Plastic headlight lenses

[speeder]

I've gotten pretty good at cleaning them up and bringing them back to clear but it never lasts long. Is there any product that actually coats and protects them once you've sanded and buffed them back to clear?

Thanks.

[onewhippedpuppy]

A friend of mine has really done good work on them for me, after his sand and polish he clear coats them with automotive clear coat. It does a nice job of restoring the gloss and protecting the plastic. I've also heard of people using marine varnish because it's heavy on the UV protection.

[aschen]

are you using one of the gritted polishes or actually wet sanding? I think you need to do the latter to have it last

I had good luck with this kit
https://www.amazon.com/3M-39014-Lens-Renewal-Kit/dp/B002UJ13QO/ref=sr_1_6?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1500401573&sr=1-6&keywords=3m+headlight+restoration+kit

[stomachmonkey]

Was fighting the battle on my Mazda3.

Eventually decided I'd just replace them.

Was organizing shelves in the garage one day and came across a can of furniture varnish.

Looked at the car, thought, what the hell, grabbed a handful of paper towel and went at it.

Worked awesome, even on sections that were already hazing up.

Not sure how long it will last since Ins Co totaled the car after this years hail but it was on there a good 2 years.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

I've done mine with a combination of either wet sanding 1000-2000 grit or buffing with compound.

Mine seem to last about a year either way. This year I just grabbed the buffer and knocked it out in about 5 minutes. I think a lot has to do with how pitted/ crazed they are. The little cracks/ imperfections that I don't sand out seem to re-haze quicker.

I do remember being at a volvo dealership and the dealer flunked another customer's car inspection for hazy lights. He then quoted $500 for new lenses. I wanted to go up to the customer and say... "Psssst... meet me in the back alley in 20 minutes. Bring $50 in cash and we can buff you out"

Probably wouldn't have gone over too well.

[scottmandue]

No real experience but how about after polishing applying a clear plastic film? (see the clear bra thread)

[masraum]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

No real experience but how about after polishing applying a clear plastic film? (see the clear bra thread)

I'd wondered about that too. I used to have some that was purchased from PelicanParts on the headlights on my 911.

[1990C4S]

I got two years from my wet sanded/polished/clear coated headlights. I do a lot of winter driving on roads with salt and sand.

But Chinese replacement glass covers or complete plastic replacements are only $70 for my car.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by aschen

are you using one of the gritted polishes or actually wet sanding? I think you need to do the latter to have it last

I had good luck with this kit
https://www.amazon.com/3M-39014-Lens-Renewal-Kit/dp/B002UJ13QO/ref=sr_1_6?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1500401573&sr=1-6&keywords=3m+headlight+restoration+kit

I always wet sand them first. Only take a couple minutes and you can always see the white muck coming off in the water. I grabbed some 1500 out of the wash pail yesterday and it worked great. Then I buffed w plastic cleaner/polish.

It just doesn't last worth a darn.

[Porchdog]

I have used plastic clear from a spray can after buffing them - I think it's Krylon. It has been at least a few years and I haven't had to repeat on any of them yet. I wet sand with 1000/2000 then use the 3m polish.

I have seen some that are so bad the plastic is crazed - can't polish that out.

[Cooper911SC]

When I recondition lights for customers I install clear bra film after sanding and polishing.

The reason you need to do this is because what you just sanded and polished off was the original UV coating that was over the plastic lens from new.
Once this is off the base polycarbonate plastic is very susceptible to oxidation and will do so in a few weeks.

The PPF is easier than masking and spraying with clear coat (which is the other way to go)

The PPF offers 2 plus sides, it blocks some UV while keeping air/ozone from attacking the plastic and it also offers resistance to stone damage.

You can purchase pre cut DIY headlight film from XPEL.
It will be 30 MIL thick which is really overkill...

I purchase my film from a local supplier and just use 8 MIL which is standard for PPF that goes on the painted surfaces of most cars.

If you are going to clear coat your lenses, using a 2 part catalyzed automotive clear is the best for durability.

You can buy this in a "convince" rattle can that has pre measured catalyst that you "mix" by pushing a button to break the inner seal. Then shake and spray. You have an hour or so working time after that. Available at paint supply stores like Finish Masters or Sav On Supplies. ~ $40.00

Using an un catalyzed clear like Krylon won't last as long from the UV standpoint or if you get something solvent on the lens.

Cooper

[Eric Coffey]

As Matt alluded to, I think the key is to inhibit the oxidation process and UV exposure as much as you can.
After polishing, maybe keep them coated with a good UV-blocking wax/coating/clear-coat, or spray (303, etc.).

EDIT: Ah, looks like Cooper beat me to it, and probably the guy to ask WRT the topic. Sounds like the protection-film route is probably the way to go.

[rusnak]

[masraum]

It sounds like Cooper has the good info. I think I have seen that Xpel stuff before and wondered about it. I think I can get precut stuff from our host. Maybe I should look into that before my headlights are toast.

[aigel]

Never found anything that lasted. On our Sequoia, I would just use polish wax every time I washed the car. Took 1 minute each and kept it functional. At time of sale, full monty polish.

The solution for me was to either have a car with glass lenses (993) or something newer than 2010, where they apparently solved the material issue. My 2011 VW has clear lenses that look as good as the day they came off the lot.

G

[mattdavis11]

Deep Woods off. I could buy a new ones from work for less than $40 a pair, but it's easier to just wipe them clean.

[speeder]

Thanks a lot. Some of the solutions presented are a little more than I'd want to bother with for my old PU truck but I still like to keep them clear. Looks a lot better and definitely impacts the performance of the lights.

If it was on some sharp looking car, I'd go a lot further in dealing w them.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

A friend of mine has really done good work on them for me, after his sand and polish he clear coats them with automotive clear coat. It does a nice job of restoring the gloss and protecting the plastic. I've also heard of people using marine varnish because it's heavy on the UV protection.

SPF a go-zillion

[asphaltgambler]

The lenses have an extremely thin protective coating when manufactured. When you polish them you end up removing the rest of that layer. Regardless of the product, it will never last. Just replace them, many sources online for OE quality.

[Steve Carlton]

One of our vendors who polishes headlights puts a coat of clear paint on when done to make it last. I'd think a spray can of clear would be well worth it.