headlight oxidization

Gamesy · #1 05-04-2009, 03:11 PM

I was wondering if anyone has had this with their cars or not but if you did how did you clear up your headlights. I was looking into it and it seems that most methods use sand paper others just use a solution. I dont know which would be the best idea.

Sean486 · #2 05-04-2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gamesy

I was wondering if anyone has had this with their cars or not but if you did how did you clear up your headlights. I was looking into it and it seems that most methods use sand paper others just use a solution. I dont know which would be the best idea.

Most everyone has this issue. I used CV Headlight Restorer it worked well and is pretty cheap, but you usually have to do them once a year or every 2 years.

Blacky · #3 05-04-2009, 05:04 PM

Meguiar's PlastX here.

svxistentialist · #4 05-04-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean486

Most everyone has this issue. I used CV Headlight Restorer it worked well and is pretty cheap, but you usually have to do them once a year or every 2 years.

The different grades of sandpaper works the quickest and the best finish, but some of the solutions work like cutting compound, and they also give a good finish.

To get around re-doing the job it would be beneficial to remove the lamps and spray a few coats of UV inhibitor top-coat on the lenses. This will slow down the oxidation of the plastic.

You will probably still have to resurface them again in 5 years or so though.

redlightningsvx · #5 05-04-2009, 07:56 PM

I sanded mine and used 3 heavy coats of PPg 3000 clearcoat which is hard as a rock and uv resistant. They looks as close to new from comparing them to Mike621's at Reading.

Sean486 · #6 05-04-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redlightningsvx

I sanded mine and used 3 heavy coats of PPg 3000 clearcoat which is hard as a rock and uv resistant. They looks as close to new from comparing them to Mike621's at Reading.

Yeah they looked good, I thought they were new.

ensteele · #7 05-04-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redlightningsvx

I sanded mine and used 3 heavy coats of PPg 3000 clearcoat which is hard as a rock and uv resistant. They looks as close to new from comparing them to Mike621's at Reading.

Seth - how much sanding did you do and did you finish them smooth like you would even if you didn't paint them with the clear coat?

redlightningsvx · #8 05-04-2009, 08:31 PM

I sanded them a good bit with 600 wet to get most of the pits out of them, then I used 1000 & 1500 grit to smooth them up, Then I used a plastic adheasion promoter before I put the clear down.

ensteele · #9 05-04-2009, 08:59 PM

Sounds good. They did look very good.

redlightningsvx · #10 05-04-2009, 09:03 PM

Thanks. I also used the CV restorer before last Reading and it lasted only 6 months. I stated how much I liked it during the raffle.

But to each his own.

svxistentialist · #11 05-05-2009, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redlightningsvx

I sanded them a good bit with 600 wet to get most of the pits out of them, then I used 1000 & 1500 grit to smooth them up, Then I used a plastic adheasion promoter before I put the clear down.

That sounds like the way to go Seth. Pure brilliance, if you'll pardon the pun.

Any JDM cars I have had, and all waterfall grilles have been coated with clear coat from the factory.

This no doubt is for surface protection, but I wonder if they originally bothered to use UV blocking clearcoat? I think not. They did not bother with UV clearcoat on the mirrors, nor did they use it on the rear quarter plastic garnish. These are areas we all know tend to fade and go dull with age. A lack of quality control when dealing with outside suppliers going on here. They should have insisted on the specification of the paint used.

Joe

bheinen74 · #12 05-05-2009, 08:14 AM

The only way to keep the polishing from yellowing again within 4-6 months is to spray them with UV resistant clear coat.

Gamesy · #13 05-05-2009, 01:20 PM

what places carry UV clear coat stuff?

redlightningsvx · #14 05-05-2009, 06:31 PM

Any autobody supply will carry clears just tell them exactly what you want. Almost any clearcoat today is UV resistant. I used expensive paint because I had some left over from my car which will last many,many years. You can also get some cheaper clears that will last a couple years but not as long. You pretty much get what you pay for. A good, cheap clear would be PPG's Shopline brand which is better than Omni
(cheap) but not as good as Concept (excellent what I used).