JDM fog light lense restoration
 

Got some JDM fogs for pretty cheap. Bought them off somebody who was parting out a front clip. They were pretty scratched up. I followed an online guide for restoration. I wet sanded with 400, 800, 1000, and 2000 grit. Then polished with some Plastix. The guide actually called for 1500 grit mixed in there. I thought I had some but didn't and didn't want to go back out to the store. The guide called for doing one pass horizontal and another vertical for each grit.

The results are a good start but not good enough. From a distance they look pretty alright. But up close you can see light scratches from the sanding. I'm gonna do them over. Any advice would be appreciated.

I wish I had taken a before shot or two, but all I have are the afters.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...49737949_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...05150258_n.jpg

One deep scratch that was missed. I may go back and start with 320 grit. You can also see the sanding marks.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...93494723_n.jpg

Sanding marks really show with them lit up
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...04339177_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...79282887_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...29963737_n.jpg

at the stage your at now you could also buy one of the headlight restoration kits with the drill attachment buffer and compound and i bet they come out looking near perfect

time for a buffing wheel and compound.

3m "perfect it" pad/compound on a variable speed buffer will make them look better than new.

Light touch tho or it will fly across the room.

+1

Unfortunately I don't own a buffer/wheel. I may ask around see if I have any connections that will let me borrow/use their's.

Did my ftp lenses the following way:

Clean with water, towel to remove dirt and so.
400 grit wet, 3 times (clean/rinse)
600 grit wet, 3 times (clean/rinse)
1500 grit wet, 3 times (clean/rinse)

As for sanding, sand for about 5 minutes and then clean with water, repeat 3 times and move to the next grit.

Polished with Xerapol plastic polish. Without machine
Sealed with some quality wax. Without machine.

There is quiet a gap between 600 and 1500, thas what was on hand. 1500 is the minimum i would go befor plastic polish. A final pass with 2000 would be best :nod:
The same procedure might also work on your foglights. The FTPS came out really nice, it just depends on how much effort you put into.
Polishing with plastic polish really is the hardest part, but if you have drill/ buffing wheel -> Easy :icon_tup::nod:

Sidenote, does anybody know how to remove humidity out of the FTP lenses ?
There is a small hole on one side but I cant get humidity out. Any tricks ?

Many thanks
Steven

edit:
ah I forgot, plastic polish is a must after sanding, otherwise these very small sanding scratches will remain forever.