I seem to have an excess of free time lately so I've decided to "restore" the leadlight lenses on our 2014 Accord. I'm comfortable with the process of smoothing out the pits and chips i.e. lower to higher grit sandpaper and then begin the formal "polishing". My question is what to use on them once I'm done. Is Turtle Wax HS Ceramic spray a good option? If I need to reapply it every couple of months that's OK. If not, what OTC coating would you suggest that I can purchase locally?
Headlight Coating Options?
- Thread starter Honda Fan
- Start date
Desertnate
Well-known member
- Aug 5, 2013
- 6,187
- 234
Are the Griots headlight restoral kits available to you locally at an auto parts store? I used the severe kit to restore the headlights on my daughter's 2012 Fit and it worked great. Included in that kit is a coating which is supposed to be applied as the last step. It's supposed to be "permanent". So far, I'm 2~3 months in and it's doing great. If I can get a couple years out of it I'll be happy.
Other than that, I'd apply any LSP you apply to the rest of the paint. For me it's ceramic coatings. When I coat the vehicle, I'll do the headlights and tail lights at the same time with the same product. It's worked great for me so far.
Other than that, I'd apply any LSP you apply to the rest of the paint. For me it's ceramic coatings. When I coat the vehicle, I'll do the headlights and tail lights at the same time with the same product. It's worked great for me so far.
evo77
Member
- Mar 15, 2008
- 600
- 8
There is only one way to properly protect freshly restored polycarbonate lenses and that is a dedicated UV resistant hard coating. Waxes, sealants and even ceramic coatings are NOT durable enough to withstand the sun rays, weathering, abrasion and pitting that occurs from getting pelted by debris while driving. These would quickly deteriorate and eventually wear off leaving the PC lens naked which would result in a hazy lens in a matter of months depending on how often the car is driven and if its garaged and if its exposed to the sun and the region its located in.
Ceramic coatings have an average thickness of between 0.5-1.5 microns while new OEM factory headlamps have a hardcoat thickness of 8-18 microns. Factory hardcoats also adhere to specific DOT requirements for UV, abrasion and chemical resistance. These are commercial grade hardcoats that get applied in a cleanroom and are UV cured. There really aren't any consumer grade products that can duplicate this in the field.
The closest consumer grade products would be some type of sprayable clear coat. SprayMax 2K is a popular one. But like any paint, there is a level of skill that is needed to get a clean result. Proper prep and environment temps play a huge role on the final finish.
HERE is another DIY hardcoat though not as popular due to the brush on application. I have not tried either of these products. I just replace my headlamps with new genuine factory lamps when the lenses start to fail. Its not ideal for all vehicles as I understand that some cars have very expensive headlamps but for cars with lamps under $350 a piece, I think your still better off going brand new factory (not cheap aftermarket replicas).
PouncingPanzer
Active member
- May 11, 2017
- 967
- 114
The best thing I found for keeping headlights new is PPF cut to shape. Wouldn't be much and once it is beat up or yellowed you just peel and replace.