I am all kinds of confused about headlight "sealers"

[720pete]

I have a 2001 Civic and I just restored the headlights with sanding/wet sanding using the 3M lens restoration kit. They turned out very nicely but now I'm wondering about putting a clear sealant on the lenses. I'm confused with all the threads out there recommending different types of sealers and even some people creating their own sealant while other say no sealer is needed.

Can anyone give me an answer about whether I need a sealant and what works the best? I'm looking for longevity over visiual appearance. I live in WI so it gets extremely cold and snowy and I won't be able to put sealer or wax on the headlights between December and April. This is an outdoor car.

 

[Nick McKees37]

Headlight waxes/sealants need to regularly be applied for maximum protection. Another option is a headlight coating, such as Optimum Opti-Lens. This particular product is a resin-based coating designed to protect headlights against yellowing, fading and discoloration for the life of the vehicle. Optimum Opti-Lens Headlight Coating forms a covalent bond with the headlight and cross-links to blanket the lens with a durable, protective film. Headlights coated with Optimum Opti-Lens Headlight Coating will retain perfect clarity in any environment – forever!

Optimum Opti-Lens Permanent Headlight Coating

 

[cardaddy]

Headlight waxes/sealants need to regularly be applied for maximum protection. Another option is a headlight coating, such as Optimum Opti-Lens. This particular product is a resin-based coating designed to protect headlights against yellowing, fading and discoloration for the life of the vehicle. Optimum Opti-Lens Headlight Coating forms a covalent bond with the headlight and cross-links to blanket the lens with a durable, protective film. Headlights coated with Optimum Opti-Lens Headlight Coating will retain perfect clarity in any environment – forever!

Optimum Opti-Lens Permanent Headlight Coating

This this and THIS!!!!!!!

 

[Euphoria64]

Unfortunately if you don't want the headlight getting cloudy/yellow within a few months again, you gotta use a sealer. I would recommend using the one Nick posted about, since it lasts a couple years.

 

[Calendyr]

Your 3M kit should come with a pouch of sealant... if you put the content in a bottle it should last you quite a while. After that Opti-Lens would be a great option.

 

[Nick McKees37]

Unfortunately if you don't want the headlight getting cloudy/yellow within a few months again, you gotta use a sealer. I would recommend using the one Nick posted about, since it lasts a couple years.

If a coating isn't in your budget, another great alternative is a spray-on sealant, like Detailer's Headlight Protectant Spray. The key with this is to regularly apply it (after every other wash, etc). Only two sprays are needed per headlight, which means an 8 oz. bottle will last years.

Detailer's Headlight Protectant Spray

 

[Audios S6]

You don't need a sealant per se, however, not applying one means that the headlights will haze and yellow again pretty quickly. As such, it is strongly recommended that you apply one.

Which product you choose will depend on your own situation.

1. Is this a daily driver that will see a lot of miles?
2. Will the sealant or coating likely be abraded by salt/sand on the roads? Will you need to reapply the product more frequently than recommended because of this?
3. How often do you want to refinish or reseal the headlights?
4. Are you familiar with, and comfortable doing, the prep work required to get a good bond with a coating?
5. Are your headlights polished to perfection? Will you be disappointed to find you missed some light hazing after you coated them?

A sealant will need to be applied more often, but you will likely get many more applications per $, and if you choose a paint sealant, it can be used on your paint as well. A properly applied coating should last longer, but will cost more upfront. There really isn't a one size fits all solution, only you can decide what makes the most sense for you. My vote is also for Opti-lens unless your answers to the above questions disuade you from using a coating.

One could argue that if your headlights are constantly sandblasted on the road, a coating isn't going to last any longer than a sealant. One could also argue that if you have a garage queen and choose a coating, it may be the last time you ever have to touch the headlights.

 

[FUNX650]

I have a 2001 Civic
Can anyone give me an answer about whether I need a sealant and what works the best?
I'm looking for longevity over visiual appearance. I live in WI so it gets extremely cold and snowy and
I won't be able to put sealer or wax on the headlights between December and April. This is an outdoor car.

Any of the Coatings/Sealants recommended will work.

But afterwards, and for the best added-protection I've found, is to install the XPEL Headlight Protection Film.

It can be found here:
XPEL Headlight Protection Kit, Xpel headlight film, x-pel headlight protection film

Or XPel's web site:
{Where tinted films...for even more protection...can also be found.}



Bob

 

[cardaddy]

Any of the Coatings/Sealants recommended will work.

But afterwards, and for the best added-protection I've found, is to install the XPEL Headlight Protection Film.

It can be found here:
XPEL Headlight Protection Kit, Xpel headlight film, x-pel headlight protection film

Or XPel's web site:
{Where tinted films...for even more protection...can also be found.}

:iagree: although mine is a different brand.

That being said; Infiniti recalled my headlights years ago, claiming it has something to do with the cutoff line on the drivers side being a bit high, (may blind an oncoming driver). Considering mine have film and they won't pay to recover them that is reason enough not to do the recall, and of course the reason I never took mine back.