Headlight restoration question...

[Kristopher1129]

I don't see finishing with 3000 grit mentioned at all, most finishing with 2000 grit. Is it too big of a jump from 1000 to 3000? I figured sine 1000 and 3000 grade are papers offered in the Meg's HL kit, that should be the ticket. :dunno:

My kit has 500, 800, 1000, and 3000. If the headlights are completely yellow. I dry sand with 500, then 800. Then wet sand with 1000, and 3000. At that point I compound (wool pad), polish (foam pad), and do the urethane sealant.

I don't think 1000 to 3000 is too much of a jump. I get great results every time. Sometimes I go straight to wet sanding depending on the condition.

 

[Josh@BR]

So I'm assuming most of you guys are doing all of your sanding by hand?

 

[Kristopher1129]

So I'm assuming most of you guys are doing all of your sanding by hand?

No, I use an air gun with the Hookit II discs and pads. I used to do it by hand but didn't like the results. Plus it's a pain in the ass. I also use the add on cushion between the discs and the backing plate so it bends to the lenses better.

 

[2old2change]

Thanks Kristopher. What kind of sealant is considered a urethane sealant? Will UTTG work?

Mark, somewhere I think it has been mentioned that the Mixwax urethane is not available in California due to it not being VOC compliant. If this is the case , give me a shout and I'll send you some. Paul S

 

[Kristopher1129]

Mark, somewhere I think it has been mentioned that the Mixwax urethane is not available in California due to it not being VOC compliant. If this is the case , give me a shout and I'll send you some. Paul S

I don't think it HAS to be the Minwax Indoor/Outdoor urethane. I think any clear gloss urethane will work just the same.

 

[PAR Detailing]

I would like to see if the urethane coating lasts longer than Opti-Coat... anyone know if someone has done a side by side test?

 

[Kristopher1129]

I would like to see if the urethane coating lasts longer than Opti-Coat... anyone know if someone has done a side by side test?

I've always wondered this myself. My guess would be that the Minwax lasts longer only because it probably goes on much thicker than Opti-coat. Opti-coat is polished in which I think leave a much thinner layer. Just a guess though.

I'd be really interested to hear the results of that test. :dblthumb2:

 

[2old2change]

I would like to see if the urethane coating lasts longer than Opti-Coat... anyone know if someone has done a side by side test?

If you check out the thread by HotRod , I think his coating test is about 2yrs old and holding up fine so far. It would be interesting to see a side by side comparision of this process and Opti-Coat. Any takers ? :buffing:

 

[Kristopher1129]

If you check out the thread by HotRod , I think his coating test is about 2yrs old and holding up fine so far. It would be interesting to see a side by side comparision of this process and Opti-Coat. Any takers ? :buffing:

Someone should do opti-coat on one lens, and minwax on the other and see what happens.

 

[PAR Detailing]

If you check out the thread by HotRod , I think his coating test is about 2yrs old and holding up fine so far. It would be interesting to see a side by side comparision of this process and Opti-Coat. Any takers ? :buffing:

Ya I have read the thread by Hotrod. Its a great idea for long lasting protection on headlights but with Opti-Coat out I wonder if that is no longer needed.

I dont have a vehicle that I could test it on and actually follow up with. Most of the cars I do are lease turn ins and get sold to never be seen again. Its good because I can practice and try new things on many many different cars but doing a durability test is just not practical.

 

[2old2change]

I don't think it HAS to be the Minwax Indoor/Outdoor urethane. I think any clear gloss urethane will work just the same.

I just picked up the Minwax as HotRod used in his thread to eliminate any changes in his process. I noticed in his thread there was mention of some trying the water based version. I've only done a few sets so far and the results were good and everyone is happy so far.

 

[2old2change]

I dont have a vehicle that I could test it on and actually follow up with. Most of the cars I do are lease turn ins and get sold to never be seen again. Its good because I can practice and try new things on many many different cars but doing a durability test is just not practical.[/QUOTE]


In the parking lot at work there are quite a few cars with badly clouded and faded headlights. Maybe I could offer a freebie . Let me see if I can find a test mule.

 

[HotRod]

If you check out the thread by HotRod , I think his coating test is about 2yrs old and holding up fine so far. It would be interesting to see a side by side comparision of this process and Opti-Coat. Any takers ? :buffing:

Someone should do opti-coat on one lens, and minwax on the other and see what happens.

I am definitely interested in the opti coat, and would look into testing it versus the spar urethane. Isn't the opti coat a urethane?
Once my current test has run its course, I might test out the opti coat and the spar urethane side by side, my guess is the opti coat wins, since they are claiming its a permanent coating.

 

[HotRod]

Also, something else to experiment with the spar urethane is multiple coats to see if it would help, also the spray on version versus the wipe on diluted version. When you apply the spar urethane to wood, you use more than one coat, and its not diluted and also its not suppose to be permanent. Marine spar urethane might be something to look into as well to see how durable it is. Alot of options to test, but my guess Opti Coat would be the winner.

 

[2old2change]

Thanks for chiming in HotRod. You can probably do a better job of testing then I could. I'm becoming a fan of Optimum products lately and agree their products are top shelf.

 

[HotRod]

Another more precise test would be to obtain a paint thickness guage, and see how much each UV treatment lasts or degrades over time. You can get very technical with this. Would a digital paint thickness guage measure the thickness of a coating on a plastic lens? I don't know if very many people would be interested in these findings, but it might be interesting to people making a living of it.

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Another more precise test would be to obtain a paint thickness guage, and see how much each UV treatment lasts or degrades over time. You can get very technical with this. Would a digital paint thickness guage measure the thickness of a coating on a plastic lens? I don't know if very many people would be interested in these findings, but it might be interesting to people making a living of it.

Only one of the ones that costs several thousand dollars -- these are the same ones used to measure coating thicknesses on non-ferrous and non-metallic substrates like aluminum and fiberglass. I know of no truly affordable PTGs that will measure over plastic substrates.