Mineral spirits hazing up headlights?

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nj0ywatch1np0rn

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So I had just finished sanding my headlights from 800-3000. Cleaned em up with IA and let it dry. Mixed the spar/MS 50/50 and applied it. A few minutes later it started hazing up so I took some MS to wipe it off and try it again. Hazed up!

I re-sanded and cleaned up with mineral spirits and hazed up again?

Any ideas why?

Used Rusoleum Mineral spirits from autozone and the non-water based Spar Urethane from Home Depot!
 
After sanding your headlight surface, you have removed like the top coating and MS might be alittle rough on the bare plastic headlight surface. Do you really need the MS?
Good luck.
 
It's hard to say without seeing the headlight. If streaks are left from applicator or paper towel, and occur at the width of the applicator, suspect water vapor. If there is a general haziness with narrow streaks, I would check the spar. How old is it? What type of cup was it mixed in? Did the cup dissolve?

Your final clean should be 100% alcohol to remove any remaining material and especially any water. Probably overkill wiping with MS and alcohol. Another possibility is quality of alcohol or MS. Some are low grade but wouldn't matter if you were just thinning paint.

One way to test is to apply spar at 100% (no MS) in a small spot and let it dry. It may not be smooth, but it should be clear. If not, either your spar is contaminated or the headlight surface is contaminated.
ray6
 
I mixed it in a ceramic cup. I only applied the MS to "prime" the headlight before applying the spar/MS.

After it hazes, you can see the drip marks in the haze. I'd have to resand from 800 to remove the haze.

I mixed a fresh batch every time.
 
after 3000 grit, you have to compound and polish them. Then the haze will go away. Also dont touch them with Mineral spirits. Clean them with dawn and water or IPA and do a rinse after with plain water. Then seal or opti-coat them.

I do professional headlights.
 
When you say drip marks, do you mean the coating ran? Maybe your coating is too thin and is running. You might try mixing 70% spar and 30% MS. This will give you a thicker coating and less likely to sag or drip.
ray6
 
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