CHEVY MALIBU?

[Deacon]

does any of you know why malibu's are so darn difficult to sand? Why is their hardcoat so much harder than other chevys or GM products? I started with 320 and used up all I had (about 10), then went to 400 and used probably 5. Never did get all of the hardcoat off, but dealer was happy. Any clues?

[just chippen away]

Chevy impala is the same. Different supplier. It is just how it is made... Now that you know they are harder adjust your price for the time difference...

[Roo]

Does anybody know of any other Chevrolet products that are like the Impala/Malibu? It definitely is nice to know ahead of time so you can schedule your time and supplies accordingly.

[Ricersux]

I'm doing a set of Lambo Gallardo lights and I've never seen such a hard coating. Its almost like I'm using a 3200 grit instead of the 320 grit. I'm using around 10 of these discs for 1 light! I'm wondering if I should go 180 grit or something. Anybody used heavier grits then 320? I have to restore the other headlight and I'm still not 100% happy with the first one so I plan to redo it. I mean it is a Lambo you know.

[part-timer]

I've watched a video and tried it myself a few times. For hard coatings, use a razor blade to scrape the old coating off first. You just have to be careful and use it with the blade perpendicular to the lens. I've not had or tried it on a malibu or impala lens(simply because I haven't done one lately). I think it may be worth a try though. Let me know if you try it and I will do the same to the forum.

[mend master]

I'm doing a set of Lambo Gallardo lights and I've never seen such a hard coating. Its almost like I'm using a 3200 grit instead of the 320 grit. I'm using around 10 of these discs for 1 light! I'm wondering if I should go 180 grit or something. Anybody used heavier grits then 320? I have to restore the other headlight and I'm still not 100% happy with the first one so I plan to redo it. I mean it is a Lambo you know.

Have used 180 many times on BMW, Benz, Impalas, etc. Typically use it on a D/A. Hand sanding with 180 can leave deep scratches that are nearly impossible to get out completely. It will still likely take a bunch of discs, but you'll get it if you work at it.

[candyman]

Ive done several headlights that were difficult or were painted. The 180 grit sanding disc works fine followed by 320, 600, 1500 and a polishing pad. 320 is too slow and takes several pads if you dont use 180. Doing this by hand would be a nightmare and time consuming. I know some on here have used a razor blade, but I would not recommend it. Fingers getting cut or possiblity of adding more scratches to the lens. I did a HLR job on a Chevey Cobolt that was painted 50% black and a spray on clear coat in about 1 hour using the sequence of pads I listed above. The lens looked new afterward. I have restored the lens on 2 vehicles in the past 2 weeks that the owners used a kit from the auto parts store. The lens were smeared and scratched as a result of the product they purchased and an attempt on one vehicle to sand it off with a sander.

[Dr.Chipster]

For hard clear coats I have been wet sanding for the first step. I wet sand with 320 grit sheet paper and it removes the clear coat fairly easy. I make sure to keep the paper and and lens moist. I don't use a lot of pressure. I then proceed with the regular recommened Delta Kits procedure. This process takes a little longer but cuts down on 320 waste. When I first started experimenting with different grits I tried 180 grit but it was to aggresive. It left really deep scratches that were to hard to remove. I have had a great deal of success with this process.

[part-timer]

does any of you know why malibu's are so darn difficult to sand? Why is their hardcoat so much harder than other chevys or GM products? I started with 320 and used up all I had (about 10), then went to 400 and used probably 5. Never did get all of the hardcoat off, but dealer was happy. Any clues?

The Chevy/GMC trucks are the same. Very hard coating. I know others have recommended not to use a razor blade but, I've used a razor blade many times now and removed the hard coating on both lenses in less than 5 minutes. After thats removed it's cake sanding from that point. Yes, you do have to be careful with the razor blade, but entirely worth it. Do like I did and pick up some junk headlights from a bodyshop and practice on those before you work on a customer's vehicle. It's much better than using 10 or more sanding discs on every job.