DIY: Restoring Headlights with New UV coating
11-10-2012, 07:43 AM
#84
any further details on what sander and grades you used. just getting around to tackling this again. planned on removing headlighys anyway.
Ok, so its been about 8 months since I last did mine. They were starting to fade just a little bit and this time I decided to take them off and sand them with a sander. I took a good bit of time to sand the entire lens very well and they turned out twice as better then the first time.
If you are planning on doing this I would suggest taking the extra 15 minutes to take the headlights off and use an electric sander.
If you are planning on doing this I would suggest taking the extra 15 minutes to take the headlights off and use an electric sander.
12-01-2012, 09:26 AM
#85
does the application method have to be in sideways swipes? Or can you use a microfiber and just polish it in, similar to how you would work PlastX in your headlights for example.
When I use the towel swiping method, it creates streaks in the headlights that are visible after it dries
When I use the towel swiping method, it creates streaks in the headlights that are visible after it dries
12-01-2012, 03:10 PM
#86
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I did this to my headlights and got great results. Regarding the method used to wipe the urethane mix on.....You're looking for a small, easily controlled square of microfiber. When you get all set to do this, get yourself a square bit of lexan or a piece of glass to practice the wiping technique on before doing the final to your headlights.
You'll find that a very specific way of holding it, the amount you dab on the cloth, the wiping pattern, and the overlap of the wiping pattern make a huge difference. Additionally, I found that I ended up using far less of the mixture than I thought I needed initially.
If you screw up the headlight, simply wipe the mess off with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits. Remember that its all or nothing, you have to get it applied in one uniform pass, and if necessary, you have to remove it all to redo it.
You'll find that a very specific way of holding it, the amount you dab on the cloth, the wiping pattern, and the overlap of the wiping pattern make a huge difference. Additionally, I found that I ended up using far less of the mixture than I thought I needed initially.
If you screw up the headlight, simply wipe the mess off with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits. Remember that its all or nothing, you have to get it applied in one uniform pass, and if necessary, you have to remove it all to redo it.
12-02-2012, 10:38 PM
#88
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400 > 800->1500->3000.
12-03-2012, 04:48 AM
#89
does the application method have to be in sideways swipes? Or can you use a microfiber and just polish it in, similar to how you would work PlastX in your headlights for example.
When I use the towel swiping method, it creates streaks in the headlights that are visible after it dries
When I use the towel swiping method, it creates streaks in the headlights that are visible after it dries
1. Mixture is off. Might not have enough MS in there
2. Applying too thick. Try using the blue lint free paper towels and swipe it up the side of the jar like you would a paint brush.
I tried using cheap foam applicators once and it didn't come out as good as I had hoped.
12-04-2012, 10:57 AM
#90
thanks tally
i also tried micro fiber towel first time and had to remove cause it didnt have a smooth finish for some reason and got a better smoother finish with regular bounty paper towel...couldnt find any of my blue shop paper towel and got impatient but had good results with the bounty folded over into about a 3" square
***Update***
ended up doing a trade/sale for some 06+ headlights. planning on applying same process to protect them.
i also tried micro fiber towel first time and had to remove cause it didnt have a smooth finish for some reason and got a better smoother finish with regular bounty paper towel...couldnt find any of my blue shop paper towel and got impatient but had good results with the bounty folded over into about a 3" square
***Update***
ended up doing a trade/sale for some 06+ headlights. planning on applying same process to protect them.
Last edited by vex008; 12-11-2012 at 09:06 AM.
12-22-2012, 02:53 PM
#91
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Hey guys, don't laugh too hard but i got pretty good results using Arm & Hammer toothpaste with a little bicarbonate of soda added to it. Mixed the toothpaste up with bicarb, applied with a damp rag in circular motion with a bit of elbow grease for about 5 0r 10 minutes and then wash off with wet rag and water and voila clean headlamp lens. Admittedly it doesn't look as good as some of the above but it cleaned my milky looking lenses up a treat. damn cheap too.
12-22-2012, 04:13 PM
#93
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yeah i appreciate that, i just wanted to mention that in these tough financial times, part of the job could be done cheaply saving money in order to buy the sealant which you correctly say that this thread is all about. i take your point!
01-17-2013, 08:41 AM
#94
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ok not sure if I missed it but I'm gonna try this sometime next week, after sanding the headlights with the many grits of sandpaper what product do I use to polish it before adding the mix to clear it. I know they make a maguiers lens polish but is that what I use? Sorry if I missed what product to usen guys.
Last edited by Lexo350z; 01-17-2013 at 08:44 AM.
01-17-2013, 09:08 AM
#95
ok not sure if I missed it but I'm gonna try this sometime next week, after sanding the headlights with the many grits of sandpaper what product do I use to polish it before adding the mix to clear it. I know they make a maguiers lens polish but is that what I use? Sorry if I missed what product to usen guys.
03-23-2013, 06:58 AM
#99
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I was wondering the same thing. Some brake clean splashed onto my headlights, and they spider/stress cracked pretty bad... Anyway, bought some Depo lights to jack the lenses, and I have read that they oxidize rather quickly, so I would like to apply this UV coating. I have also noticed since having them, the lenses aren't very durable and can scratch kind of easily. So I was thinking about putting a LaminX protective vinyl covers over this coating. Would there be an issue with this?
03-30-2013, 04:29 PM
#100
anyone have a problem with the uv coating having a hard time drying? Took almost 3 hours for my car to dry to the touch in 70 degree weather here in Hawaii. The lights look great but its been 6 months later and I can tell the uv coating is gone on some spots. I'm going to try several coats this next time I redo the lights but waiting hours between each coat is going to take forever. Any accelerator additives I can try or tips on drying?