Which product to best seal restored headlights?

mhphoto

mhphoto

New member
Joined
Jun 5, 2012
Messages
157
Reaction score
0
Hey there everybody! I have a question for you. I think this is the right forum for this (seemed like the best fit; there are so many).

I've been restoring every pair of oxidized headlights I can get my hands on, but my main concern has been sealing them against further UV damage. I know some amount of both road and UV damage is inevitable, but I'd like to have the risk at a minimum. I've seen headlights that had been restored but not really "treated" after the fact, and they looked as bad as they had before restoration.

What I've been using is Meguiar's Headlight Protectant, and am in the middle of a sort of test using my wife's Civic and my mother in law's Accord (both parked outside 100%). I restored them both at the same time and applied the first coat of Meg's Headlight Protectant right after. I've been cleaning and re-applying the protectant every week on the Civic, but I'll only be refreshing the Accord's once a month. I'll post monthly pictures in THIS thread.

So I'll get to see how effective that product is, but I'd still like to explore more. I don't really want to do the Spar-Urethane method for fear of the actual product yellowing.

Disregarding cost and focusing only on performance, longevity, and frequency of reapplication, how would you all rate these:

· Meguiar's Headlight Protectant
· Meguiar's #21
· Chemical Guy's Jetseal 109
· Opti-Coat 2.0
· Diamondite Clear Plastic Liquid Armor
· Wolfgang Plastic Surface and Headlight Sealant

What's your opinion on these? Which do you think would last the longest? How often should they be reapplied? Any you'd add to the list?

Remember, cost is no issue right now.

Thanks everyone!
 
OC 2.0 is going to be the only way to go. It's simply in a different (chemical) class than all the others you listed.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
OC 2.0 is going to be the only way to go. It's simply in a different (chemical) class than all the others you listed.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I figured it would be since it's an actual semi-permanent barrier rather than a "sealant" that wears off after a month or so.

I'm assuming it offers a fair bit of UV protection?
 
X-Pel headlight protection film. Yes it's $70 for the kit but Opticoat 2.0 is $60 /oz. and this film can be removed and a new one reapplied if/when it turns yellow. Much easier that re-abrading (wet sanding/polishing) Opticoat 2.0 if/when it fades/clouds/yellows.

Bottom line: Removal & re-application of film is easier than wet sanding/polishing.
 
mhphoto said:
Hey there everybody! I have a question for you. I think this is the right forum for this (seemed like the best fit; there are so many).

I've been restoring every pair of oxidized headlights I can get my hands on, but my main concern has been sealing them against further UV damage. I know some amount of both road and UV damage is inevitable, but I'd like to have the risk at a minimum. I've seen headlights that had been restored but not really "treated" after the fact, and they looked as bad as they had before restoration.

What I've been using is Meguiar's Headlight Protectant, and am in the middle of a sort of test using my wife's Civic and my mother in law's Accord (both parked outside 100%). I restored them both at the same time and applied the first coat of Meg's Headlight Protectant right after. I've been cleaning and re-applying the protectant every week on the Civic, but I'll only be refreshing the Accord's once a month. I'll post monthly pictures in THIS thread.

So I'll get to see how effective that product is, but I'd still like to explore more. I don't really want to do the Spar-Urethane method for fear of the actual product yellowing.

Disregarding cost and focusing only on performance, longevity, and frequency of reapplication, how would you all rate these:

· Meguiar's Headlight Protectant
· Meguiar's #21
· Chemical Guy's Jetseal 109
· Opti-Coat 2.0
· Diamondite Clear Plastic Liquid Armor
· Wolfgang Plastic Surface and Headlight Sealant

What's your opinion on these? Which do you think would last the longest? How often should they be reapplied? Any you'd add to the list?

Remember, cost is no issue right now.

Thanks everyone

First of all, I have no experience with any of the coatings in your list, but I do have experience with what I would call pro products. These are the products professional headlight restorers use.

I think all these products can be put into 2 separate lists. List A is retail products for D.I.Y.ers. List B is commercial products for body shops, detailers, oil changers and headlight restorers.

It's not always easy to determine which list a product belungs to, but I'll give you some hints:

Commercial products
Do not sell in small quantities and fairly expensive.
Provide MSDS for each product
Tell you what's in it more or less
From major manufacturers, many repackaged
Track record of use and references
One shot, good for many months or years
May require spraying, UV cure, etc.
Listed ANSI tests it has passed (3 year Florida sun)

Retail products/DIY
Vague on what's in it
Vague on lifetime
Mentions occasional re-application
Available in small quantities
Inexpensive
Probably contains polish and/or wax

I don't know which list I would place homemade spar varnish/mineral spirits in, but since it's based on a consumer product (Minwax) I would use something better. High grade coatings are expensive because the ingredients are expensive.

If you are restoring headlights for money, the coating lifetime should be your number 1 concern. It's easy to make a bad headlight look good, not so easy to make it last without the right materials.

Coating costs should not be a concern. You might be able to coat with a homemade cocktail for .25, whereby a pro coating with a 2 year warranty might cost $1.00. That 75 cents is nothing compared to the missed opportunity of a satisfied customer (a free salesman) becoming an angry customer 6 months later.

Restoring headlights can be labor intensive, so your goal should be to use the right product/tool set to allow you to do pro restorations in the shortest time. Also consider that using pro products, you can give your customer a written guarantee, something your competition probably can't do.

The last thought is not to settle on any 1 product or procedure. Restorations vary in price and customer's expectations. Being able to do restorations at many levels make you more competitive and profitable.
ray6
Click to expand...
 
mhphoto said:
Hey there everybody! I have a question for you. I think this is the right forum for this (seemed like the best fit; there are so many).

I've been restoring every pair of oxidized headlights I can get my hands on, but my main concern has been sealing them against further UV damage. I know some amount of both road and UV damage is inevitable, but I'd like to have the risk at a minimum. I've seen headlights that had been restored but not really "treated" after the fact, and they looked as bad as they had before restoration.

What I've been using is Meguiar's Headlight Protectant, and am in the middle of a sort of test using my wife's Civic and my mother in law's Accord (both parked outside 100%). I restored them both at the same time and applied the first coat of Meg's Headlight Protectant right after. I've been cleaning and re-applying the protectant every week on the Civic, but I'll only be refreshing the Accord's once a month. I'll post monthly pictures in THIS thread.

So I'll get to see how effective that product is, but I'd still like to explore more. I don't really want to do the Spar-Urethane method for fear of the actual product yellowing.

Disregarding cost and focusing only on performance, longevity, and frequency of reapplication, how would you all rate these:

· Meguiar's Headlight Protectant
· Meguiar's #21
· Chemical Guy's Jetseal 109
· Opti-Coat 2.0
· Diamondite Clear Plastic Liquid Armor
· Wolfgang Plastic Surface and Headlight Sealant

What's your opinion on these? Which do you think would last the longest? How often should they be reapplied? Any you'd add to the list?

Remember, cost is no issue right now.

Thanks everyone

First of all, I have no experience with any of the coatings in your list, but I do have experience with what I would call pro products. These are the products professional headlight restorers use.

I think all these products can be put into 2 separate lists. List A is retail products for D.I.Y.ers. List B is commercial products for body shops, detailers, oil changers and headlight restorers.

It's not always easy to determine which list a product belungs to, but I'll give you some hints:

Commercial products
Do not sell in small quantities and fairly expensive.
Provide MSDS for each product
Tell you what's in it more or less
From major manufacturers, many repackaged
Track record of use and references
One shot, good for many months or years
May require spraying, UV cure, etc.
Listed ANSI tests it has passed (3 year Florida sun#

Retail products/DIY
Vague on what's in it
Vague on lifetime
Mentions occasional re-application
Available in small quantities
Inexpensive

I don't know which list I would place homemade spar varnish/mineral spirits in, but since it's based on a consumer product #Minwax) I would use something better. High grade coatings are expensive because the ingredients are expensive.

If you are restoring headlights for money, the coating lifetime should be your number 1 concern. It's easy to make a bad headlight look good, not so easy to make it last without the right materials.

Coating costs should not be a concern. You might be able to coat with a homemade cocktail for .25, whereby a pro coating with a 2 year warranty might cost $1.00. That 75 cents is nothing compared to the missed opportunity of a satisfied customer (a free salesman) becoming an angry customer 6 months later.

Restoring headlights can be labor intensive, so your goal should be to use the right product/tool set to allow you to do pro restorations in the shortest time. Also consider that using pro products, you can give your customer a written guarantee, something your competition probably can't do.

The last thought is not to settle on any 1 product or procedure. Restorations vary in price and customer's expectations. Being able to do restorations at many levels make you more competitive and profitable.
ray6
Click to expand...
 
First of all, I have no experience with any of the coatings in your list, but I do have experience with what I would call pro products. These are the products professional headlight restorers use.

I think all these products can be put into 2 separate lists. List A is retail products for D.I.Y.ers. List B is commercial products for body shops, detailers, oil changers and headlight restorers.

It's not always easy to determine which list a product belungs to, but I'll give you some hints:

Commercial products
Do not sell in small quantities and fairly expensive.
Provide MSDS for each product
Tell you what's in it more or less
From major manufacturers, many repackaged
Track record of use and references
One shot, good for many months or years
May require spraying, UV cure, etc.
Listed ANSI tests it has passed (3 year Florida sun#

Retail products/DIY
Vague on what's in it
Vague on lifetime
Mentions occasional re-application
Available in small quantities
Inexpensive

I don't know which list I would place homemade spar varnish/mineral spirits in, but since it's based on a consumer product #Minwax) I would use something better. High grade coatings are expensive because the ingredients are expensive.

If you are restoring headlights for money, the coating lifetime should be your number 1 concern. It's easy to make a bad headlight look good, not so easy to make it last without the right materials.

Coating costs should not be a concern. You might be able to coat with a homemade cocktail for .25, whereby a pro coating with a 2 year warranty might cost $1.00. That 75 cents is nothing compared to the missed opportunity of a satisfied customer (a free salesman) becoming an angry customer 6 months later.

Restoring headlights can be labor intensive, so your goal should be to use the right product/tool set to allow you to do pro restorations in the shortest time. Also consider that using pro products, you can give your customer a written guarantee, something your competition probably can't do.

The last thought is not to settle on any 1 product or procedure. Restorations vary in price and customer's expectations. Being able to do restorations at many levels make you more competitive and profitable.
ray6
 
Dang, Ray. Heard you the first time… haha.
 
Sorry about that. Keep hitting the wrong button, or I'm old, or both.
ray6
 
mhphoto said:
Hey there everybody! I have a question for you. I think this is the right forum for this (seemed like the best fit; there are so many).

I've been restoring every pair of oxidized headlights I can get my hands on, but my main concern has been sealing them against further UV damage. I know some amount of both road and UV damage is inevitable, but I'd like to have the risk at a minimum. I've seen headlights that had been restored but not really "treated" after the fact, and they looked as bad as they had before restoration.

What I've been using is Meguiar's Headlight Protectant, and am in the middle of a sort of test using my wife's Civic and my mother in law's Accord (both parked outside 100%). I restored them both at the same time and applied the first coat of Meg's Headlight Protectant right after. I've been cleaning and re-applying the protectant every week on the Civic, but I'll only be refreshing the Accord's once a month. I'll post monthly pictures in THIS thread.

So I'll get to see how effective that product is, but I'd still like to explore more. I don't really want to do the Spar-Urethane method for fear of the actual product yellowing.

Disregarding cost and focusing only on performance, longevity, and frequency of reapplication, how would you all rate these:

· Meguiar's Headlight Protectant
· Meguiar's #21
· Chemical Guy's Jetseal 109
· Opti-Coat 2.0
· Diamondite Clear Plastic Liquid Armor
· Wolfgang Plastic Surface and Headlight Sealant

What's your opinion on these? Which do you think would last the longest? How often should they be reapplied? Any you'd add to the list?

Remember, cost is no issue right now.

Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
well ther several more out there u can use but i was told on here not to mention other product on here got a email a yr ago i thought this forum open to more of one opinion
 
ray6 said:
Sorry about that. Keep hitting the wrong button, or I'm old, or both.
ray6
Click to expand...

That's alright, :xyxthumbs:. Thanks for all your posts! I've been looking them up around the forum and learning a whole lot from them!
 
OC 2.0. Easy to use after you get the plastic just the way you want. I did some a year ago and there is no degradation. The same cant be said of some of the other methods I used before to include various sealants and waxes. Just my two cents from the hot Arizona desert where headlights fade in about 2 years from new.
 
If we were to exclude the amazing and costly Opti-Lens, which one would be better in terms of durability?
 
What you're really asking is which is the best TEMPORARY protective coating? Virtually all these coatings boil down to some form of UV blockers in the form of wax. Some are better than others. None of these come close to the original protective coating applied to the headlight during manufacture.

At the factory, the polycarbonate is super cleaned, coated with a primer (electrostatic applied), followed by the actual coating which is then baked or cured with UV. You really can't duplicate this in the field. However, when considering coatings, think of the headlight just like the finish on the car body. Modern finishes need a protective clear coat to block UV. So do headlights. Wax is a short term solution. There are good coatings out there, but they are expensive and difficult to apply and cure. It really depends on what type of service and warranty you're offering.

Restoring headlights is a two step process; remove the old coating, replace it with a new one. There's no one size fits all for removing the old coating because there are too many variables. Essentially, you remove it with abrasives. The heavier the damage, the coarser the abrasive.

Your first abrasive should remove all the coating, all additional steps are to correct the damage from this first abrasive.

There are many tips and procedures available on this forum, but it really depends on the condition of each headlight and that will be different every time. Start too aggressively and you will spend more time repairing damage from the previous step. Start too fine and you will spend more time removing the coating.

Removing the old coating is the easy part. Once you remove the old coating, you must install a new coating. Most of the processes you see on this forum are various forms of wax. They will only last a finite time.

The new coating needs to block UV from the polycarbonate. Think of it as protecting the paint on your car. Sure, wax will work, but for how long.? This is why modern finish paints require clear coat. It's the same thing.

One of the things you'll notice in threads on headlight restoration is anecdotal. This particular process lasted 2 years, this one only 3 months, etc. The reason is the variables involved in UV exposure. Think of it this way: I could remove the old coating on a headlamp then make sure it never received DIRECT UV exposure by always parking in a garage, etc., and under these conditions it would remain clear forever.
A different headlight with a premium coating might fail in 6 months if constantly exposed to direct UV.

Coating with wax after removing the old coating will work, as long as you continuously reapply it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top