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-   Boxster General Discussions (http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/)
-   -   Our amber headlights CAN be de-ambered (http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/51810-our-amber-headlights-can-de-ambered.html)

geraintthomas 02-06-2016 11:43 AM

I've absolutely no idea what that means :(

mavis.d 02-07-2016 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geraintthomas (Post 482896)
I'm hoping that this is possible by sanding by hand with some very high grit sandpaper.

I'm looking to do the projector retrofit but I'm too scared to do it on my current facelift clear headlights. So the plan is to buy some pre-facelift orange lights, install the projectors in them, then sand away the yellow so that they're the same as the facelifts. Then use my current clear corner pieces.

Anyone done this purely by hand yet?

I have done many sets. Starting with 36 grit down to 180 with a drill and sanding discs then 180 to 1500 by hand followed compound and uv protection. With practice it takes about an hour to 1 1/2 per light. If you're not confident doing it on you're own lights buy a scrap set and practice on those first.
Good luck
David

stelan 02-07-2016 05:42 PM

What clear UV protection are you guys using for best results?

geraintthomas 02-08-2016 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mavis.d (Post 483021)
I have done many sets. Starting with 36 grit down to 180 with a drill and sanding discs then 180 to 1500 by hand followed compound and uv protection. With practice it takes about an hour to 1 1/2 per light. If you're not confident doing it on you're own lights buy a scrap set and practice on those first.
Good luck
Davis

That's what I meant by buying pre-facelift lights, so I can practice :) thanks

jbryshun 09-11-2016 08:09 PM

So Mavis.d has been using a sanding disk attached to a drill and is able to do one headlight in 1.5 hours?

Wet sanding and starting with 36 grit? Moving up from there?

I think I like the idea of the sanding disk better than that of the dremel...

Anyone else done this method? Mavis do you have any action shots?

mavis.d 09-12-2016 01:12 AM

Here you go, these are the only ones I can find
http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a.../IMG_14141.jpg
http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a.../IMG_14581.jpg
http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/a.../IMG_14571.jpg

Froggo 09-12-2016 05:11 PM

Can you do the same process to the triangular corner reflector too ?

particlewave 09-12-2016 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Froggo (Post 509965)
Can you do the same process to the triangular corner reflector too ?

No. It is orange all the way through.

jbryshun 09-21-2016 08:30 AM

Does it need to be wet sanded with water, just a lubricant like WD, or just dry?

mavis.d 09-21-2016 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbryshun (Post 510854)
Does it need to be wet sanded with water, just a lubricant like WD, or just dry?

I use WD40 with the sanding disks and then water after 180 grit

MWS 09-21-2016 12:10 PM

Best tip I have for hand sanding headlights (I used when sanding "foggy" plastic)...

Start with the most corse grit and sand HORIZONTAL, then step down a grit and sand VERTICAL until the previous horizontal scratches are gone, step down and go vertical, step down go horizontal, etc. The reason I found this so handy is by changing directions you can easily see how much to sand with the finer grit to remove the scratches from the previous.

The other tip I just thought to mention is to avoid the temptation of skipping a grit....200 grit will eventually remove 80 grit scratches, but it will take longer and risk an "uneven" surface. Bottom line, use every grit and change directions after each and progress to the finest grit you can find. The results will be better than "professional" as hand sanding gives better control than any power tool.

Porsche-Eh 01-18-2018 10:55 AM

Once de-ambered, does the turn signal blink white? Do you then need to install clear bulbs that light up orange? I've seen threads about these for to other cars. Thanks

particlewave 01-18-2018 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-Eh (Post 560484)
Once de-ambered, does the turn signal blink white? Do you then need to install clear bulbs that light up orange? I've seen threads about these for to other cars. Thanks

Orange bulbs will work, but they give an orange tint to the turn signal area that you just worked so hard to remove the orange from.
Silver bulbs that illuminate orange are best.

Tsined 01-29-2018 08:52 PM

2k Clearcoat
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by stelan (Post 483058)
What clear UV protection are you guys using for best results?

https://www.amazon.com/SprayMax-Glamour-Gloss-Aerosol-Clear/dp/B0082LJMC6/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1517291415&sr= 1-2&keywords=2k+clearcoat

CDNIcecube 10-17-2018 05:35 PM

Hi all,

I am confused. It seems we have to sand the outside of the lenses , so why having to open it (in an oven, etc.)?

For those who use a sanding pad on an electrical drill, can you list the sequence /profession of the grit you used to ? I.e 30, 60, 80, etc?

Thanks!

mavis.d 10-18-2018 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDNIcecube (Post 581200)
Hi all,

I am confused. It seems we have to sand the outside of the lenses , so why having to open it (in an oven, etc.)?

For those who use a sanding pad on an electrical drill, can you list the sequence /profession of the grit you used to ? I.e 30, 60, 80, etc?

Thanks!

When I did them, several sets I, I used a sander I know others use different methods. I used sanding discs on a drill and started with 36 and went to 1200/1500 then paste and polish. 36,80,120,180,300 etc

Opening the light allows you to re-paint the reflector under the indicator as it is a gold colour painting a darker colour gives a more factory look

springer123 10-18-2018 03:58 AM

I agree with Pedro. Love my amber lens!

rexcramer 10-18-2018 04:22 AM

Long live the amber.

particlewave 10-18-2018 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rexcramer (Post 581219)
Long live the amber.

Quote:

Originally Posted by springer123 (Post 581216)
I agree with Pedro. Love my amber lens!

Awwwww...now there are 3 of you.
Maybe you can start a support group. :D


You should start your very own "Amber Nutz" thread instead of crapping in this one. ;)

Geof3 10-18-2018 11:15 AM

I kinda like the amber turn signal with smoked corner look. Contacted Woody to see if he has any. So, sort of 4ish in the amber camp, kind of??


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