Question about Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating

[Cogos]

A couple of months ago, I purchased new headlights, but I was hesitant about putting a protective film on it, because I've read quite few negative reviews on forum about causing spider web like cracking. I've been putting Meguiar Liquid Ultimate wax on them every week. I don't know if this excessive? lol Anyway, I just found out about Meguiar headlight coating.

What is this made of? Is this clear coat? Is it a sealant? or is similar to the coating used on paint?

More importantly, if apply Meguiar headlight coating (supposedly lasts 1 year), can I still use liquid wax on top of it, or would the liquid wax interfere with the coating?

Once I apply the coating, do I limit to washing the headlights with just water and wash soap?

[The Guz]

Re: Question about Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating

You can apply a wax over the headlight coating as maintenance if you like. The headlight coating is a synthetic protectant.

Also I have been using headlight protection film from xpel on my headlights and I have had no issues in years. Keeps the headlights protected. No issues with them cracking.

[Cogos]

Re: Question about Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating

That's you, lots of people had problems online with cracking, probably cause they live in hotter climates. Also if you go to xpel website faq, you will see they don't have UV protection. No headlight film does. It may serve as a physical barrier which may reduce the power of solar rays a bit, but it will still cause sun damage. You can put wax or sealant on them though.

It is basically just like working next to window that is not tinted. The physical window will reduce the sun's rays a bit, but you are still getting them. Just like a cars windshield, it will help reduce sun damage on your skin a little, but you're still getting hammered directly every time you drive. And this is tempered glass which is thicker than a plastic film

The main purpose of the film is to protect against scratches and debris just like a phone screen protector

At very best, it may reduce sun damage slightly due to being another layer on top of the headlights. I live in Florida so I refuse to take a Gamble and possibly have the film cracks my headlights due to stress heat

[The Guz]

Re: Question about Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating

And I live in Southern California where it is sunny all year long with extreme heat every so often and high levels of UV. Never had any issues with xpel causing problems with my lights, my dad or brothers with them sitting outside 24/7. I'm looking at the label I got with the kits I have ordered and this is what it says on it Will not crack, yellow, shirnk, peel or damage your lights in any way, Protects against rocks, stones, gravel, abrasions, bug acid and weathering, Maintenance free, Won't damage your vehicles aerodynamics or appearance, It is virtually invisible.

Those are the claims. I have changed from my previous headlights due to the physical color of the housing inside (I painted them black when I opened them up) to an all clear housing. Those black headlights have had xpel for close to 5 years and look great to this day with the car sitting outside 24/7. The new headlights are holding up very well after a few months as well (almost approaching 1 year). This is my personal experience with xpel.

You have to continue research and verify and eventually take a risk. Experience is often better than going by what others say.

The way I see it is my lights are protected and stay looking better longer than having them exposed to the high UV levels we have here in So Cal. Add a layer of wax, sealant or in my case (ceramic coating) on top of the film for added protection and hydrophobics.

The headlight coating from Meguiar's is good. It will last exactly 1 year and will have to be redone once again. The benefit is that it is easy to use.

[Cogos]

Re: Question about Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating

I'm yet to receive a response of what the heck is the coating. Is it clear coat? What does it do. I read someone who said that this coating Removes clear coat which is why you have to cover the surrounded paint.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Question about Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating

I'm yet to receive a response of what the heck is the coating. Is it clear coat? What does it do. I read someone who said that this coating Removes clear coat which is why you have to cover the surrounded paint.

Cogos,

Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating is a polymer based coating, and can be applied to new headlights or headlights that have been restored. For new headlights, the use of our Keep Clear Headlight Coating will protect the factory coating on the headlight, helping to prevent it from oxidizing. (this is why headlights turn yellow & oxidized, because the factory coating on the exterior of the headlight assembly wears down from elements of the environment like UV Rays) On restored headlights, since little or none of the original protective coating is left behind after most restoration processes , Keep Clear Headlight Coating does jus that, provide a protective coating so they do not revert back to being yellowed & oxidized. We recommend taping off & protecting the paint & other surfaces surrounding the headlight assembly, because Keep Clear Headlight Coating can leave shiny streaks & an uneven appearance if it gets on a surface other than the headlight...

Here are some threads with more information for reference:

Using Meguiar's G17804 Keep Clear Headlight Coating

Using Meguiar's G2970 Two Step Headlight Restoration Kit

Meguiar's Headlight Restoration Products

Nick Winn

[ivanporcalla]

Re: Question about Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating

You can apply a wax over the headlight coating as maintenance if you like. The headlight coating is a synthetic protectant.

Also I have been using headlight protection film from xpel on my headlights and I have had no issues in years. Keeps the headlights protected. No issues with them cracking.

Hey Michael,

In relation to the question. What about applying ceramic headlight coating over Keep Clear? Is it safe?

Thank you in advance.

Ivan

[GaryODS]

Re: Question about Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating

I recently re-cleaned my headlights and applied Keep Clear coating. The passenger side came out very nice but the driver side wasn't good sort of blotchy. Instead of removing it this time I just used Plastx on it which made it very close to the clarity of the passenger side.

Is there a reason to not use Plastx on headlights treated with Keep Clear to sort of clean them up and extend the coating? Or an I shortening the life of the lens coating?

[The Guz]

Re: Question about Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating

Hey Michael,

In relation to the question. What about applying ceramic headlight coating over Keep Clear? Is it safe?

Thank you in advance.

Ivan

You would want a ceramic coating to be applied to the headlight and not over Keep Clear to get the maximum performance of the ceramic coating.

I recently re-cleaned my headlights and applied Keep Clear coating. The passenger side came out very nice but the driver side wasn't good sort of blotchy. Instead of removing it this time I just used Plastx on it which made it very close to the clarity of the passenger side.

Is there a reason to not use Plastx on headlights treated with Keep Clear to sort of clean them up and extend the coating? Or an I shortening the life of the lens coating?

Plastx is an abrasive polish.

[GaryODS]

Re: Question about Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating

Thanx for your prompt response. I need a little clarification, if say 6 months after cleaning with Plastx and coating my headlights with Keep Clear the headlights aren't as clear and bright as I like them, should I avoid using Plastx because it's abrasive? Is there another product to spiff them up instead of Plastx you recommend

[Nick Winn]

Re: Question about Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating

Thanx for your prompt response. I need a little clarification, if say 6 months after cleaning with Plastx and coating my headlights with Keep Clear the headlights aren't as clear and bright as I like them, should I avoid using Plastx because it's abrasive? Is there another product to spiff them up instead of Plastx you recommend

PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish is used on an as needed basis to remove light oxidation from headlights & increase clarity/gloss. You do not need to avoid using it, it is just not ideal to use on a light which has our Keep Clear Headlight Coating on it. If you have a light which has a coat of our Keep Clear Headlight Coating on it, & you want to apply another coat 6 months down the road, it would be OK to just re-apply another coat on a clean & dry, properly taped off light. If you want to use a mild polish like PlastX, it would be ideal to remove the Keep Clear Headlight Coating, either with multiple applications of PlastX or by using 91% isopropyl alcohol a few times.

[atikovi]

Re: Question about Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating

I recently re-cleaned my headlights and applied Keep Clear coating. The passenger side came out very nice but the driver side wasn't good sort of blotchy.

How did you clean them? If you polished them super smooth, you might have a problem. Clearcoats need a tooth to adhere to properly.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Question about Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating

How did you clean them? If you polished them super smooth, you might have a problem. Clearcoats need a tooth to adhere to properly.

This product is not a clear coat paint. It does not require a scuffed or sanded surface for proper adhesion.

[atikovi]

Re: Question about Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating

OK, I was going by what the 3M product I use says to do.

[nmwest99]

Re: Question about Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating

Thanx for your prompt response. I need a little clarification, if say 6 months after cleaning with Plastx and coating my headlights with Keep Clear the headlights aren't as clear and bright as I like them, should I avoid using Plastx because it's abrasive? Is there another product to spiff them up instead of Plastx you recommend

We also use Plastx when we restore our headlights for our customers. Its a great product and we will continue to use it.
Neal
Raleigh, NC