Headlight Restoration-new UV sealant idea

Right on I'll give it a go tomorrow if I have time. Gotta hit the Padres game.

Another thing Home Depot didn't have was a nice selection of sand paper their highest grit was 600. So don't waste your time shopping for sand paper at home depot.
 
Allen Anderson said:
Is this the right stuff?

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Price went up quite a bit if so. They must of figured out their products new market.

Thanks want to be sure before I buy the stuff. They also have a tiny can for 16bucks.

Did they change logo or this isn't the stuff?
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Hey Anderson, as others have said, its the same brand just not water based (thats what i used anyway).

And also, you will use very little..like g35 said...an oz or less per set. I put in about 2 cap fulls of spirits (using the cap that came on the bottle) and then about the same about using a different cap to dip the urethane out and just mixed it in a small cup.

When i was finished i just poured the leftover mix into a small container with a lid and taped the edges to HOPEFULLY keep it from evaporating...so to answer your question, go with the small can.

Also for your spirits...Wal mart has a decent size bottle for like $6...and they also have 3m sandpaper..you have to kinda hunt for it...it was in the same section as the bondo and touch up paint at the ones near me. They sold it in 800,1000 and 2000 if i remember correctly...and it was 5 sheets for a $3 and some change. Considering headlights wont be AS touchy as paint...im sure you could use 1 piece of sandpaper on multiple jobs before it loses its cut, just make sure to keep it clean and seperate from any PAINT sandpaper you may use (if you have any).

Also a nice block of some sort to wrap your paper around REALLY helps...I bought the Megs one, but ive used a old sanding block that is no longer any good to wrap my paper around before and it works great.

Hope that helps :)
 
Having been a cabinet builder for Ethan Allen for 5 years, and for myself for 10 years, I thought i would provide a little info on the water based vs solvent based urethane. Water based urethane is recommended for indoor use, and solvent based for outdoor use on furniture.

Water based urethane, will deteriorate quicker due to the chemical make up, and since it can be thinned with water, rain and snow will definitely effect how long it will last vs solvent based.

As for urethane having a yellowish tint, that only applies if you're using a urethane that is 10 years old or older, or the container specifies something other than clear urethane.

just my .02!:buffing:
 
Even the water-based product says "Indoor/Outdoor." Doesn't mean it's just as durable, though.
 
GP49 said:
Even the water-based product says "Indoor/Outdoor." Doesn't mean it's just as durable, though.
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Thank you sooooooooo much. Maybe we should not even bother to test it.
 
I'm gonna have to find an air district that sells the solvent based think its banned in mine. Def sounds like I don't want to try out the water based. Maybe I can sneak it past air qaulity control by ordering online somewhere?

Thanks Will, and Malachi for info.

I have a thing with Wal-Mart though I won't shop there no offense to those of you that do. I'd rather pay the extra 20 cents to a dollar or two then give them my money. They cost taxpayers billions of dollars a year in order to save that 20 cents. Again no offense. To each his own :)
 
The solvent based is illegal in all of Southern California even the low VOC version. Can't even get past the restriction ordering online anywhere.

Flying to NY to help someone move back to Cali maybe I can find a can otw in that trip.
 
Can you use Varsol Paint Thinner instead of mineral spirits? My local Home Depot (Canada) did not have any "mineral spirits"...
 
vleong1 said:
Can you use Varsol Paint Thinner instead of mineral spirits? My local Home Depot (Canada) did not have any "mineral spirits"...
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I would not try it since paint thinner does not like certain plastics. I dumped some used paint thinner in the plastic cup with my leftover urethane mix--melted the bottom right off and dumped everything on the ground. At one of my old jobs, we used to spray acetone on our beat up faceshields just before we were going to throw them away. It would virtually melt/crack/haze the plastic almost instantaneously. Neat, huh?

I know acetone and paint thinner are two different liquids but it goes to show you what could occur. It could either 1) cause very slight crazing from a chemical reaction's heat 2) change the color or transparency 3) do absolutely nothing. You can always try it on an old headlight if you have one handy. I'd be interested to see the results.
 
You can install paint protection film after polishing, and it will keep them from yellowing almost indefinitely.
 
has anyone tried the spray can version of this protectant that everyone is talking about
 
oschavez4 said:
has anyone tried the spray can version of this protectant that everyone is talking about
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I think a few people on here have posted that they have. Just the thing is if you spray it on you have a lot more covering up to do as opposed to if you just did the wipe on since over spray kinda has a way of always going where you dont want it to!

The wipe on is super easy and not messy...just get some vinyl/latex/rubber etc gloves...have a very small portion of your sealant mixed up...dip a small folded piece of the blue Scotts towel into it and then wipe it on..and you're finished. Just do a quick tape around the edges of the light first of course. It really doesnt drip much at all and isnt as messy as you might think...just try it for yourself...you'll see:props:
 
Thanks for the info I will try the mix on my daughters car first and see how that goes before I try it on my car lol.
 
oschavez4 said:
Thanks for the info I will try the mix on my daughters car first and see how that goes before I try it on my car lol.
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Lol im sure your daughter will REALLY appreciate it as long as you dont screw it up..other wise it will be 'DAD! what did you do!'...it is pretty 'fool' proof tho :).

Just making sure...you are going to sand/polish it out first right?

Do pictures if you have time!
 
I will w.w.w. let me ask another question have u ever taken off those nipples that are on some headlights? I have often wondered if they are hollow and leave a hole or when you take them off will it be a solid piece and just part of the headlight
 
I have taken a couple of the nipples off and most of them are solid plastic so you shouldn't have a problem as long as you dont sand away too much. I did it on a test light and went too deep and actually produced a pinhole.
 
Has anybody tired the Rust Oleum Varathane Water-Based Exterior one? I just bought a can of it and wanted to know would it as good as the minwax one.
 
Steward said:
Has anybody tired the Rust Oleum Varathane Water-Based Exterior one? I just bought a can of it and wanted to know would it as good as the minwax one.
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The only thing i'd be worried about is the fact that it's water based, so probably wont be as strong or last as long. You could surely try it tho :dblthumb2:...just make sure you dilute 50/50 with water and not spirits
 
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