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Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test
Hi all. I restored the headlights on a recently-acquired 2007 328i. They were bad. I used the 3M restoration kit to decent effect:
https://www.autopia.org/forums/attac...id=37010&stc=1
I masked (30 minutes) then sprayed (< 1 minute) the Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating per instructions. Results were mixed. One light came out fine, the other was unacceptable. It was cloudy and irregular. The next day I lightly sanded it with 3000 grit wet, then polished with a blue pad and Menz 3800. This fixed the cloudiness and high spots. I re-applied the coating and it worked fine this time.
https://www.autopia.org/forums/attac...id=37011&stc=1
https://www.autopia.org/forums/attac...id=37012&stc=1
There`s a slight yellow tint to these cell-phone images. Disregard that. The coating did NOT yellow the lenses. You can, however, "tell it`s there". it`s no big deal on this car, but it`s not something I`d use on an expensive or prized show car. Instead, I would just apply a good sealant once a month. However, this is supposed to last a year ------ > we`ll see!
Re: Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test
I`ll get some better pictures up that should not have the yellow tint.
Re: Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test
Be interested to see how it looks in a year. Accumulator`s pronouncements about OCW aside, I have never had anything last for more than 6 months on cars where I`ve had to sand the factory coating off, even cars that aren`t outside all the time.
I did notice the factory coating starting to fail at the top of one headlight that I thought was holding up ok, I used Opti-Lens on that; we`ll see if that retards the failure. Opti-Lens sure doesn`t last for me on cars where the factory coating has been removed, even with multiple coats.
Refresh my memory, is this Meg`s product more of a "paint"? The metal can looks pretty serious.
Re: Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test
Setec, it’s not a paint. More of a coating. I think they aerosolize it to have it apply evenly. I would have preferred more of a traditional coating experience with a suede applicator, etc, but this is a consumer product, and they can’t assume we know how to apply coatings.
By the way, I forgot to mention, it’s less than $8. A bargain if it works. You can do 3 cars with it easy.
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Re: Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test
Here`s a clear photo of the restored and coated lens, after two days of curing. I`ll update later in the year. If you`re reading this by late summer 2020 and I haven`t updated it, please send me a message. I`m very likely to forget.
https://www.autopia.org/forums/attac...id=37016&stc=1
Re: Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test
Geez, it looks great! We will all be watching for your future reports on longevity.
Re: Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test
Thanks for posting this.
Back in November 2019, I did one light with a Megs kit, and the other light with the Sonax kit. Without question, I prefrred the Sonax experience.
Short version: It`s more user-friendly (or, kind of Accumulator-proof) and the results were better.
I`ll take pics when I go move my car in about half an hour. Just over 3 months, and I think I see a slight difference, for the worse, on the Megs side.
Re: Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JustJesus
Thanks for posting this.
Back in November 2019, I did one light with a Megs kit ...
It`d be great to see your comparison! For accuracy`s sake, please note that I did not use the Meg`s "kit". I used the 3M kit, combined with some extra finessing on my part, then the Meg`s coating spray, which is available by itself.
Re: Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test
Re: Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test
I got about six months out of the Megs headlight spray when I tried it out a couple years ago.
I did notice it appears to have dried pretty smooth and transparent. One thing which drove me nuts the couple times I tried it was the product becoming a orange-peel like when it dried. For me, when it was first sprayed on everything was great. However, as the product dried it took on a textured appearance. I had this happen twice, so I moved on to a different product.
Re: Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Desertnate
I got about six months out of the Megs headlight spray when I tried it out a couple years ago.
[...] One thing which drove me nuts the couple times I tried it was the product becoming a orange-peel like when it dried. ....
Yes I have a bit of that on the right lens. The left lens, pictured above, is nice but took two attempts with sanding between coats. But then it came out great.
When I do this again, I’m going to wait much longer between coats than the suggested 3 to 5 minutes.
Re: Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test
I meant to mention this before...I see you`re all ready for the SoCal winter with those knobby snow tires....what`s that about?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JustJesus
Re: Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test
I didn`t notice that! Too funny. Prepping for a season of SCCA Rally Cross?
Re: Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test
Skiing at Big Bear Mtn. and Mammoth Mtn!
Re: Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Setec Astronomy
I meant to mention this before...I see you`re all ready for the SoCal winter with those knobby snow tires....what`s that about?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Desertnate
I didn`t notice that! Too funny. Prepping for a season of SCCA Rally Cross?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
tom p.
Skiing at Big Bear Mtn. and Mammoth Mtn!
SoCal winter is essentially rain. At least in my neck of the woods, in Los Angeles area (South Gate area).
The tires are the prior version BFGs All Terrains, actually. Some years back I decided to embark on a funny/crazy transformation of the Little Yaris that Could. This car has done: daily driving, autoX, and short track (go-kart track!) racing. Even used it to transport car parts and once, a futon bed and frame. Yup. Crazy.
I wanted to lift it a little, and hit some dirt trails with it. And I did hit some trails, sans lift.
After some testing (videos can be found at Off Road Yaris) I realized I *needed* a limited slip diff. Figured that I`d get a steeper gear ratio while I was at it. Plus, a concoction of mixed parts to get a small lift.
In the end, I decided all that stuff would be too expensive, and used the money and bought a stock Jeep Cherokee Sport.
Crazy idea....off road yaris.