Headlight Restoration-new UV sealant idea

Part-timer said:
Reggie.....what process are you using?

Wills....Do you use a specific brand of sanding discs/paper? I've started using these discs I found from Abrasive Resource for $22.00 @ 100 discs and some Rhyno discs and it seems like I am getting more swirls. I'm not sure if it is my technic or the new discs. Any insight?
I'm going to try to attach a few pics from this mornings jobs.
These came out ok but, they fought me. I dunno? Maybe I'm just being too picky? I just hate when they aren't perfect! I ended up using my Griots machine and when I got to the 3000..the swirls became evident and I had to go backwards and hand sand the swirls out. UGH! What the heck am I doing wrong?
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nice job how long u spend on the lights
 
10 months since I sprayed spar on my lights.

still holding up.
the spray goes on thicker, so i don't expect them to wear out as quickly.

car is parked outside 24/7 in soCal.

with the old method of polish only, I would've been back to yellow lights within 2 months.
 
Reggie.....There is a lot of competition here as well. I generally charge $40 a set. I've been doing this about 1 year now. I am definately still an amateur....but I want them to be perfect. The Spar is not very forgiving as far as swirls and scratches(not spray on, wipe on) It takes me about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I do keep the visual example in my car.
 
Any of you guys have issues with static after compounding? Lately after compounding i feel static with my hands and after applying clear mix, the clear starts to somewhat separate like when you put soap on an oily plate, obviously not as drastic though.
 
Yes; it is very dry here in Northern California during this time of year. However, when I wash the headlights with water to remove deposits left over from wet-sanding and polishing, the static charge disappears.
 
GP49 said:
Yes; it is very dry here in Northern California during this time of year. However, when I wash the headlights with water to remove deposits left over from wet-sanding and polishing, the static charge disappears.
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ya after some research, i tried this on a car i did today, and was good to go. thanks!
 
A few recent jobs. The Scion light had some old "eye lid" sticker on it that looked like garbage, but i wasn't going to take it off for free. The lady said not to worry about it and work around it.

Feed back please
 
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Mitsman95...Great work!! Especially on the Scion, I don't know if I'd be skilled enough to work around the sticker. The Porsche looks great too. Do you get more $$ for those? Actually, do you get more $$ depending on the degree of difficulty? I keep thinking that I'll charge more for the harder ones but then kinda cave-in when they ask how much. Keep in mind I don't rely on this as a full-time job.
 
mitsuman95 said:
A few recent jobs. The Scion light had some old "eye lid" sticker on it that looked like garbage, but i wasn't going to take it off for free. The lady said not to worry about it and work around it.

Feed back please
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Do you ever have any problems with streaking with really long lights like the last set you had pictures of?
 
mitsuman95 said:
A few recent jobs. The Scion light had some old "eye lid" sticker on it that looked like garbage, but i wasn't going to take it off for free. The lady said not to worry about it and work around it.

Feed back please
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what happen to the top of lens of the bmw
 
Longevity Test- 2 years after restoration

Well, this is my final update on these lights with this test, the spar urethane (polished version) has run its course and is starting to fail as the summer heat eats into it. I don't use this method anymore, as I have skipped the polishing step and apply the spar urethane after wet sanding with 3000, and have stopped wet sanding with just 1500 with good results on some lenses.

The lights are not in that bad of condition that they needed a new restoration, but you could definitely tell that they were wearing down. Remember, this car is rarely washed and waxed and sits outside 24/7.









The side lenses actually showed no signs of wear, since the restoration two years ago.



Thanks to everyone that gave me tips and ideas on improving this method, I am now working on a new sealant longevity test, so watch for that as I get a new thread up soon!
 
Thank you Hotrod. Maybe people will now stop compounding since the urethane is not actually "grabbing" onto anything. ive been just sanding and wiping, no more compounding for me, it looks alot better IMO. I even stated my theory why i think this way is alot more effective and will work better... but maybe they just think im crazy! :xyxthumbs:
 
Part-timer said:
Mitsman95...Great work!! Especially on the Scion, I don't know if I'd be skilled enough to work around the sticker. The Porsche looks great too. Do you get more $$ for those? Actually, do you get more $$ depending on the degree of difficulty? I keep thinking that I'll charge more for the harder ones but then kinda cave-in when they ask how much. Keep in mind I don't rely on this as a full-time job.
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Thanks! Well when i advertise i just put $40 any lights. Some take less time some take more, but it usually equals out. I charged the porsche guy $40, but he gave me a $30 tip. So sometimes is pays to do a good job, called me the next day to do his mercedes and gave me $20 tip. I also have a day job.


Wills.WindowsAndWheels said:
Do you ever have any problems with streaking with really long lights like the last set you had pictures of?
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They look longer in the picture, but no i havent noticed anything like that. sometimes randomly they will streak and i have to wipe them down and redo.

reggie1967 said:
what happen to the top of lens of the bmw
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?? what bmw...
 
mitsuman95 said:
Thanks! Well when i advertise i just put $40 any lights. Some take less time some take more, but it usually equals out. I charged the porsche guy $40, but he gave me a $30 tip. So sometimes is pays to do a good job, called me the next day to do his mercedes and gave me $20 tip. I also have a day job.


So How/where do you advertise?
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And thus...the end of an era....?



Or .....the beginning of a NEW and improved era....lol
 
Hi Guys,
This is my first post.
Wanted to say thanks to all of you. I was looking to start a little side business and noticed all those nasty looking headlights, Mine included! I have compounded,polished and waxed mine and as you know it needs to be done every 4-6 months. I was looking for a way the prolong that and found this site, and yes I've read all 58 pages:eek:
I work on a friend old car to try out the stuff i bought from AG. I ordered the groit's 3in orbital:buffing::, dry sanding discs 320,500,800 and 1500 wet. I'm sending a couple pics.
This is also the first time using any kind of sanding tool and I'm sure you guys can provide a few tips to another newbie on getting the best results with my new toy.
The last pic is after sanding with 320,500,800,1500wet and also used meguires ultimate compound . I'm assuming I still have some of the original clear coat as you might be able to see in the pic.
Any advise is greatly appreciated.:props:
 
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