Headlight Restoration-new UV sealant idea

Hey guys, today some friend of mine tinted his headlights using a vinyl or something like that, i don't remember. The thing is i came across the idea of that in the process of restoring a headlight, when you reach the time for sealing with spar urethane... what about adding some dye color to the mixture??

Anyone has ever tried it?

What do yo think about that?
 
GalKonz said:
Hey guys, today some friend of mine tinted his headlights using a vinyl or something like that, i don't remember. The thing is i came across the idea of that in the process of restoring a headlight, when you reach the time for sealing with spar urethane... what about adding some dye color to the mixture??

Anyone has ever tried it?

What do yo think about that?
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I may be wrong (sure wouldn't be the first time), but I'm pretty sure that tinting the headlights is a big no-no...legally speaking.

Bill
 
Cosmin said:
lexus reflector has a greenish chrome look , that`s why ...:xyxthumbs:
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Are you just kidding with me or are you serious? I hope you're serious because it would ease my mind a lot! Why would Lexus make their reflector's chrome greenish looking?
 
BillE said:
I may be wrong (sure wouldn't be the first time), but I'm pretty sure that tinting the headlights is a big no-no...legally speaking.

Bill
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Well i don't live in USA. Here in my country, as far as i know, there's no law against tinting headlights or tailights; and actually it's pretty common. In my opinion, i don't like how most of tinted head/tail-lights look, but there's a 1% of all the ones i see that i pretty keep thinking about. There's a Mustang 03 of someone i know, with tinted heads and tails, and an awesome silver paintwork that is pretty outstanding!

So, in my country there wouldn't be any problem about doing it, legally speaking. What i would like to know is if it is possible to do so..?

I'll do my own experiments; will buy a lexan polycarbonate sheet and test out. Maybe this week or next one.
 
taymon said:
Are you just kidding with me or are you serious? I hope you're serious because it would ease my mind a lot! Why would Lexus make their reflector's chrome greenish looking?
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Yes some Lexus vehicles have a green tint to them. I have looked up headlights for certain Lexus trucks and it specifies green or not... So restoring them probably wouldn't hurt the finish of "green".
 
GalKonz said:
Well i don't live in USA. Here in my country, as far as i know, there's no law against tinting headlights or tailights; and actually it's pretty common.
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If you're allowed to tint headlights RED, that's just plain WRONG! :doh:
 
taymon said:
I've noticed that a couple Lexus suv's I've done have had their headlights look slightly tinged yellow/green a week later. Not sure if it's my imagination or not, but it appears this color to me even though it has perfect clarity. Does anyone know if that has something to do with Lexus? Or is it maybe because I'm using too much spar or ms in my mixture? I use a 60% spar and 40% ms but sometimes I know the %'s aren't always perfect. Maybe I'm possibly using too much spar and that's why it gets the tinged color after a week...but it hasn't happened on other manufacturer's headlights so I don't know. I'm using the correct and exact clear gloss spar and ms too if anyone was wondering that.

Has anyone else experienced this with Lexus or other cars?
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I just did a lexus SUV 2 weeks ago and I see it almost every day. I haven't noticed any discoloration at all. I'm not sure about yours.
 
02accordSE said:
Yes some Lexus vehicles have a green tint to them. I have looked up headlights for certain Lexus trucks and it specifies green or not... So restoring them probably wouldn't hurt the finish of "green".
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Thank you so much for easing my mind!! I just looked it up myself and found the green tint headlights myself...thanks!

01 02 03 04 05 LEXUS GS300 GS400 GS430 HEADLIGHT PAIR | eBay

2007 LEXUS RX400H RIGHT XENON HID HEADLIGHT GREEN TINT LAMP USED OEM 06-07-08-09 | eBay

Between the green tint headlights and smoked headlights, I have to realize this about the headlight so I'm not frustrated after. What I'm really curious about is if it's actually the outer lens that is tinted green or smoked....or is it the inside housing that is.

update... just found out it's the chrome housing that has the green tint and not the lens. I'm not sure about smoked though, that may be the lens itself. Green Tint Headlight Housing - VIPStyleCars.com
 
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If you use the clear coat spray method how long does it last before it starts getting yellow again? I know depending on how much you drive the car plays in here as well. But trying to get an idea.
 
I used this method months ago on a daily driver. It still looks perfect.... I still use the before and after on my website.
 
GalKonz said:
You mean the spar urethane? or wich one?
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Yes, I believe this thread is about the 50/50 spar urethane mixture along with wet sanding? I posted in this thread on page 69 with my own results that I posted in another thread.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...s/42701-50-50-spar-spirits-headlight-job.html



I was curious. Then I tried it. Had a bit of a problem initially because I dint apply my mixture quickly. But after taking it off with some IPA and then re-applying... magic happened.

I now employ a 4 gallon tub behind the passenger seat full time with the title "headlight restoration" written in sharpie on the tub. It has been my go-to method for headlight restoration ever sense.

374193_244056882314765_232640026789784_630056_119741959_n.jpg


The first set of headlights I did still look magnificent after 3 months.

311777_242377419149378_232640026789784_624614_1290585778_n.jpg
 
I think what's special about the "Spar" urethane is that it is intended for outdoor use, like the "spar varnish" of the past.
 
GP49 said:
I think what's special about the "Spar" urethane is that it is intended for outdoor use, like the "spar varnish" of the past.
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Plus, the suggested Spar also has some UV protectant capabilities that some others may not have.
 
kimtt said:
Can we use other wood clearcoat such as poly urethane?
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would be nice to see if other products work, and they other day I put a second coat of spar on this car I did and it was almost twice as shiny lol love this stuff, didnt get pics though next time guys
 
Louie_Blu said:
would be nice to see if other products work, and they other day I put a second coat of spar on this car I did and it was almost twice as shiny lol love this stuff, didnt get pics though next time guys
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I've often thought about putting a second coating but was told by others that the mineral spirits in the second mixture could melt away some of the original coating causing streaks and blurrying. It's nice to know that second coatings might work. Lou, have you tried taping off one headlamp, sanding one section with 800, another with 1000 and a third to 3000......just to see what the difference is to the naked eye? I'd love to see those results.
 
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