Clear Coat or Ceramic Coat Peeling From Headlight?

[SmurfVette]

I just picked up my car from the shop, and noticed there is some peeling on the headlights. How would you all try and tackle this, I to deciding were to start?

The shop used that tackwrap saran wrap for protecting the fenders and it looks like it caused either my ceramic coating or clear coat to peel up. It is hard to capture in a picture but the middle/bottom is the top layer. I would guess its part of the ceramic coating that is peeling off but I have never heard of that happening.
I have a Maguire's headlight restore kit that includes 1000 and 3000 sand paper and plastx, and I also have Maguire's ultimate compound and polish. How aggressive would you all start with? Should I just do a wet sand or try a compound first? Is the old headlight kit sealant good enough or will I need to reclear if I sand it down?

Thanks

 

[The Guz]

Ceramic coatings are such a thin layer that they don’t flake or crack. This is the coating in the headlight.

 

[SmurfVette]

Ceramic coatings are such a thin layer that they don’t flake or crack. This is the coating in the headlight.

Interesting, I wonder how that would peal up so easy. Do you think a wet sand would be able to clear them up? and would the restore kit sealant work enough or would they need re-cleared?

Thanks

 

[Bruno Soares]

It’s the factory UV protection delaminating. You’ll have to sand the rest of it and then spray them again with 2K clear. Or wrap them with PPF. If you just restore they’ll be yellow in a short period of time. You’ll need more cut than 1000 grit. Many tutorials on YT.

 

[SmurfVette]

Sweet, I'll give sanding and clearing a shot. Worst case I'll just replace the lens.

 

[Rsurfer]

Sweet, I'll give sanding and clearing a shot. Worst case I'll just replace the lens.

You would have to buy the entire headlight and I hope your sitting down when you see the price.

Wet sand it, compound and polish and clear coat or ppf.

 

[opie2]

Sand it with 400, then 1000, then 1500. Finally hit it with a wool pad.

That was just the process used on some taillights that were covered in some type of white chemical that would not come off any other way. Sorry didnt have phone for pics.

I was amazed that it made them look new again

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[Tasmania]

Get some Xpel PPF to seal the headlights from UV damage

 

[JKDesign]

Many good replies already from some long-time contributing members here! No need to go down to 400grit- start with 600grit if you need to get that aggressive. Also- forgo clear coating them when you are finished with the sanding polishing- it will just degrade again. XPel makes pre-cut Paint Protection Film kits that are available on their website: XPEL | Paint Protection | Window Tint | Flat Glass | Anti-Microbial Film. The film is self healing, and it resists stone chipping/rash. It also carries a 5-10yr warranty.