Any product really protect headlights?

B

bcwang

New member
I read lots of posts on here about repairing hazed headlights. However, most of the time I also read the haze coming back rather quickly since the original UV protective coating is now gone.



I've tried on headlights a few products but judging only by beading, they don't last very long, maybe 1 month. Whether they offer UV protection to prevent degradation is also unknown to me.



-Plexus

-UPGP

-Meguiars PlastX

-Mothers Plastic Polish

-Mothers Reflections





Are there products that can keep headlights looking new for many years applying only as frequently as waxing? (2-6 month intervals) Especially on those headlights that are polished clear again leaving no self protection. If anyone has used something that has kept their headlight perfectly clear for say over 10 years, please say so. I'm thinking with all the technology out there today, some product must protect and last on polycarbonate as well as the stuff we have for paint.



Some other things I haven't tried but wonder if they would do much better, maybe if you've tried it you can comment about how well they work.



-Ultima Tire and Trim Guard

-Wolfgang Plastik sealant

-Diamondite Plastic Liquid Armor
 
I use a regular sealent on my headlights and it works fine. One thing that you need to understand is that the sealents used for paint in many cases will work for the light lenses as well (two-three months depending upon the product). The clear coat on the paint is platic as well as the headlight lenses.



Plastic polishes are just that, polishes. They clean up the plastic and make it look good, but do nothing to seal them.



The last three products that you mentioned would work for what you want, but are more than likely just a form of paint sealent that is "specially marketed" for plastic.



As far as lasting years, like paint, consistent application of a sealent product is key.
 
Nothing that comes out of a can will last for years on a headlight lens. The factory uv protection hardly lasts for years.
 
Heatgain said:
Nothing that comes out of a can will last for years on a headlight lens. The factory uv protection hardly lasts for years.
Click to expand...



I don't mean the product has to last for years, but I mean with application every 2-6 months it can protect the headlight for years without letting it haze or yellow. Both for brand new headlights and re-polished headlights (no more uv film).



I've had not long lasting results with any of the products I've tried. I think I'll re-polish the lights and make a more consistent application of the products to see if it keeps it from fading. I usually let it for for a few months and that is too long of a period it seems.
 
Ah!

My suggestion - every time you wash, wash the lenses also, and every time you wax/seal the paint, seal the lenses also. Theoretically, they should never haze again.

When I wash and maybe use AW or OCW on the car, I throw some on the lenses also.

Certainly if I'm using sealant or wax for the paint, I do the lenses too.
 
I'm surprised Rejex hasn't been mentioned? I'm not sure if it would work, but it would nice experiment. I would think that it might fairly well...especially if you were able to apply 2-3 layers.



Just my dos pesos.
 
Last time I repaired some headlights I had a body friend hit them with some urethane automotive clear coat. Buffed them real quick with some ZPC, and gave them back to the owner. I was only charged 30 bucks for him to spray them, and they haven't yellowed again and it's been a couple years.
 
IMO, how long your lens will be clear has much to do with where you live. I Lived in Pittsburgh for 10 years and recently moved back north into NY -only a few hundred miles difference - BUT - my BMW's headlights compared to NY (identical years & make) HUGE difference. Much more yellowing, (not to mention the rust on NY cars...eeesh)



Anyhoo- I recently bought a BMW up here in NY and sure enough, it was faded -not terrible, but enough to notice. Ended up using NOVUS, a 3 step (3 liquids) product that is used on small plane's windsheilds, boats, etc etc





-I'm newer in the world of detailing so someone may have a better suggestion,



novuspolish
 
IMO, how long your lens will be clear has much to do with where you live. I Lived in Pittsburgh for 10 years and recently moved back north into NY -only a few hundred miles difference - BUT - my BMW's headlights compared to NY (identical years & make) HUGE difference. Much more yellowing, (not to mention the rust on NY cars...eeesh)



Anyhoo- I recently bought a BMW up here in NY and sure enough, it was faded -not terrible, but enough to notice. Ended up using NOVUS, a 3 step (3 liquids) product that is used on small plane's windsheilds, boats, etc etc





-I'm newer in the world of detailing so someone may have a better suggestion,



novuspolish
 
I just polish the lenses about once a month and protect it with Z-CS or Plexus. When I wax, I just go over the headlights with whatever I'm using. That usually gives it a fair amount of protection. I haven't really found anything that will protect it for ten years unless you want to count vinyl headlight covers.
 
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