Headlight Restoration Question...
Headlight Restoration Question...
This may have been asked before, so please don't roast me...
I just finished redoing the lenses on my headlights and I've noticed something. On all three cars that I've done this to there seems to be some kind of finish that has to be sanded through first before getting to the actual lens plastic. I do the refinish the hard way with sand papers and different bobbing and polish compounds from my other hobbies. Any thoughts on this...and is this what is included in the kits? And if so, can you buy just this "refinish sealant" by itself.
Thank you ...
I just finished redoing the lenses on my headlights and I've noticed something. On all three cars that I've done this to there seems to be some kind of finish that has to be sanded through first before getting to the actual lens plastic. I do the refinish the hard way with sand papers and different bobbing and polish compounds from my other hobbies. Any thoughts on this...and is this what is included in the kits? And if so, can you buy just this "refinish sealant" by itself.
Thank you ...
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: MOFN, AL, 70 miles from George
Age: 66
Posts: 8,017
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Re: Headlight Restoration Question...
I saw this new product from Meguiar's on TV the other day:
Perfect Clarity Headlight Restoration Kit | Meguiar's
It includes a protectant spray that "Lasts up to a Year".
FWIW and YMMV
BTW-I've done dozens of headlights over the past few years using your time-tested method: sand from 800 thru 3000 and polish. The "layer" you speak of is just that. Either a sprayed-on or a laid-in layer of a tough polycarbonate before the Lexan (a different polycarbonate) is injected into the mold.
Tough stuff, 'eh? Once that layer is damaged, it must be removed. I've never found a way to polish/repair it.
Of course, once it's gone, the regular structural Lexan is exposed to the elements-and UV. Either polish it out every 3-6 months or re-coat it with something like this stuff.
Or XPEL/ Lamin-x films.
And that's all I've got to say about that...
Perfect Clarity Headlight Restoration Kit | Meguiar's
It includes a protectant spray that "Lasts up to a Year".
FWIW and YMMV
BTW-I've done dozens of headlights over the past few years using your time-tested method: sand from 800 thru 3000 and polish. The "layer" you speak of is just that. Either a sprayed-on or a laid-in layer of a tough polycarbonate before the Lexan (a different polycarbonate) is injected into the mold.
Tough stuff, 'eh? Once that layer is damaged, it must be removed. I've never found a way to polish/repair it.
Of course, once it's gone, the regular structural Lexan is exposed to the elements-and UV. Either polish it out every 3-6 months or re-coat it with something like this stuff.
Or XPEL/ Lamin-x films.
And that's all I've got to say about that...
Last edited by maxcichon; 09-29-2015 at 11:28 AM.
Re: Headlight Restoration Question...
I saw this new product from Meguiar's on TV the other day:
Perfect Clarity Headlight Restoration Kit | Meguiar's
It includes a protectant spray that "Lasts up to a Year".
FWIW and YMMV
BTW-I've done dozens of headlights over the past few years using your time-tested method: sand from 800 thru 3000 and polish. The "layer" you speak of is just that. Either a sprayed-on or a laid-in layer of a tough polycarbonate before the Lexan (a different polycarbonate) is injected into the mold.
Tough stuff, 'eh? Once that layer is damaged, it must be removed. I've never found a way to polish/repair it.
Of course, once it's gone, the regular structural Lexan is exposed to the elements-and UV. Either polish it out every 3-6 months or re-coat it with something like this stuff.
Or XPEL/ Lamin-x films.
And that's all I've got to say about that...
Perfect Clarity Headlight Restoration Kit | Meguiar's
It includes a protectant spray that "Lasts up to a Year".
FWIW and YMMV
BTW-I've done dozens of headlights over the past few years using your time-tested method: sand from 800 thru 3000 and polish. The "layer" you speak of is just that. Either a sprayed-on or a laid-in layer of a tough polycarbonate before the Lexan (a different polycarbonate) is injected into the mold.
Tough stuff, 'eh? Once that layer is damaged, it must be removed. I've never found a way to polish/repair it.
Of course, once it's gone, the regular structural Lexan is exposed to the elements-and UV. Either polish it out every 3-6 months or re-coat it with something like this stuff.
Or XPEL/ Lamin-x films.
And that's all I've got to say about that...
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: MOFN, AL, 70 miles from George
Age: 66
Posts: 8,017
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Re: Headlight Restoration Question...
From Meguiar's website:
Product Features:
Microscopic Diminishing Abrasive™ technology helps remove light oxidation, chemical degradation, surface contamination, stains and light surface scratches
Gel formula is designed to restore optical clarity to both rigid and flexible clear plastics
Water-resistant polymers provide long-lasting, durable protection to keep plastics clear
For best results, apply with a Meguiar's® High Tech Applicator Pad or Ultra Plush Super Terry (both sold separately) and use an Ultra Plush Super Terry or a Supreme Shine® Microfiber (both sold separately) for the final wipe-off
Just sayin' buddy.
Re: Headlight Restoration Question...
"Water-resistant polymers provide long-lasting, durable protection to keep plastics clear"
Just saying'...
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: MOFN, AL, 70 miles from George
Age: 66
Posts: 8,017
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Re: Headlight Restoration Question...
"..Just spray on and wipe off like detail wax,"
Re: Headlight Restoration Question...
This may have been asked before, so please don't roast me...
I just finished redoing the lenses on my headlights and I've noticed something. On all three cars that I've done this to there seems to be some kind of finish that has to be sanded through first before getting to the actual lens plastic. I do the refinish the hard way with sand papers and different bobbing and polish compounds from my other hobbies. Any thoughts on this...and is this what is included in the kits? And if so, can you buy just this "refinish sealant" by itself.
Thank you ...
I just finished redoing the lenses on my headlights and I've noticed something. On all three cars that I've done this to there seems to be some kind of finish that has to be sanded through first before getting to the actual lens plastic. I do the refinish the hard way with sand papers and different bobbing and polish compounds from my other hobbies. Any thoughts on this...and is this what is included in the kits? And if so, can you buy just this "refinish sealant" by itself.
Thank you ...
Re: Headlight Restoration Question...
The coating you are sanding thru is a clearcoat that protects the plastic from ultra violet rays. Without it you would have to constantly repolish your nicely restored lenses. The lens can be sanded with very fine sandpaper and clearcoated with a high quality two part clear for a factory like appearance. There are plastic adhesion promoters that can aid adhesion but some may cause a cloudy film between the lens and clear.
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Spacecoast, Florida
Age: 67
Posts: 1,822
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Received 13 Likes
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Re: Headlight Restoration Question...
Here's the UV block coating kit from Sylvania, who makes one of the best, if not the top rated, headlight restoration kits on the market today......
https://www.amazon.com/SYLVANIA-Headlight-Restoration-Headlights-Protection/dp/B01KIVYE6G/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=headlight+clearcoat&qid=1550709978&s=gateway&sr=8-1
Re: Headlight Restoration Question...
The coating you are sanding thru is a clearcoat that protects the plastic from ultra violet rays. Without it you would have to constantly repolish your nicely restored lenses. The lens can be sanded with very fine sandpaper and clearcoated with a high quality two part clear for a factory like appearance. There are plastic adhesion promoters that can aid adhesion but some may cause a cloudy film between the lens and clear.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B072FQMY3Z?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title