Our amber headlights CAN be de-ambered

[geraintthomas]

I've absolutely no idea what that means

[mavis.d]

Originally Posted by geraintthomas

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]

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

[geraintthomas]

Originally Posted by mavis.d

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]

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]

Here you go, these are the only ones I can find

[Froggo]

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

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by Froggo

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

No. It is orange all the way through.

[jbryshun]

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

[mavis.d]

Originally Posted by jbryshun

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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by Porsche-Eh

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]

Originally Posted by stelan

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]

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]

Originally Posted by CDNIcecube

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]

I agree with Pedro. Love my amber lens!

[rexcramer]

Long live the amber.

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by rexcramer

Long live the amber.

Originally Posted by springer123

I agree with Pedro. Love my amber lens!

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


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

[Geof3]

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??