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  #16  
Old 09-07-2012, 11:16 PM
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Re: Headlight restore

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean486 View Post
Does anyone have a clearcoat brand recommendation?
I am wondering if an anti-UV clear tint has the same effect as a clearcoat...
Any ideas?
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1994 Silver SVX in hybernation, awaiting for the monsterous awakening (Lebanon)
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  #17  
Old 09-08-2012, 11:08 AM
SoobCrazy SoobCrazy is offline
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Re: Headlight restore

Consumer Reports rated the 3M kit the highest of the three resotration kits they used.
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  #18  
Old 09-08-2012, 11:23 AM
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Re: Headlight restore

You can avoid buying the kits altogether by just getting some 1500, 2000, and 2500 grit sandpaper and then finishing off with some Meguiar's Plastic Polish.

Start of 1500, go to the 2000, then 2500, then use the plastic polish on a random orbital polisher to finish it off.

A lot less money (I think I spent $15 for the sand paper and the polish) and you can do multiple cars with supplies left over to do tail lights, corner light etc.

Last edited by dbarnblatt; 09-08-2012 at 11:49 AM.
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  #19  
Old 09-08-2012, 11:45 AM
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Re: Headlight restore

I'm ordering a sheet of Lamin-x film to put over them for when they are done. I was searching the net for a UV clear coat paint but there doesn't seem to be a good one to use.
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  #20  
Old 09-08-2012, 11:51 AM
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Re: Headlight restore

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean486 View Post
I'm ordering a sheet of Lamin-x film to put over them for when they are done. I was searching the net for a UV clear coat paint but there doesn't seem to be a good one to use.
That seems like a good idea. Where did you order it from?
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'97 Ebony LSi ~137k #036.......Power mode mod, JDM clear corners, BBS wheels. AUX/pocket mod

Now a mod "over there" ............Photo album
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  #21  
Old 09-08-2012, 12:09 PM
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Re: Headlight restore

Quote:
Originally Posted by icingdeath88 View Post
That seems like a good idea. Where did you order it from?
I haven't actually ordered it yet, but I will be ordering it right off the site. They don't have it precut for our cars like they do for some other makes, but I figure 2 8" x 16" sheets will work.

I am just going to order the clear although I was considering the smoked.

http://www.lamin-x.com/Two-Universal...rs-p/2-816.htm
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  #22  
Old 09-08-2012, 03:15 PM
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Re: Headlight restore

Just don't do what I did. Tried to precut shape, with backing on, over a spare set of headlights. The lens curve really throws off what is a basically a simple parallelogram shape. Now I need to reorder, install, and then cut after all is right.
Gene
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Last edited by bwb3; 09-08-2012 at 03:26 PM.
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  #23  
Old 09-08-2012, 04:14 PM
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Re: Headlight restore

Quote:
Originally Posted by bwb3 View Post
Just don't do what I did. Tried to precut shape, with backing on, over a spare set of headlights. The lens curve really throws off what is a basically a simple parallelogram shape. Now I need to reorder, install, and then cut after all is right.
Gene
Gene,
So what is your plan, are you just going to put it on oversized with the heat gun then trim it down?
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Reading Box of Wine Car
-----------------------------------
1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019
1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007
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  #24  
Old 09-09-2012, 02:37 PM
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Re: Headlight restore

Quote:
So what is your plan, are you just going to put it on oversized with the heat gun then trim it down?
That's it. I am going to start with a hair dryer but, I do have a true automotive heat gun (or I should say my son does). I was initially afraid of stray cut marks on the lens and less than prefect edges. Would you recommend masking tape and an artist's Exacto razor knife?. Material wise, will also plan for one more failure since I am all thumbs.

Gene
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1992 SVX LS AWD 110K - Liquid Silver
1994 SVX LSi AWD 128K - White Pearl (daily driver)
1994 SVX LSi AWD 95K - Emerald Pearl (sold)
1992 SVX LS-L AWD 115K - Dark Teal 4.44 swap (sold)

Last edited by bwb3; 09-09-2012 at 02:56 PM.
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  #25  
Old 09-09-2012, 04:54 PM
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Re: Headlight restore

Quote:
Originally Posted by bwb3 View Post
That's it. I am going to start with a hair dryer but, I do have a true automotive heat gun (or I should say my son does). I was initially afraid of stray cut marks on the lens and less than prefect edges. Would you recommend masking tape and an artist's Exacto razor knife?. Material wise, will also plan for one more failure since I am all thumbs.

Gene
Yeah the Exacto was my plan as well, I am going to try to find a flexible metal straight edge to run the knife against. Trim as close to the edge as I can. How hard could it be? What mil thickness are you getting? By the way what size sheets did you originally order?
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Reading Box of Wine Car
-----------------------------------
1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019
1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007
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  #26  
Old 09-09-2012, 05:14 PM
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Re: Headlight restore

I ordered a pair of 20 mil 8x16" sheets. Hoping it will be enough to do both the headlights and turn signals. If this stuff is anything like vinyl, it will be much easier to do than my carbon fiber wrap on the interior was, since the headlights are a big, mostly flat surface.

I'll probably take off the headlights, polish them, wrap the film past the edges on each side, and cut off the excess leaving ~1cm on the sides.
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'94 Laguna Blue LSi ~159k.......JDM ultra short-geared 3.900 STi Version 7 6-speed w/ Cobb shortshifter, ECUtune 244,8.1mm/256,9.1mm i/e cams, group N motor mounts, '97 grille, JDM clear corners, Momo JDM Legacy GT steering wheel, apkarian's LED tails, silver STi BBS wheels, PWR radiator, redstuff pads f/r, drilled/slotted rotors, bontragerworks rsb #18, Koni/GC 450f/375r coilovers, Megan Racing adjustable lateral links, KMac c/c plates, Stebro exhaust, ECUtune 1v5, Optima battery in the trunk where it belongs. Turbo project

'97 Ebony LSi ~137k #036.......Power mode mod, JDM clear corners, BBS wheels. AUX/pocket mod

Now a mod "over there" ............Photo album
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  #27  
Old 09-10-2012, 10:27 AM
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Re: Headlight restore

I purchased mine from X-PEL.com and it was 30 mil. Lamin-X.com looks like a better deal and maybe easier to work with.
Gene
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Gene and Ben
1992 SVX LS AWD 110K - Liquid Silver
1994 SVX LSi AWD 128K - White Pearl (daily driver)
1994 SVX LSi AWD 95K - Emerald Pearl (sold)
1992 SVX LS-L AWD 115K - Dark Teal 4.44 swap (sold)
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  #28  
Old 09-14-2012, 10:20 AM
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Re: Headlight restore

This was developed by a local friend of a friend. Easy, works great, cheap, lasts forever.



http://youtu.be/A7UYfa9JnNM
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  #29  
Old 09-14-2012, 11:12 AM
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Re: Headlight restore

Quote:
Originally Posted by fzftw View Post
This was developed by a local friend of a friend. Easy, works great, cheap, lasts forever.
I doubt that.
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Reading Box of Wine Car
-----------------------------------
1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019
1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007
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  #30  
Old 09-14-2012, 02:20 PM
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Re: Headlight restore

It has a lifetime warranty. I haven't kept a vehicle long enough to personally see the results but we have customers who have had it done years ago and they still look the same.
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Current fleet:
89 D21 2wd
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95 SVX LSi
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03 Avalanche NF
07 RDX
08 Outback
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10 Murano
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15 STi
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