Need help

fairz · 01-09-2014, 12:38 PM

My headlights have spray tint on them, any idea whats the best way to get it removed? I am worried sanding might do so harm. ideas??

Haboob · 01-09-2014, 12:52 PM

Brake/Carb cleaner works to remove the spray tint.

Spray it on, let it set for a few seconds/thirty seconds, and you can wipe it off or just spray more and the force should remove it.

I did this on my dome light covers (spray tinting them, because the LEDs are so bright) and messed it up and started over. We started sanding first before I found the above technique.

It did leave a film, not sure if that affects the surface or not, as we just sanded the rest of the plastic pieces (because we already started that process).

Haboob · 01-09-2014, 12:54 PM

Goof Off (never heard of this stuff?) apparently works too, according to some Google Machine results.

GooGone may work.

jaedub · 01-09-2014, 02:29 PM

Have you tried paint thinner? Not sure if it'll work but at least give it a shot

fairz · 01-09-2014, 03:18 PM

will the brake carb cleaner damage the lens like acetone would?

Haboob · 01-09-2014, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairz

will the brake carb cleaner damage the lens like acetone would?

Honestly, I can't answer 100%, but there is a video of a guy cleaning his tail lights with this.

So I would assume it wouldn't, but I don't want to be the one to tell you, "No, it won't harm it." as I've never experimented on it w/a headlight/taillight.

fairz · 01-09-2014, 04:29 PM

anyone ever try good off? Tail lights and headlights are made of different plastic, I was wondering if anyone had any results with that

Bking · 01-09-2014, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairz

will the brake carb cleaner damage the lens like acetone would?

Check and see what chemicals are in the brake carb cleaner. If it contains any kind of ketones, then yes it will.

fairz · 01-09-2014, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bking

Check and see what chemicals are in the brake carb cleaner. If it contains any kind of ketones, then yes it will.

says theres Toluene,acetone,methyl alcohol,propane,and diacetone alcohol in the 3M carb cleaner, so the acetone thats in there might be a problem

fairz · 01-09-2014, 06:15 PM

I was hoping I wouldnt have to wet sand it off

fairz · 01-09-2014, 06:22 PM

I think I found the best way: DIY: headlight tint removal + headlight restoration e60. - 5Series.net - Forums

I hope that oops doesn't do any damage, it doesn't look like it would eat away at the plastic

USMCASA · 01-10-2014, 06:22 AM

wet sanding won't hurt them if you get them shot with clearcoat when you are done. you can start with an 800-1000 grit and work down to 2000 then reclear them. upside to this will be that they will never oxidize like bare plastic will

fairz · 01-10-2014, 12:23 PM

Thats what im gonna do thanks for advice

01-09-2014, 12:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
fairz Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 313 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 12	Need help My headlights have spray tint on them, any idea whats the best way to get it removed? I am worried sanding might do so harm. ideas??

01-09-2014, 12:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Haboob A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Surface of the sun. Posts: 13,159 Drives: '18 GTI Autobahn DSG Rep Power: 1387	Goof Off (never heard of this stuff?) apparently works too, according to some Google Machine results. GooGone may work. axmea? likes this.

01-09-2014, 12:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
Haboob A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Surface of the sun. Posts: 13,159 Drives: '18 GTI Autobahn DSG Rep Power: 1387	Brake/Carb cleaner works to remove the spray tint. Spray it on, let it set for a few seconds/thirty seconds, and you can wipe it off or just spray more and the force should remove it. I did this on my dome light covers (spray tinting them, because the LEDs are so bright) and messed it up and started over. We started sanding first before I found the above technique. It did leave a film, not sure if that affects the surface or not, as we just sanded the rest of the plastic pieces (because we already started that process).

01-09-2014, 02:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
jaedub Track Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 906 Drives: 2010 Black 370Z MT Rep Power: 305	Have you tried paint thinner? Not sure if it'll work but at least give it a shot

01-09-2014, 03:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
fairz Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 313 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 12	will the brake carb cleaner damage the lens like acetone would?

01-09-2014, 04:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
fairz Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 313 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 12	anyone ever try good off? Tail lights and headlights are made of different plastic, I was wondering if anyone had any results with that

01-09-2014, 06:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
fairz Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 313 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 12	I was hoping I wouldnt have to wet sand it off

01-09-2014, 06:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
fairz Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 313 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 12	I think I found the best way: DIY: headlight tint removal + headlight restoration e60. - 5Series.net - Forums I hope that oops doesn't do any damage, it doesn't look like it would eat away at the plastic

01-10-2014, 06:22 AM	#12 (permalink)
USMCASA A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NC Posts: 1,152 Drives: 09 370z CY M6 Rep Power: 18	wet sanding won't hurt them if you get them shot with clearcoat when you are done. you can start with an 800-1000 grit and work down to 2000 then reclear them. upside to this will be that they will never oxidize like bare plastic will

01-10-2014, 12:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
fairz Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 313 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 12	Thats what im gonna do thanks for advice