Ok I decided to finally restore my gs 400 head lights. I first started off with 1000 grit sand paper and just let water constantly run over it and sanded side to side. I spent about 30 mins on each lens. I then used 2000 grit. Then i put plastx on and buffed with micro fiver bonnet on my orbital buffer for a long time. They looked alot better, but are still kind of hazy looking. driver side looks better than passenger side. I think I need to go a higher grit sand paper to get it clearer or I did something wrong. Here are some pics?

here is what it looked like before

 

ok here is after driverside done.

 

here is passenger side before job done

 

here is picture of driverside done but passenger side not.

 

here is with it all done. it does look a little better in person than with cheap camera.

 

full frontal. shot. I must have not done something right. What do you all think i did wronk? others turned out alot better. I may try rubbing compound before plastx. I did multiple wet sands and applications of plastx. I spent about 2 hours on it and my shoulder is dead tired?

 

Do you think the 1000 grit was to abrasive. I used 1500 and plastix and it did ok on a headlight in worst shape than yours. If you did 1000, would you have to go to 1200 then 1500 and work your way up to 2000?

 

maybe right. but that was all they had was 1000. I may try that. any other suggestions people.

 

did you just leave water hose running over it, that is what i did.

 

I would have to say that the bonnet you used was too soft (microfiber) try using a foam pad which is more aggressive. Also, you say your using an orbital buffer, do you mean like a porter cable high speed or are you using a low speed buffer? From the pics your lights look awfully hazy still, after a good buffing job they should be pretty much crystal clear.

 

using el cheapo low speed orbital buffer. I mean i used it for like 5 mins on each lens and it was like it wasnt doing anything to the haze. I dont have money for porter cable. Any suggestions? or what about rubbing compound before plastx. I have heard alot of people do that.

 

it is a waxmaster and i see they sale a foam bonnet. That would make sense. didnt seem like terry or micro was doing any buffing.

 

Do what I did. Buy a pad and ghetto rig it to a power drill. That will have alot better outcome than your cheapo orbital buffer.

 

Use HOT water wetsanding 1800 grit from PEpboyz. then Meguirs Plastx. A trick my bodyshop taught me. hot water dries faster.

 

Do you realize how abrasive 1000 grit is?? You have ridges grooved into your headlight. Try again and do it right this time:

- 1600 grit HAND SAND for 15 mins per headlight thoroughly.
- 2000 grit HAND SAND for 15 mins per headlight thoroughly.
- Follow up with 25 mins HAND POLISHING per headlight with plastX

Leave the swirling machines alone and do it right. It is very unlikely with your lack of experience that you'll be able to use a machine and foam pad on it and not burn the plastic. It takes years to be able to judge proper temps of the pad when buffing. Hand polishing and sanding eliminate circles and hazing.