let's talk about PREVENTING headlight yellowing/fading

L

LJZTT

New member
So far all I can find on the subject is the Xpel headlight film. Is this actually a 3M product, not that it matters but I found it surprising that there doesnt appear to be a 3M product marketed for this given their line of windows films.

So, what exactly causes headlight yellowing/fading and therefore how can i prevent it? I have a 2010 Honda Insight as my wife's DD and I would like to keep it looking as new and cared for as possible. Is Xpel the answer? Or are there other/better options?
 
It's oxidation of the protective coating that is used on the head lamps. The optimum headlight coating will work once the oxidation is removed. Once the factory coating oxidizes it's done. It needs to be removed. 3M makes a good kit. Basically it involves wet sanding, polishing and sealing. The only way to get rid of the oxidation is by abrasives (wet sanding and polishes). Be prepared to make sealing your headlights a part of your car care. When you wash and wax. Seal the headlights. You can use the optimum or Meg's Plastix.
 
Okay, so the culprit is UV rays. This was what I suspected.

With 3M films blocking 99.9% of UV radiation, why polish/seal periodically if a one time protective film is on the market? Or does Xpel not have this level of UV-rejection?
 
Rsurfer said:
Opti Lens has more UV protectant than OC and is made to protect plastic thus you can also use it to protect plastic trim.
Click to expand...

Exactly, Opti-Lens uses an acrylic resin designed to replenish the UV protection, vs. Opti-Coat which simply augments (compliments) the greater UV resistance of paint.
 
Rsurfer said:
Opti Lens has more UV protectant than OC and is made to protect plastic thus you can also use it to protect plastic trim.
Click to expand...

Exactly, Opti-Lens uses an acrylic resin designed to replenish the UV protection, vs. Opti-Coat which simply augments (compliments) the greater UV resistance of paint.
 
Personally, I buff out and seal my headlight lenses every time I "wax" the car, so far in my last two cars (106,000 miles and 137,000 miles) I haven't had ANY oxidation/clouding issues.
 
Don said:
Personally, I buff out and seal my headlight lenses every time I "wax" the car, so far in my last two cars (106,000 miles and 137,000 miles) I haven't had ANY oxidation/clouding issues.
Click to expand...

The subject is preventing this from happening. If you use Opti Lens you would never have to buff out your lens or seal them again.
 
Back before the days of Opti-Lens, Opti-Coat was recommended on headlights - thus when I Opti-Coated my car, the headlights got a coat too. :wall
 
Rsurfer said:
The subject is preventing this from happening. If you use Opti Lens you would never have to buff out your lens or seal them again.
Click to expand...

I do this from the time the car is new, so I guess you could call it preventing.
 
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