Budgets Tractor Builds

Budget_gokart wrote:

Any way to make stock headlights brighter and make the headlight lens clearer? Can i sand the ribs off the back of the lens?

The oxidation (yellowing/clouding) happens on the outside of the lens, I restore car headlights by using wet sandpaper and Duplicolor Crystal Clear automotive clearcoat. Step one, wet sand with 800 grit. Step 2, wet sand with 1200-1500 grit. Step 3, wet sand with 2000-2500 grit. Step 4 clean with rubbing alcohol. Step 5,  Clearcoat and the lenses will look brand new! Sorry I don't have pics of any results on this phone, I'll try to dig some out from my old phone later or tomorrow. I agree with the boys too that if the reflective surface is crap to try your best to restore it and yes LEDs seem to work really well too!

Before



And after


Takes me about 30 minutes from start to finish to do a pair on most vehicles, I was planning on doing my Tractors lenses also.

Can i do just 800 then 2500? I dont have a whole buncha money for sand paper im real low on funds

I dunno man, that in-between step is important to get the 800 grit scratches out, if the lenses aren't TOO bad you could do 1200/2000-2500. You NEED clearcoat, there's no if and or buts about it, even the 2500 will haze them over and make it worse until they're sealed, then they come out crystal clear. You should be able to find the 3M multi pack of fine wet/dry paper for $10, another $10 or so for the clear and you're good to go as long as you have some masking tape or are removing the lenses.

if you have any fine cut buffing compound it can be hand-rubbed with a cloth. It will yellow again over time/sun exposure.

@Brianator great idea with the clear coat seal

ive got clear thats no issue ill buy sand paper but can i remove the stupid lines behind the lense they ma be for strength but i would like for the headlight to be clear as possible for when i put a new set of bulbs

a brand new lense is 20$ and it still isnt very clear brand new

The ribs aren't just for strength they're also diffusers to help scatter the light I personally would leave them alone, it will take you a long time to get rid of them.

oh alright i suppose thats a good reason to keep them lol

Budget_gokart wrote:

a brand new lense is 20$ and it still isnt very clear brand new

Most oems aren’t, it hides the big honking bulbs and they usually get covered with grass anyway.

These lights when stock are honestly a selling point and to imply complexity and stuff. Most people aren’t mowing at 2 am I suppose, and if they are, they are probably dodging the rocks being thrown by the cussing neighbors

id like to form me an acrylic one and do aluminum tape inside the light area and do those fancy led lights but ya know i aint go a job yet

Epic weekend of progress got TONS done. John deere got a new set of shoes and gas tank i sold it for 150$ and i got a free 4wd 350 quad. I got my craftsman GT assembled enough for a rough first test drive and got my trike build

cool a free 4wheeler is the best wheeler! was the test drive on the gt successful?

Where's all the pics!? We need pictures! Lol

ill upload a video to youtube later after more progress and ill post pics im selling my wheel horse today too, GT Drive belt fell off i went in one gear only in low and the engine stalled because the carbs dirty but it drove! needs a shorter belt and the carb cleaned and the body assemble and the transaxle filled with oil, lugs installed and gotta find more lol. ill have to finish wiring because i was pull starting the engine with a rope and bottle of gas

My wheelie horse was stolen tonight and my craftsman didnt feel like starting when trying to go home after a bday party which ended up allowing the wheelie horse to be stolen i let the local paris illinois PD (where the tractors headed) know about a stolen silver work horse lawn mower so if anyone sees this tractor for sale on any website or listing lmk the jerk who stole it was dumb enough to tell me where he lived before coming out here so thats funny lol i hope he regrets what he did atleast

What a jack rabbit.

So sorry, we just got hit over here too. Just some loose stuff in unlocked cars... our bad. Hope you get justice

Yea great thing he stole the tractor ive got like 20 bucks and a free predator motor into i mean ive got barely anything into it just i hate the fact of him stealing it after lying to me

That would make me mad as

Spread the word, somebody surely knows something.

If you know who did it, it should be easy enough to get him rounded up and get your rig back.

I let his town police department know and spread the word on facebook. In other news i worked the heck outta my little traptor i ended up bending the hitch plate its completely destroyed the frame was already twisted and bent from romping so its looking like a full tear down and refresh of my relible little traptor i love this little unit so much. It wont let me upload pics its my craftsman in my pfp ill try later

I see your signature there, looks like you’re really cleaning out your collection.

Man that sucks! Find out where he lives and steal it back, what's he going to do, go to the police!? Lol

Rustbucket Garage wrote:

I see your signature there, looks like you’re really cleaning out your collection.

well yea town says i have to ive gotta update it again lol

So muffler or chopped end off for a sick tip? Its a fire extinguisher