PlastX leaving extremely small Swirls on Headlights?

[the_invisible]

So today I decided wetsand my headlights with 2500 grit sandpaper to clear it up a little. After wetsanding the headlights using the correct procedures, I used M105, LC Yellow Pad 5.5" and a PCXP at 6 speed to remove the sanding marks.

M105 and the PCXP did a quick and fabulous job at removing all the sanding marks in one pass. I did two more passes to ensure I got even coverage and at this point, the headlights are extremely clear.

As a procedure, I decdied to use PlastX to top it off. I decided on this because ADS sells a Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit that teaches the use of PlastX after M105.

After working PlastX into the headlights for around 3mins non-stop in circular motion and with some passion, i realized that I added more swirls in the headlights than before... I immediately gave the headlights a pass using M105 and the swirls created by PlastX is gone.

Not believing what I see, I gave PlastX another go on the same headlight, more swirls. Some of you may say that I am not working in the product long enough. But trust me, I was literally diminishing everything there was on the pad.

Here is a picture of the swirls created by PlastX:



Excuse the white Infiniti M45 in the background

[Eddie6th]

Re: PlastX leaving extremely small Swirls on Headlights?

I answered your other thread and just seen this one.

I think the problem is just so many different types of plastics out there.

PlastX on another type of headlamp might be fine.

[Murr1525]

Re: PlastX leaving extremely small Swirls on Headlights?

How were you applying the PlastX?

[Andrew C.]

Re: PlastX leaving extremely small Swirls on Headlights?

Try using M205, as it is less aggressive than Plast X and should probably take them out

[the_invisible]

Re: PlastX leaving extremely small Swirls on Headlights?

How were you applying the PlastX?

Meguiar's Yellow Foam Pad, worked product in with high pressure while gradually release pressure until all polishes become clear.

[Murr1525]

Re: PlastX leaving extremely small Swirls on Headlights?

If you felt like trying again, I'd say start without the high pressure.

Or you could try something like the Cleaner/Wax worked in and removed. You'd have to wait until it wore of a bit to see if it really removed the swirls.

[the_invisible]

Re: PlastX leaving extremely small Swirls on Headlights?

Well I could remove the swirls quite easily with products such as ScratchX, M105 or M205 by hand, etc...

I am just surprised that PlastX would leave scratches on the headlights, especially since that it is a product with diminishing abrasive technology.


Seeing that PlastX is such an aggressive product to remove oxidation and inclarity, it is bound to leave some swirls on the surface despite the DAT. Since I went with the wetsanding route, PlastX could have been avoided by simply using a polish such as M105. Using PlastX after M105 simply makes things worse.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: PlastX leaving extremely small Swirls on Headlights?

Hmmm, I'm not really seeing swirls?

I see some pitting, which is to be expected (from normal driving, and not something polish can really help), but no swirls..

In the first picture I do see one isolated scratch slightly above and to the right of the amber light- but that's it.

Can you point them out?

[Megafast13]

Re: PlastX leaving extremely small Swirls on Headlights?

Yeah, I don't see any swirls. No headlight is going to ever look perfectly clear and flaw free!

I have pitting and other notches and nicks in my Headlights. PlastX and M105 can't really remove those.

Those Headlights look pretty darn good to me!

[imacarnut]

Re: PlastX leaving extremely small Swirls on Headlights?

Since the LC yellow pad is aggressive, you could always follow it up with a polishing pad to help remove any leftover swirls, etc...

[zaidgreat]

Re: PlastX leaving extremely small Swirls on Headlights?

Plastx seems to work better for me if i don't apply too much pressure... seems that the abrasives breaks down very fast.... resulting in swirls that might be caused by the applicator dry rubbing the surface..

[the_invisible]

Re: PlastX leaving extremely small Swirls on Headlights?

Plastx seems to work better for me if i don't apply too much pressure... seems that the abrasives breaks down very fast.... resulting in swirls that might be caused by the applicator dry rubbing the surface..

I learned that the wasteful way after using a lot of PlastX

the finish comes out relatively better with less pressure. Using an orange LC cutting pad doesn't help either. I thought you're supposed to use passion when applying this stuff...

[ianrayburn]

Re: PlastX leaving extremely small Swirls on Headlights?

My greatest nightmare are the plastic headlight covers on my Honda. PlasticX is not bad but no more so than toothpaste or even glass stovetop cleaner. Answer seems to be in the method. My current method, with the greatest amount of satisfaction, is a cheap ($5) battery operated toothbrush

[the_invisible]

Re: PlastX leaving extremely small Swirls on Headlights?

My greatest nightmare are the plastic headlight covers on my Honda. PlasticX is not bad but no more so than toothpaste or even glass stovetop cleaner. Answer seems to be in the method. My current method, with the greatest amount of satisfaction, is a cheap ($5) battery operated toothbrush

YES.
I have a glass stovetop cleaner as well, and it smells and feels in texture almost identical to PlastX.

Is PlastX simply a rebadged Glass Stovetop Cleaner???

Meguiar's Staff. Could you explain the striking similarity? Pure coincidence?

[Markus Kleis]

Re: PlastX leaving extremely small Swirls on Headlights?

YES.
I have a glass stovetop cleaner as well, and it smells and feels in texture almost identical to PlastX.

Is PlastX simply a rebadged Glass Stovetop Cleaner???

Meguiar's Staff. Could you explain the striking similarity? Pure coincidence?

They are both abrasive-based liquids... of course there is a similarity