Restored the lenses on all the top side bomar hatches for about $15 bucks.
I got the idia when I did the headlights on my 2001 jeep.
Use palm sander
1) sand off all heavy oxidation with 100 grit sand paper with palm sander
2) use wet/dry 200 grit with water and sand entire hatch lens cleaning hatch and paper regularly. Do this for about a minute or two.
3) continue wet sanding hatch lens and change the grit of paper from 200 then 300, 500, 800.
4) after the 800 grit clean hatch then tare a t-shirt up into squares about the size of a paper towel and fold them to fit the base of your sander. Wet the cloth and squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto the hatch. Use the cloth and Palm sander and continue to sand the hatch lense using the toothpaste as rubbing compound/polish with Lots of water.
5) clean lens with fresh water and then use 1000 grit paper with lots of water.
6) clean really really good with clean water.
7) mask off the frame with tape
8) spray lens with clear Côte that you can buy at any automotive store and let dry.
You may have to put 1-3 Côtes of clear cote if needed. If you skip the clear Côte step the lenses will cloud up over time. I think the clear Côte has uv blocker, plus it just looks better after clear Côte.
Absolutely amazing results! Wow factor 10 !'
Thirty four year old hatch looks just like it just came out of the factory.
For years I could see out the hatches and now crystal clear. Saved hundreds doing this rather then replacing the lenses.
I also did all the old port lenses with just the toothpaste and a cloth rag and lots of water. They look about 90% better, very little effort, great results.
I wish I had before and after pics.
What you need:
Palm sander, 100 grit sand paper, wet sand paper assorted pack 200,300,500'800'1000 grit, old t-shirt, tooth paste.
Took approximately ten minutes per hatch.
After I was done with the lenses I painted the frames with rustoleum aluminum
Wish the rest of the boat looked as good as hatches,
I will post some finished pics soon. Need a nice sunny day.
I got the idia when I did the headlights on my 2001 jeep.
Use palm sander
1) sand off all heavy oxidation with 100 grit sand paper with palm sander
2) use wet/dry 200 grit with water and sand entire hatch lens cleaning hatch and paper regularly. Do this for about a minute or two.
3) continue wet sanding hatch lens and change the grit of paper from 200 then 300, 500, 800.
4) after the 800 grit clean hatch then tare a t-shirt up into squares about the size of a paper towel and fold them to fit the base of your sander. Wet the cloth and squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto the hatch. Use the cloth and Palm sander and continue to sand the hatch lense using the toothpaste as rubbing compound/polish with Lots of water.
5) clean lens with fresh water and then use 1000 grit paper with lots of water.
6) clean really really good with clean water.
7) mask off the frame with tape
8) spray lens with clear Côte that you can buy at any automotive store and let dry.
You may have to put 1-3 Côtes of clear cote if needed. If you skip the clear Côte step the lenses will cloud up over time. I think the clear Côte has uv blocker, plus it just looks better after clear Côte.
Absolutely amazing results! Wow factor 10 !'
Thirty four year old hatch looks just like it just came out of the factory.
For years I could see out the hatches and now crystal clear. Saved hundreds doing this rather then replacing the lenses.
I also did all the old port lenses with just the toothpaste and a cloth rag and lots of water. They look about 90% better, very little effort, great results.
I wish I had before and after pics.
What you need:
Palm sander, 100 grit sand paper, wet sand paper assorted pack 200,300,500'800'1000 grit, old t-shirt, tooth paste.
Took approximately ten minutes per hatch.
After I was done with the lenses I painted the frames with rustoleum aluminum
Wish the rest of the boat looked as good as hatches,
I will post some finished pics soon. Need a nice sunny day.
