Griots sander for headlight restorationCommon Orbital Sander Mistakes

The random orbital sander is one of the first tools professional headlight restoration technicians should own. The design is simple, and right there in the name – the random orbital sander moves, in a random circular pattern, to sand headlight lenses preparing for the final protective coating.

1. Slow it down

Random orbital sanders are designed to be used and moved slowly.
So, what’s the ideal speed? About ten to twelve seconds per linear foot, about an inch per second.
This feels incredibly slow and tedious, but that’s what it takes to let the random oscillations do what they’re designed to do. This is the best way to reduce swirl patterns on the surface, and get a uniformly smooth surface.

2. Don’t press down onto the lens

You do not need to add any pressure to the tool to make it work properly. Don’t push down, even the slightest bit. The weight of the tool and your hand is enough to get the results you want. In fact, pressing down can bog the motor, slowing down the process and harming the surface. Let the sandpaper do the work.

3. Wipe off Dust. Often.

Cut down on the airborne dust by wiping down the lens often. Reduce the layer of dust that sits in between the headlight lens and the sanding disc. This allows the grits to be constantly in contact with the headlight. Not only the dust. That means you can work faster, and get a smooth, clear lens quicker.

4. Do not tilt your orbital sander. Ever.

When you see a spot or a scratch, it’s natural to want to angle that sander a bit and bear down on the problem area.
Avoid the temptation. Random orbital sanders do one thing: make a flat plane uniformly smooth.
Instead, hand sand those areas. Read More