New headlight coating

spiralout462

spiralout462

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I have acquired new headlights for my 2nd Gen Tacoma. I am planning to coat them with C QUARTZ UK prior to installation. Is there anything better , longer lasting, on the market today? I've been out of the online detailing world for a few months. :)
View attachment 53860
 
I tend to thing CQUK will last longer than dlux. ? I've always wanted to try opti lens though.
 
2nd gen for the win! see mine in the sig box. Love it. 2011 Dblcab, long bed, sport 4x4

I have only sealed my lights with a quality sealant, but am looking at using Optiseal before winter to test it before using on clients vehicles.

Will stay subbed to see options and results.
 
I have used dLux & Opti-Lens and it appears dLux has outlasted Opti-Lens as the Opti-Lens lights started to discolor slightly compared to the ones coated in dLux. Both were polished/refinished within days of each other.
 
Meguires has a new one out. It's on AG, but can't comment on its durability.
 
spiralout462 said:
I tend to thing CQUK will last longer than dlux. ? I've always wanted to try opti lens though.
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DLUX should last longer as it is made for plastics. It can also withstand higher temperatures. But CQUK would still work fine.

Mantilgh said:
I don't have any personal experience with them, but this should keep them well protected. Ease of use may depend on the complexity of the surface and experience.

XPEL Headlight Protection Kit, Xpel headlight film, x-pel headlight protection film

Opti-Lens is really easy to use and stores well as long as the air is purged from it, and it's supposed to have good UV protection.
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X-Pel is great on headlights. I have had it on my headlights for 2 years now and there are no signs of the coating failing on the headlights. The film looks great as well.

rlmccarty2000 said:
Meguires has a new one out. It's on AG, but can't comment on its durability.
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It's pretty good. It lasted a little over 1 year on my brothers girlfriends F150. They are starting to show signs of needing a reapplication.
 
I thought about the Xpel route. I am scared that it will be to visible. They get funky over time also.
 
Griots 11409 restoration kit.Its a sprayable protective coating.Ive never tried it just throwing it out there.
 
spiralout462 said:
I thought about the Xpel route. I am scared that it will be to visible. They get funky over time also.
Click to expand...

Xpel makes a kit for my car so I used that on these headlights. This is when I first put it on 2 years ago. Let me know if you can tell that the film is on them. I will give you a hint, look around the pegs on the lights where you can see the cut out for the film to go around them.

de3cc2bd.jpg


dae093b7.jpg
 
I use the Opti-Lens Protect on new lights and tailights.

Easy to apply, heat resistant and so far (2.5 years) looks like new.

The problem with normal paint sealants is the high heat produced by the holagen bulbs.

It can prematurely degrade the sealant and therefore the protection.

I used to use Opti-Coat 2.0 for same reason, but that has been discontinued.
 
The Guz said:
Xpel makes a kit for my car so I used that on these headlights. This is when I first put it on 2 years ago. Let me know if you can tell that the film is on them. I will give you a hint, look around the pegs on the lights where you can see the cut out for the film to go around them.

de3cc2bd.jpg


dae093b7.jpg
Click to expand...


Very nice, still!
 
Crispy said:
I use the Opti-Lens Protect on new lights and tailights.

Easy to apply, heat resistant and so far (2.5 years) looks like new.

The problem with normal paint sealants is the high heat produced by the holagen bulbs.

It can prematurely degrade the sealant and therefore the protection.

I used to use Opti-Coat 2.0 for same reason, but that has been discontinued.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. I keep CQUK on hand, so I will probably use that. I clean them off daily so there's always a little boost of protection from UWW+.
 
spiralout462 said:
Very nice, still!
Click to expand...

I tried that on my 2001 Grand Prix and failed.

Have one piece headlights now so may go to local guy who installs film and see how much.

Definitely the most protection and ease of maintanence.
 
If you are cleaning them daily and want to add UV protection then use something like Plexus or DP Plex-All.

I have had the longest lasting protection from using Opti-Lens (Opti-Coat 2.0 before that) on fully sanded/restored headlights where I am replacing the removed factory coating. I tried using C1 and EXOv2 on 2 sets of headlights, both MB with the rounded oval headlights from early 2000's. They both ended up turning white where the light beam is the most focused in the center of the lens. I ended up redoing those with Opti-Lens.

Since you are starting with already new headlights then DLUX or CQUK should work fine protecting the still new factory coating.
 
Ppf then coat the film. That would by far be the best option. Don't just think about oxidation... think about pitting over time from stones as that is equally as bad imo.

Find an installer that Uses a film like clearguard nano sr which has a nano coating built into the top layer. It's amazing stuff and then you don't have to coat. Beads water as good or better than any coating out there. You cab still use your cquk on top if you feel it's necessary

-Beach
 
•While they're still almost new...
-I'd sure put the XPEL Headlight
Protection Film (it's ~30mils thick)
on them before they become all
pitted and yellowed.


Bob
 
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