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Clearcoat on headlights?

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Old 06-29-2007, 11:15 AM
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Default Clearcoat on headlights?

My headlights on my teg were yellowing so I sanded them down (800->1500->2500). Now I'm wondering if I should sand them with a higher grit one last time (maybe 3500?) and then either buff or spray them with clearcoat out of a spray can, or both? Will clearcoat out of a spray can hold up over time from chipping and yellowing or should I just sand them with a finer grit and buff them? Anybody here have (longterm) experience with clearcoat on headlights? TIA
Old 06-29-2007, 11:18 AM
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Default Re: Clearcoat on headlights? (Hatch_R)

whut about plastic polish?
Old 06-29-2007, 11:30 AM
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clear coat would be a great idea...!
Old 06-29-2007, 12:02 PM
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Default Re: (Genuine Rolla)

dont spray can clear coat on it...they suck. usually come out pretty hazy and etc and fades/ turns yellow pretty quick. just wet sand it to about 2000 grit and buff it
Old 06-29-2007, 12:13 PM
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Default Re: Clearcoat on headlights? (nathanong87)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nathanong87 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">whut about plastic polish?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Old 06-29-2007, 12:29 PM
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Default Re: Clearcoat on headlights? (MasterShake)

You have to buff them with rubbing compound then u can either put a good coat of wax on or clear them...
Old 06-29-2007, 12:38 PM
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Default Re: Clearcoat on headlights? (Hatch_R)

putting clear coat will have down side at night driving.

Old 06-29-2007, 12:41 PM
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Default Re: Clearcoat on headlights? (Kangpreza)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kangpreza &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">putting clear coat will have down side at night driving.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not true, considering all the plastic headlight have clear on them from the factory.....
Old 06-29-2007, 05:11 PM
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Yea I'm pretty sure they do have clearcoat on them from the factory, I'm just wondering if spray can clearcoat will do fine (or maybe actual real clearcoat from a spray gun?). I already sanded up to 2500 grit, I wanna try 3500 too. The thing is that I want it to be *crystal* clear without having to wax it every couple of weeks or whatever. I basically want it permanently crystal clear, I don't want my headlights to require "maintenance" to stay clear.
Old 06-29-2007, 05:14 PM
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Default Re: (Hatch_R)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hatch_R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I basically want it permanently crystal clear, I don't want my headlights to require "maintenance" to stay clear.</TD></TR></TABLE>

then buy a new headlight
Old 06-29-2007, 05:23 PM
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Default Re: (Kafelatte)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hatch_R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I basically want it permanently crystal clear, I don't want my headlights to require "maintenance" to stay clear.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's times like this when I &lt;3 my OEM Glass headlights. Hooray 1993.

Your lights either look good with some work, or yellow with neglect. Choose one. Even clear coating them won't last forever because as people mentioned the stock lights ARE clear coated and what happens over time? Yellowing.
Old 06-29-2007, 05:53 PM
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Old 06-29-2007, 06:13 PM
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Default Re: Clearcoat on headlights? (Kangpreza)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kangpreza &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">putting clear coat will have down side at night driving.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

hmm.. idk bout that.
Old 06-29-2007, 07:22 PM
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Default Re: Clearcoat on headlights? (Hatch_R)

no clear coat on headlights suck **** start chippin away nd makes the headlight look fucked up. some geniuse that owned the car before me did that nd now i need to get new headlights couse the old ones look like ****
Old 06-29-2007, 07:42 PM
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I had a headlight on my old car that just wouldn't stay clear, i still don't know why. Anyway, i clear coated it and the light yellowed again, the clear started looking bad as well after a few months. This was spray duplicolor. It looked great at first. I wouldn't recommend it. Polish and if it comes back, just buy a new headlamp.
Old 06-29-2007, 07:46 PM
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Default Re: Clearcoat on headlights? (S2SLOW)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by S2SLOW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You have to buff them with rubbing compound then u can either put a good coat of wax on or clear them...</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have sprayed clear coat on a pair of headlights from a friend of mine before, looked nice, no fading, no problems at night.
You should try that.....
Old 06-29-2007, 07:49 PM
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I use Blue Magic metal polish and then black magic liquid wax...looks freaking mint.
Old 06-29-2007, 07:51 PM
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Default Re: (talontsiawd)

OKAY i was in the same situation and so i finally had my headlamps cleared by a professional bodyshop with good quality clear.
holding up fine after a year.

OEM clear on the lamps is really thin thats why once the clear is gone, the plastic starts to yellow.

If you want to DIY ive found that the "clearest", shiny-est clear out of a can is the VHT stuff. only thing it requires you bake it after so it sets correctly. just pop the lamps in the oven after and you should be all good.
Old 06-29-2007, 07:52 PM
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Default Re: (Genuine Rolla)

even if you cleared them they would still yellow. unless you use a uv protectant clear if they even make one.
Old 06-29-2007, 07:55 PM
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Default Re: (slammed00si)

u should use automotive grade clear coat. the kine they use in those clear coat guns etc. not the rattle can. it will last longer if you do it that way instead of trying to polish them out every 3 motnhs.
Old 06-29-2007, 08:02 PM
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My friend has had all his lenses cleared a year ago and they still look brand new to this day... I'm definitely doing it to mine.

Old 07-01-2007, 09:50 PM
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BTW, what's up with that "I'm too sexy for this box" thing?
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