right way you will be able to see what areas you've hit in the reflection off of the plastic, and it will start to look like this,
Flip the wheel (so you don't mix compounds) and repeat with the Cleaner Wax. Then, using a new wheel go with the Crystal Polish, flip, and then the Carnauba Wax (remember what you used on each pad since you'll use them again on the other light). Once that's done hit it with the softer 423 wheel, and be amazed at the difference,
You may have to repeat the waxing and polishing again to get it super clear, but that's the general idea.
Now compose yourself and start on the other light...
Oh, and you WILL be sore in the morning. Trust me.
I needed to change a bulb, so yesterday I decided I'd just do it by hand while I had them out.
Tools and Equipment:
- Wet Sandpaper (400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit)
- Meguiar's Plast-X, Cleaner Wax, Deep Crystal Polish, and Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax
- Dremel with Flex attachment (Only use this if you have the one with adjustable speed)
- Dremel 423 (2x) and 429 (4x) Polishing Wheels
- Loads of towels
- 6-Pack
Close-up:
First clean them off with some Windex (the ammonia will help strip off any residue) before you start.
Then cut up the 400 grit sheets into a more manageable size, and after soaking them in water for 5 or so minutes (I used an old tupperware container) start in on the headlight ALWAYS SANDING/MOVING IN THE SAME DIRECTION!!!!
I can't stress that enough. I went horizontally across the headlight as it also allowed me to stand it on its side, mostly so I could move around. Be sure to keep dunking the paper in the water to keep the surface wet.
Every couple minutes wipe down the light with a towel, and as it dries you'll be able to see your progress, and which parts you need to concentrate on. Once it seems like the paper isn't doing anything, toss it and get a new piece. I used a full pack of 400 grit doing both lights.
This is the the most time/labor intensive portion of the process as you have to get through the coating and down to the plastic itself. Took me about an hour to get to this,
Don't be worried, this is what it should look like (don't mind the crack in the bottom, its sealed) once you've got all the coating off and have a nice smooth surface.
Repeat with every grit up to 2000. This takes waaaaayyyy less time, and you'll know when to move up in grit once the paper slides nice and easy across the surface. I spent about 5 minutes with each one before moving up.
This is what it looked like after 2000 grit,
It looks about the same in the pic, but you can tell in person and by feel how smooth it is. Now onto the polishing.
After drying the light put some Plast-X on a terry cloth towel, and work it into the light. Take your Dremel (again, only if you have one with variable speed) and set it to just above 10. Any higher and you'll burn the plastic, ask me how I know... ](*,)
You don't really need the Flex attachment, but it makes life so much easier so you should probably just pick one up anyway. Using the 429 wheel, move slowly from side to side working in small areas. You don't need to push down or use much pressure, let it do the work.
If you tilt it the right way you will be able to see what areas you've hit in the reflection off of the plastic, and it will start to look like this,
Flip the wheel (so you don't mix compounds) and repeat with the Cleaner Wax. Then, using a new wheel go with the Crystal Polish, flip, and then the Carnauba Wax (remember what you used on each pad since you'll use them again on the other light). Once that's done hit it with the softer 423 wheel, and be amazed at the difference,
You may have to repeat the waxing and polishing again to get it super clear, but that's the general idea.
Now compose yourself and start on the other light...
Oh, and you WILL be sore in the morning. Trust me.