Headlight Restoration-new UV sealant idea

[Dugdug]

Ok guys! Today i visited Autozone (i bought a painful heater core replacement.. :S). I was looking all over the entire store, and :O! I found Rustoleum Odorless Mineral Spirits. As some people here know, i live in mexico, and i got no luck finding klean strip OMS.

Has anybody used Rustoleum OMS ones for applying spar urethane technique?

I will buy a bottle of this OMS tomorrow and let's see how it works.

at this point I would say, go ahead and test it out on an old headlight lol I know how big of an issue it is for you in mexico lol What about ordering it? If you can't find it online by next friday, I'll ship one to you lol

 

[jyu1210]

Are you guys still using the 50/50 mixture ?

 

[Dugdug]

Are you guys still using the 50/50 mixture ?

I am, a lot are, some are using 60/40. Seems to work for them too for the most part.

 

[Dugdug]

at this point I would say, go ahead and test it out on an old headlight lol I know how big of an issue it is for you in mexico lol What about ordering it? If you can't find it online by next friday, I'll ship one to you lol

if it's possible to ship it of course.

 

[DaHen]

Are you guys still using the 50/50 mixture ?

Yup, seems to work ok.

 

[Louie_Blu]

Are you guys still using the 50/50 mixture ?

I am, a lot are, some are using 60/40. Seems to work for them too for the most part.

Yup, seems to work ok.

60/40 works great for me I switch from the 50/50 mix but everyone has there own way of applying it, you gotta do what works best for you both have pros and cons IE: streaks 60/40 no streaks 50/50 some streaks but thats me, what about you guys?

 

[Part-timer]

Are you guys still using the 50/50 mixture ?

I used the 50/50 mixture over a year and had some where the coating seemed to wear off somehow. I began using the 60/40 and haven't had any problems since. As far as the question about bubbles.......
1. Do you shake the mixture up in your bottle? I use a small cup and mix lightly with a plastic spoon. Shaking causes bubbles.

2. Do you use any polish before applying the mixture? I don't use polish but regardless, you should wipe the lens using the mineral spirits on a clean scott towel, prior to application.... Then when you apply the spar mixture make a swipe all the way around the edges first and then wipe horizontally from one side to the other side and repeat until the entire lens is covered.

 

[jyu1210]

I used the 50/50 mixture over a year and had some where the coating seemed to wear off somehow. I began using the 60/40 and haven't had any problems since. As far as the question about bubbles.......
1. Do you shake the mixture up in your bottle? I use a small cup and mix lightly with a plastic spoon. Shaking causes bubbles.

2. Do you use any polish before applying the mixture? I don't use polish but regardless, you should wipe the lens using the mineral spirits on a clean scott towel, prior to application.... Then when you apply the spar mixture make a swipe all the way around the edges first and then wipe horizontally from one side to the other side and repeat until the entire lens is covered.

I actually did shake the bottle with the 60/40 mixture inside, thought it was the problem that caused the small bubbles appearing on the lens when I applied it. So I then mixed 50/50 into a small plastic cup and stirred gently with a toothpick. I soaked the scotts towel into the mixture, let it soak up then took it out and used a napkin to squeeze a bit of the mixture off the scotts towel so it wouldn't be uneven in application. I gently put the towel onto the lense starting from top from left to right, overlapping passes going all the way down. I took a look at the headlight after I was done and there it was, little small bubbles again all over the lens.

Any ideas what I did wrong?

 

[DaHen]

I soaked the scotts towel into the mixture, let it soak up then took it out and used a napkin to squeeze a bit of the mixture off the scotts towel so it wouldn't be uneven in application. I gently put the towel onto the lense starting from top from left to right, overlapping passes going all the way down.
Any ideas what I did wrong?

Hummmm. 'Tis puzzling.

Only thing I do differently is not to squeeze any of the mixture off the blue towel. I leave the towel soaking wet, I mean drenched, even my fingers have the mixture on them.
Don't think that I am gentle when applying the mixture onto the lens. As when painting a room in the house, I just slap it on. (Of course the lenses are taped off.)

 

[Louie_Blu]

Hummmm. 'Tis puzzling.

Only thing I do differently is not to squeeze any of the mixture off the blue towel. I leave the towel soaking wet, I mean drenched, even my fingers have the mixture on them.
Don't think that I am gentle when applying the mixture onto the lens. As when painting a room in the house, I just slap it on. (Of course the lenses are taped off.)

Would like to know if you try my method of applying the Mix will work for you guys I posted this a few pages back works like a charm for me with no bubbles when applying you are looking at it and it looks like you are causing streaks in reality your not, leaves to you to wonder did I do it right? should I do it again? that alone will make you hit it with mineral spirits and redoing when not needed also remember you will see glares and reflections that make you say what? that doesn't look right, trust me it is completely fine come back later take a look I bet you wont say that later, here is the common problem when applying that causes streaking, most of us will saturate the Scotts Towel which is what we want to do but we immediately attack the headlight as if this stuff was going to melt in your hands lol thats not the case, yes if left out to long it will begin to dry up & evaporate, so there lies the problem to much of a wet end then apply will leave runs and streaks, so by saturating the Blue Scotts towel applicator end kind of bounce in your hand so that the towel soaks up the mix you can see it in towel that there isn't a big fat glob on it, once it is soaked in apply in a nice fluid motion right to left or left to right but always in a Horizontal pattern and overlap by 50% I haven't had a streak yet remember to Bounce that towel/applicator end 3 to 4 times let it soak in then apply,.. try it let me know how it worked for you. Good Luck guys

 

[BorisC]

Also if you're pre-mixing in a squeeze bottle like I do, be sure to soak both sides of the application end of the shop cloth. And like Louie_Blu said, make sure it's soaked into the cloth with no dry spots.

 

[jyu1210]

I'll give it another try tonight and see how it goes, I'm not sure what I did wrong. I seem to done everything correctly.

 

[Part-timer]

I'll give it another try tonight and see how it goes, I'm not sure what I did wrong. I seem to done everything correctly.

I'm not sure why you'd get bubbles. Maybe try posting your entire process with every tiny detail. That way maybe some ideas will surface. I wet sand everything with 3 or 4 grits by hand.....then clean well.....wipe with the mineral spirits and apply the coating mixture. I sometimes have some tiny bubbles but they quickly disappear as the mixture self levels.

 

[jyu1210]

Here's my process ... First I sand with 800,1000,1500,2000, all wet sanded in horizontal sanding. After I'm done with sanding, I hit the lenses with mineral spirits to wipe clean the areas and then with 91% isopropyl alcohol then buff dry with a clean microfiber. I then get out my small plastic disposable cup and I use a measuring spoon to measure out 50/50 mineral spirits and spar urethane. The spar and mineral spirits are in 4 oz plastic bottles. Then I use a toothpick to stir the mixture together and I then use half a shop towel and fold it into 1 inch by 1 inch and I dip 3/4 of the towel into the cup letting it soak it all in for about 3 seconds. Then I use a napkin a lightly/gently squeeze the soaked part of the towel. After that, I place the towel onto the top right corner of the headlight and start applying it from right to left, over lapping each pass at 50%. After I'm done with the procedure I take a look at the headlight and I clearly see little small dots that seems to be unfilled with the sealant.

 

[BorisC]

The spar and mineral spirits are in 4 oz plastic bottles.

The process seems fine. I don't know if you've answered this elsewhere: Is it possible that the spar and/or ms was contaminated while putting it in the bottles or something was in the bottles? Maybe even in the original containers? Do keep the bottles outside in your car overnight, maybe moisture is an issue? I know I'm probably reaching at this point b/c I pre-mix my spar & usually leave it out overnight. Temps have been in the 30's & go to the 60's+ during the day so if moisture isn't affecting that...? Any pics?

The only thing I can suggest at this point is get new cans of spar & ms, if you haven't already. One thing I do before mixing is wipe anything I'm using to mix w/ ms.

 

[jyu1210]

I don't think moisture if a problem, the spar is still in its original can but sealed tight and saran wrapped. The mineral spirits are also in its original can, both are in my house all the time.

But if I do get new cans of spirits and spar , then what do you suggest to put them in?

 

[Louie_Blu]

Here's my process ... First I sand with 800,1000,1500,2000, all wet sanded in horizontal sanding. After I'm done with sanding, I hit the lenses with mineral spirits to wipe clean the areas and then with 91% isopropyl alcohol then buff dry with a clean microfiber. I then get out my small plastic disposable cup and I use a measuring spoon to measure out 50/50 mineral spirits and spar urethane. The spar and mineral spirits are in 4 oz plastic bottles. Then I use a toothpick to stir the mixture together and I then use half a shop towel and fold it into 1 inch by 1 inch and I dip 3/4 of the towel into the cup letting it soak it all in for about 3 seconds. Then I use a napkin a lightly/gently squeeze the soaked part of the towel. After that, I place the towel onto the top right corner of the headlight and start applying it from right to left, over lapping each pass at 50%. After I'm done with the procedure I take a look at the headlight and I clearly see little small dots that seems to be unfilled with the sealant.

your process seems ok I don't think you need to use IPA after the MS at least I don't, I use MS and let it dry, it dries relatively quick then I saturate my scotts towel end then apply, they only thing I can think of is you might have a bad apple either MS or Spar I would try replacing both and see if that works

I don't think moisture if a problem, the spar is still in its original can but sealed tight and saran wrapped. The mineral spirits are also in its original can, both are in my house all the time.

But if I do get new cans of spirits and spar , then what do you suggest to put them in?

I wouldn't put them in anything else just leave them in the original cans and seal it tight after using Good luck and let us know what happens

 

[jyu1210]

If I keep the contents in its original containers, its a bit hard to pour out even amounts of spar/minerals out of the original containers. Especially the mineral spirits as it doesn't want to pour in one direction.

 

[Louie_Blu]

If I keep the contents in its original containers, its a bit hard to pour out even amounts of spar/minerals out of the original containers. Especially the mineral spirits as it doesn't want to pour in one direction.

This is not hard to do, I use these Measuring cups and a small funnel and these 4 oz. Bottles to keep the Mix in, The Spar Should be kept in its Original container I have yet to find something else that will hold the Spar as good as the Original

1 oz. Measuring Cups

Black 4 oz. Bottle with Flip Cap

This is how I do it.
I place a 2 blue scotts towel on a table put the Spar Urethane, Mineral Spirits, 4oz. applicator bottle, (2)1 oz. measuring cups, funnel and a small cup to mix on top of the towels, I then open the Spar Urethane and place the lid on the towel, I then take the 1oz. Measuring cup and dip it in the Spar Urethane Container of course some will be dripping from the bottom but I wait till its almost drip free then I pour it all into the Separate mixing cup, I take another (not the same 1oz. measuring cup) New 1oz. Measuring Cup and open the cap on the Mineral Spirits and pour it into the 1oz. measuring cup then I pour that into the mix cup with the Spar Urethane, I like this method Because you know that these are 1oz. cups so these together will give you 2oz. of the Mix, now while in the mixing cup stir with a stick can be anything to mix it I prefer wooden sticks like Popsicle sticks after the mix is well stirred I take my small funnel and place it in the 4 oz. applicator bottle then pour it in place the cap back on the applicator bottle and when ready to use shake and use, Now I use a 60/40 mix so when I am pouring mineral spirits into the 1oz. cup I only pour 3/4 in then I mix if you want 50/50 mix use all 1.oz in both measuring cups.

A lot of us have their own methods on preparing and mixing and how they use the mix, this method works great for me and I can do about 3 to 4 cars with that amount after about 3 days I will make a new mix for me it still works great up to the 3rd day, others will make the mix on a per car basis, Personally don't like mixing anything were the customer can see it although its not a secret I just don't like explaining whats this and that for, if you know what I mean.

I hope this helps you and if you need anymore help Just ask Good luck:dblthumb2:

 

[jyu1210]

I just purchased an additional spar and minerals today at my local home depot. I redone my procedure on a new headlight , but I noticed that after I finished my wet sanding, I cleaned the headlight with some mineral spirits and as I looked at it, I noticed tiny small bubbles all over the headlights. So this gave me the idea that the bubbles might not have been from the mixture, but probably from tiny rock chips the lens instilled beforehand. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but have anyone ever dealt with a pair of headlights that had small rock chips and when you apply the sealant over it that the tiny chips seems to still be there and not filled in with the spar/mineral mixture.