This is the very short version of the process. I have been trying various methods and materials for almost a month. If anyone has any suggestions I am very receptive.
Equipment 6 inch duel action random orbital buffer /polisher from Harbor Freight (HF).
corded
electric drill.
Purchased, tried and don't need or didn't add anything
forced action random orbital buffer / polisher
3M Perfect-it numbers 1,2,3 These are supposedly what most detailing shops use but the 3M system requires
buying a $500 dollar buffer. I used it with the Grant's pads which may be contributing to the problem. I don't know. I am amenable to
buying higher quality pads if anyone really thinks this may be the issue. I am not going to buy the 3M buffer. I don't plan on opening a body shop although I now have more than 300
sanding discs so I have a good start.
Process
Clean window very thoroughly. Go over entire surface with a razor blade to pick up anything that could get caught in the
sanding material. This can be done with detailing putty but I didn't have any.
3M 800 grit sandpaper dry then wet
duragold brand 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000 very wet - continuously irrigated sanding. stop frequently to make sure there is no buildup on the sanding disc. Clean disc with a clean wet cloth. Even the smallest bit of stuff can result in a huge mess.
HF headlight
restoration kit 1500 grit sanding pad wet around the edges using
electric drill.
HF headlight
restoration kit polishing pad with cutting / polishing paste over entire surface.
3m Perfect-it polishing compound on grant's fine polishing pad (black)
This last step appeared to make little difference. Under the magnifying glass you can still see millions of semi-circular marks. Very fine but enough to make the window look slightly cloudy when viewed from certain angles from inside. Repeated this step several times but it didn't seem to change anything.
Note from the outside the window looks pristine and a normal sane person would call it good. I am not a
member of that group.
Things to avoid.
HF sandpaper lasts about 2 minutes before it starts to accumulate crap and make scratches.
HF sanding discs film type. at about 90 seconds film starts to ball up and make deep scratches required going back to 600 grit to get them out.
HF/Grant's foam backed sanding discs 2000 and 3000 grit. Destructed in under 2 minutes.
Grants Blue compounding pad. Not sure about the yellow pad. Black seems okay.
Initially used a RODA 5 inch vacuum type buffer polisher with holes in the pad. Went from 300 to 5000 grit but there were many pigtails. I figure this is because sanded dust accumulates at the edges of the holes. But I could be completely wrong.