Headlight restoration

usaf2006 · Feb 12, 2017

Just picked up a used 2008 oem set of headlights. Need a little clear coat fixing. What's the best way to do that?

Spray new clear, and all applicable steps
Or
Sand and polish with plastic polish

Anyone ever use spray tint on headlights? I'd only go one coat just to darken them slightly.

Bullitt5339 · Feb 12, 2017

Chemical Guys has a couple great videos on headlight restoration on Youtube, here's one of them: https://youtu.be/kn9gVpF6-Mg

You could clearcoat them instead of using a sealer as the last step, I guess. You'd still need to sand them down to get the old cracking UV coating off or you'll end up with a shiny coat over the haze. I've always just used a sealer and reapplied it whenever I wax the car or truck. I just ordered the stuff to do the headlights on my son's Audi A4, which has some hazing.

Spray Tint? I'm assuming you mean something like Nightshades. That's big no-go. It's purple on clear lenses and looks like crap. If you can find someone who paints, they can mix some black tint into the clearcoat in order to tint them. My Mustang was done that way 8 years ago and they still look great. Just don't go too dark or you'll run into the problem I have with my truck......... I can't see anything at night.

usaf2006 · Feb 12, 2017

Yeah I'll skip that tint then. How long would rattle can clear coat last? Are there any better brands over the others?

usaf2006 · Feb 12, 2017

Found this interesting method. Page 11 has a one year later review that shows they're still good.

Headlight Restoration-new UV sealant idea

bulrid8 · Feb 13, 2017

I did mine last year. Wet sand from 400, 800, then 1500 grit. Wipe down with alcohol. Then 3 coats of clear coat. They still look new with no hazing.

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bgreenf · Feb 14, 2017

I am needing to do the same. Have you done this yet Usaf? I would love to see pics of your before after.

usaf2006 · Feb 14, 2017

bgreenf said:
I am needing to do the same. Have you done this yet Usaf? I would love to see pics of your before after.

Not yet. I'm expecting my tax return this week, and will be buying supplies I've I get received it. Not that supplies are expensive, but just trying not load the credit card too much before I pay it off lol.

Hopefully I can start this weekend. I'll keep you updated!

usaf2006 · Feb 15, 2017

bulrid8 said:
I did mine last year. Wet sand from 400, 800, then 1500 grit. Wipe down with alcohol. Then 3 coats of clear coat. They still look new with no hazing.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

What clear coat did you use? Got any pics of how they look? And by last year, when did you do it? Lol

bulrid8 · Feb 16, 2017

Here is the instructions.
http://www.viralnova.com/how-to-restore-headlights/

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usaf2006 · Feb 16, 2017

Did you use the rustoleum clear like they did?

bulrid8 · Feb 16, 2017

Yes. 3 coats. Been on since last April.

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usaf2006 · Feb 16, 2017

Awesome. Thanks for the info. As long as I get all my landscaping done tomorrow, I should hopefully get started on this Saturday.

usaf2006 · Feb 21, 2017

Got delayed, but I should be getting the supplies tonight.

usaf2006 · Feb 21, 2017

Picked up the goodies. Had a revelation. Going to take my headlights off, put the 08 oem ones on my truck, and practice the process first on my original headlights! Lol

usaf2006 · Feb 21, 2017

usaf2006 said:
Picked up the goodies. Had a revelation. Going to take my headlights off, put the 08 oem ones on my truck, and practice the process first on my original headlights! Lol

Here's my new headlights.

Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

Bullitt5339 · Feb 22, 2017

I just bought my son an Audi A4 Quattro and the headlights were bad looking. I was going to use the sand/cut/buff/seal method on them and started wetsanding them down.

Someone had done the sand and clearcoat method on them before and the lenses continued to deteriorate under the clearcoat. They also used cheap spray can clearcoat which clouded over the years. So now instead of a quick sand/cut/buff seal, we are having to get really aggressive with the sandpaper in order to get the clearcoat off and fix the plastic underneath.

So if you plan on keeping your truck for years, I wouldn't suggest clearcoating them because if you use rattlecan clearcoat, it's going to fog up over time and then it's 18 times harder to fix them the 2nd time. Not too bad on the Ram where you can get replacement headlights a dime a dozen, but on the Audi A4, the factory HID headlights are almost a grand each and there are no cheap aftermarket replacements.

usaf2006 · Feb 22, 2017

Thanks for the input Bullit. Already bought the goods, and will probably get it done this weekend. If they last me a year or two I'll be happy. Probably end up buying new headlights then anyways when I have more money.

But for about $45, I'll have clear headlights without the big amber strip, which will make me happy.

bulrid8 · Feb 22, 2017

The rustolium clear has a UV blocker in it. UV is what kills the headlights.

$45??? The stuff cost me like $12 total.

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usaf2006 · Feb 22, 2017

Well I paid $20 for a used set of 08 oem headlights. I bought about $120 worth of stuff the day I bought the headlight stuff, so I guesstimated $25 lol

Bullitt5339 · Feb 24, 2017

We finished up my son's headlights tonight. Here's a before and after from just wet sanding and polishing.

Headlight restoration

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