Headlight Clear Coat?

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clanderson

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Hey guys, I just restored my headlights to a beautiful finish, but would like to make them even clearer and protect them for the future with a good clear coat.

My first attempt was with Helmsman Minwax Spar Urethane - I purchased the aerosol variant in the interest of saving time and money. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts (taking necessary time to clean and prep the area), I was left with horrible orange peel and had to scrub it off.

Any suggestions? (for a budget!)
 
Opti-Lens is the way to go, but you have to pony up $60, although I did see it on sale somewhere for $46.
 
cleanmycorolla said:
Yes. A million times better. There's also other coatings out there in the 45-60$ range.
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My headlights aren't in perfectly clear condition (although no oxidation is present) - do I need to polish them to perfection before I apply this, or will it fill in the fine scratches from sanding like a clear coat/meguiars does?
 
No filling properties. What you see now is what you'll see after application.
 
aim4squirrels said:
No filling properties. What you see now is what you'll see after application.
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Ahhh I gotcha. As I understand it, the meguiars doesn't have any filling properties either, but it does restore clarity.

Totally need a buffer :(
 
clanderson said:
Ahhh I gotcha. As I understand it, the meguiars doesn't have any filling properties either, but it does restore clarity.

Totally need a buffer :(
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Refining the defects in the surface of the headlight by sanding, compounding and polishing is what restores clarity.

The coatings have UV inhibitors that should preserve the material they are applied to.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Opti-Lens is the way to go, but you have to pony up $60, although I did see it on sale somewhere for $46.
Click to expand...
Your are correct on both points, I just had Ray hook me up with a price match and then he went ahead and BEAT that price Im the MAN, I just saved quit a bit of money on this product. A HUGE thank you to Ray and the AG crew :dblthumb2:. Might want to PM Ray@autogeek and see if he will do the same for you (and I mean asap before the sale from the competitor ends on the 4th). You'll see how AG treats their customers and get hooked on shopping here.
 
Meguair's has a couple headlight kits that will work that includes the protectant and plastx plasti polish. If they are yellow and need more with the heavy duty kit is what you want. Mothers also has a kit. Both are available locally for about $25.
 
I wonder if Wipe New works as good as it claims. I doubt it. But I wonder also if I put it on a headlight that did not need restoration, if t would protect it as well as the "good" brand products.
 
I actually tried the meguiars kit, but it was too far gone of a job for it. I used 800, 1000 and 2000 grit wet sanding followed by plastix buffing and meguiars headlight treatment. The plastix wasn't enough to cut the 2000 grit marks though I suppose. Still a tiny bit hazy (not oxidation though) in some areas
 
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