Headlight Restoration

[mis3]

I used Meguiar's G3000 Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit over the weekend with great results. The last step was to apply the Headlight Protectant. Should this protectant be applied once in a while, without going through the whole process?

I usually apply wax to the headlights when I wax my car, should I still do the same?

[The Guz]

Re: Headlight Restoration

If you plan to use the dedicated headlight protectant then it's recommended to be applied every 6-8 weeks. I would recommend a sealant over a wax if you choose to use something else other than the provided protectant. If they start to haze again all you may need is a polish like plastx or some ultimate compound/ultimate polish.

[mis3]

Re: Headlight Restoration

I repeated the whole process a few times and while the results were good, it did not last long. Frankly, it is a lot of work for just a few weeks of brighter headlights. This is why I had hoped that the wax would prolong the effects.

BTW. How would you consider Utlimate Wax, a wax or sealant? I also have an old bottle of Synthetic Sealant 2.0. Should I use it on top of the Headlight Protectant?

[The Guz]

Re: Headlight Restoration

UW, NXT, M21, Paint Protect = sealants


How about getting the perfect clarity kit. The coating in it has a claim of lasting 1 year.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?62178-Perfect-Clarity-Headlight-Restoration-Kit

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?62579-Using-Perfect-Clarity-Headlight-Restoration-Kit

Here's my review on it.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?62614-Another-Perfect-Clarity-Headlight-Restoration-Kit-Review

[mis3]

Re: Headlight Restoration

Looks promising. Thanks, Gus.

Where do you get it from US store, Walmart, Target? I perfer not to buy online.

[The Guz]

Re: Headlight Restoration

I bought my kit at autozone. I have seen it cheaper at walmart.

[mis3]

Re: Headlight Restoration

I bought my kit at autozone. I have seen it cheaper at walmart.

I went to Walmart.com and while I found Meguiars Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit, I did not see the Perfect Clarity Kit.

Questions:

1. I watched a Youtube video and a few pictures from you (Gus) and they did the work when the headlights were removed form the car. Is this necessary? Frankly, I do even know how to remove the headlights from my car.

2. How easy is it to spray the coating onto headlights? Would the product run??

3. Gus: The date of your review was Feb-2015. How are they holding up?


Thanks

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Headlight Restoration

The reason the results of a headlight correction process tends to be short lived is pretty simple, really: Modern headlight lenses come from the factory with a UV protective coating. That coating is what takes the bulk of the attack from both UV exposure and physical exposure (car washes, road debris impact, etc) and it is primarily this coating that becomes badly oxidized and yellowed over time. So when you correct it in any way, from compounding to sanding or any other process, you're effectively removing that coating. There just is no way to remove that oxidation/yellowing without removing what remains of that coating. And once that coating is gone, the headlights look great but are now susceptible to faster degradation than before. That's why you end up in sort of a "routine maintenance" mode with the lenses.

Our new Perfect Clarity Headlight Kit, as mentioned by Mike (The Guz) remedies that problem with the aerosol spray protective coating included in the kit. This is essentially a clear coat paint with very strong UV blocking characteristics. It is independently ASTM Certfied against UV degradation for a full year. Since it is an aerosol, however, you'll want to take the same precautions as you would when spraying a typical spray paint - mask off not just the immediately adjacent panels, but rather an area probably a few feet around the headlight itself, on all sides. If you're spraying with any wind present, be extra cautious. Taking a couple extra minutes to mask well will pay huge dividends in the long run. Heck, you could simply lay a bunch of old shop towels on the paint around the lenses and be well ahead of the game.

Now, it is important to remember that this spray on UV screening clear coat needs at least a very light texture to the surface in order to bond. You can spray this onto a brand new lens, for example, and expect it to stick. Similarly, you can not sand a headlight, buff it out to perfection and then spray this coating on. You must leave at least the 3000 grit sanding mark and spray over that if you intend to go that route. When using the Perfect Clarity Kit with all components, it really is a simple matter of squirting some of the included cleaner onto one of the included gray Scotch-Brite pads and very thoroughly working it against the yellowed, oxidized lens. This technology comes straight from the body shop world where this exact process is used to scuff panels prior to painting. It will take a yellowed, oxidized lens and yield a lightly frosted, silvery-white appearance when used fully and properly. It is onto this cleaned surface that you directly spray the UV protectant and it almost looks like a magic trick when you do it - that silvery-white frosted appearance immediately turns crystal clear when the UV protectant is applied to it. Apply a couple of coats, pull the masking tape and surrounding masking material off, and you're done.

[The Guz]

Re: Headlight Restoration

Perfectly stated.

I went to Walmart.com and while I found Meguiars Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit, I did not see the Perfect Clarity Kit.

Questions:

1. I watched a Youtube video and a few pictures from you (Gus) and they did the work when the headlights were removed form the car. Is this necessary? Frankly, I do even know how to remove the headlights from my car.

2. How easy is it to spray the coating onto headlights? Would the product run??

3. Gus: The date of your review was Feb-2015. How are they holding up?


Thanks

I did not remove the headlights from the car. I actually just masked them off when using the kit. Mike said it right about masking the area since this is an aerosol.

If you hold the nozzle down all the way and hold it onto one spot then I can see a run happening. I did short bursts just every time I have used it. That works for me.

I see my brothers car more often and the coating is holding up just fine. I have not seen my uncle's Nissan truck in my review in awhile so I can't comment on that one.


Mike also brought up a good point about finishing with 3000 grit and then just using the coating. I recently did that on this truck

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?63137-2006-Ford-F150-Harley-Davidson-Edition

I also did that on one of my mom's headlights a couple weeks back. I just didn't take photos of that one.

I have gotten more than 2 sets of headlights out of the coating even after using 2 coats. The largest set of headlights being on the two trucks.

[mis3]

Re: Headlight Restoration

Yes, this "routine maintenance" of the Heavy Duty kit is too laborious for a few weeks of clean lens!

Looking at the instruction video, I am concerned that I spray too much or too little to the lens.

[Spazzz]

Re: Headlight Restoration

Yes, this "routine maintenance" of the Heavy Duty kit is too laborious for a few weeks of clean lens!

Looking at the instruction video, I am concerned that I spray too much or too little to the lens.

It would be like spray painting I would imagine. A quick light tack coat....wait for whatever directions state, then 2 or 3 wet coats.
The key is probably about 8 inches away and spray horizontal overlapping lines . Start spraying before the headlight and let off after the headlight. Continue the sweeping horizontal movements until you get to the bottom or top depending where you start. Your speed has to be fluid, not slow and not racing.

The good news is if you mess up, you can sand it smooth and start over.
You could always grab a can of cheap spray paint and practice on a piece of plastic to refine your technique.

[mis3]

Re: Headlight Restoration

For Gus's post of his detailing works of the F150:
"Tried using the abrasive liquid in the perfect clarity headlight kit but that didn't cut it. Ended up using 1000 and 3000 grit unigrit pads. Then the lights were sealed with the coating from the perfect clarity kit. There is still some defects as there are small fractures on the internal part of the lens. But much better than before."

I still have the grit pads (1000, 3000) from my Heavy Duty Restoration Kit.. Maybe I will do the same, first the cleaning liquid, then the 1000 grit pad and finish up with the 3000 grit pad.

I checked and this Perfect Clarity kit is not available in Canada. I have asked my friend in US to buy for me.

[mis3]

Re: Headlight Restoration

My friend bought this headlight restoration kit for me from US. Since I just restored my headlights using the Heavy Duty kit recently, I will wait until they haze again before using the new product.

Thanks all for your comments.

[The Guz]

Re: Headlight Restoration

You can still use it. A little scuff with the pad and abrasive liquid won't hurt. Then use the coating.

[mis3]

Re: Headlight Restoration

You can still use it. A little scuff with the pad and abrasive liquid won't hurt. Then use the coating.

I rather wait. I did it 3 weeks ago and my headlights still look good now.

The new product is not available in Canada and since I was meeting my friend from US last weekend, I asked him to buy it for me. He told me he bought it from his local Walmart.