I helped a friend out today by wet sanding and polishing the headlights on her recently purchased '54 plate BMW 3 series. They'd gone very cloudy and we were happy with the results. I'm aware that restored headlights can benefit from a UV sealant, but despite a lot of research on here and elsewhere, I'm unsure of which products are currently the recommended options. I've been considering Meguiars Keep Clear Headlight Coating and E-TECH Restored Headlight Clear Coat.
julianhj
TBH you can use anything, wax, sealant etc. As long as you add some protection, it's very easy to reapply on the very small area of two headlight's.
Wipe over with a panel wipe and add what you choose,
Wipe over with a panel wipe and add what you choose,
Your best bet is to panel wipe them then give them 2-3 coats of clear gloss lacquer. Lacquer has a UV protection in it. You may find that the lacquer blooms on plastic. Don’t worry, do one at a time and dry each coat with a heat gun. If they bloom, heating them with a heat gun will make it disappear. Waxing them will not give them UV protection, they will go brown again in a matter of time.
what clear coat have you used?What Ridderrs said above, get them lacqured, did the wifes nissan 2 years ago and they're still great, no yellowing/hasing etc.
I used Novol's NOVAKRYL 540, with its hardener H5140.
I did apply 3 or 4 coats - quite (too) heavy on the basis that if I had to subsequently sand n polish there'd be pleanty to go at. I've not had to although there is some slight crazing in the lacquer on the top near horizontal areas (lacquer too thick and obviously didnt allow enought time to flash off, it was a bit rushed as working in a makeshift 'tent' outside), and a run at the very bottom, which very few would notice, it's wonderfully clear otherwise
The perfectionist in me says at some time i will address, sand back and polish the run etc. just as for lacquered paint, but as its gone through 2 mots without any notice or comment puts this somewhat lower on my things to to list. Have suffered no yellowing or cloudy/foggyness since, just nice and clear without any subsequent work
I recommend lacquering as a permanent fix.
I did apply 3 or 4 coats - quite (too) heavy on the basis that if I had to subsequently sand n polish there'd be pleanty to go at. I've not had to although there is some slight crazing in the lacquer on the top near horizontal areas (lacquer too thick and obviously didnt allow enought time to flash off, it was a bit rushed as working in a makeshift 'tent' outside), and a run at the very bottom, which very few would notice, it's wonderfully clear otherwise
The perfectionist in me says at some time i will address, sand back and polish the run etc. just as for lacquered paint, but as its gone through 2 mots without any notice or comment puts this somewhat lower on my things to to list. Have suffered no yellowing or cloudy/foggyness since, just nice and clear without any subsequent work
I recommend lacquering as a permanent fix.
I've tried so many sealants and waxes.
As my car faces the sun at home and work, these all fail after 1 summer
Gtechniq C4
Meguiars headlight lacquer spray
Turtle Wax headlight sealant.etc etc
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Did a clear vinyl wrap 3 summers ago and they are still crystal clear 😎
As my car faces the sun at home and work, these all fail after 1 summer
Gtechniq C4
Meguiars headlight lacquer spray
Turtle Wax headlight sealant.etc etc
Did a clear vinyl wrap 3 summers ago and they are still crystal clear 😎
As @HEADPHONES said, PPF is the best way to stop them dropping back 👌🏻
I use SunTek PPF to protect the lights after restoration.
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I use SunTek PPF to protect the lights after restoration.
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