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[toller]

Took it for it's MOT today and it failed on two fairly piddly items.  First being the handbrake is binding slightly on one wheel (at least thats a free and easy fix) and second they said the O/S headlight lens is degraded to a point it's affecting the beam image, also got an advisory for the same thing on the N/S lens.  Not too bad but I really was hoping to have it back on the road today, all this motorcycling everywhere in hurricane force winds and torrential rain is starting to wear me down.

I now need to source an O/S headlight as i'm presuming it's a sealed unit and you can't just replace the lens.  Only planning on changing the failed light at the mo as funds are a bit tight and it's crimbo a month from today 

At least it's not as piddly a fail as last year when they rejected it because a clip was missing from one of the brake flexi hoses - I was rather furious then

[sneakypenguin]

bad luck mate, but as you say, at least they're not too serious or expensive to fix

[Marks DTM Calib]

So, service the handbrake properly (as per the guide) and strip the headlights and clean them up.

Zero cost

[toller]

Handbrake is easy enough but what would you recommend for the headlights?   Am I looking at a tube of rubbing compound and lots of elbow grease or this there an easier way.

[Cookie Monster]

Maybe i`m being a bit of an old woman or prudish but... i know it must be frustrating to say the least but is the f ...ing etc really needed on here ?
I can swear with the best of them but everything has its place.. sorry if people think i`m being too prudish its just my feelings

[Marks DTM Calib]

Handbrake is easy enough but what would you recommend for the headlights?   Am I looking at a tube of rubbing compound and lots of elbow grease or this there an easier way.

1200 wet and dry (wet) followed by a good cutting compound to finish.

I assume they looked clouded

[toller]

The one he failed it on definately looks clouded and is ever so slightly yellow,  the other looks a little hazy but is still fairly clear and not yellow.

Looks like i'll be giving my arms a workout this weekend.

[goonv6]

Handbrake is easy enough but what would you recommend for the headlights?   Am I looking at a tube of rubbing compound and lots of elbow grease or this there an easier way.

1200 wet and dry (wet) followed by a good cutting compound to finish.

I assume they looked clouded

What he said! I used to do these on fiat coupe headlights. What's faded in usually a laquer. I went for 1200 grit to 1500 grit, coarse compound and then fine compound (Like G3 and G6) they'll come out like new.

[Ian_D]

Guess you cant get the car to York? Would offer to buff them up for you! Would be like new in 20/30 mins!

[toller]

Guess you cant get the car to York? Would offer to buff them up for you! Would be like new in 20/30 mins!

Unfortunatley not, it's out of MOT so sods law says i'd go past about 50 ANPR's if I as much as took it to the end of my road.

Out of interest, would it be feasible for me to remove the lights in order to polish them on a very soft buffing wheel stuck on a lathe at work,  only ever polished metal before, not plastic and don't want to make them any worse than they already are.

[Lazydocker]

Guess you cant get the car to York? Would offer to buff them up for you! Would be like new in 20/30 mins!

I might take you up on that offer if we manage to swing by... Mine are a little cloudy

[Andy H]

Out of interest, would it be feasible for me to remove the lights in order to polish them on a very soft buffing wheel stuck on a lathe at work,  only ever polished metal before, not plastic and don't want to make them any worse than they already are.

Has anyone tried doing this?

I would be worried about overheating the plastic. Presumably if you keep it moving it shouldn't be a problem?

[toller]

Out of interest, would it be feasible for me to remove the lights in order to polish them on a very soft buffing wheel stuck on a lathe at work,  only ever polished metal before, not plastic and don't want to make them any worse than they already are.

Has anyone tried doing this?

I would be worried about overheating the plastic. Presumably if you keep it moving it shouldn't be a problem?

I've had a go on some bits of scrap plastic today and the results look promising.  You have to keep moving it around and use a very very soft mop on a fairly low speed but it did take out the scratches i put in with some 80 grit sandpaper.

I reckon with the addition of some fine wet and dry they should come up quite good, i'll be bringing my headlights into work tomorrow to have a proper go.

[Radiomarko]

There are a few threads about this. My lenses which are plastic were very yellowed and scratched, MOT was due so I used "Greygate plastic polish" and 1 hour of elbow grease, worked a treat, MOT = sailed through.

Buy on FleaBay or probably the suggested rubbing compound will do the same job. I did not remove the units only masked off the nearby paintwork.

[Goonybird]

Try T-cut. It is excellent as a plastic polish although you do need a bit of elbow grease.