UV protection on wet sanded headlights
#1
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UV protection on wet sanded headlights
Hello everyone,
I just finished wet sanding the headlights on my 06 T-sex.
I've done this a million times before....but in previous cases, I've used UV protection clear coat. The disadvantages of that being that it's incredibly hard to apply to a smooth surface without getting runs and scale. The runs and scale can be wet sanded and polished also...as I've done before. But it seems like after a year or so, the clearcoat that I apply starts to yellow and haze a bit as well.
My car is not always parked in the garage. I live in the Chicago burbs. So it sees a mixed bag of weather, rocks, salt, wild animals, and a fair amount of sun.
I used:
600, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3M polish, Plastix. Pics below.
I just finished wet sanding the headlights on my 06 T-sex.
I've done this a million times before....but in previous cases, I've used UV protection clear coat. The disadvantages of that being that it's incredibly hard to apply to a smooth surface without getting runs and scale. The runs and scale can be wet sanded and polished also...as I've done before. But it seems like after a year or so, the clearcoat that I apply starts to yellow and haze a bit as well.
My car is not always parked in the garage. I live in the Chicago burbs. So it sees a mixed bag of weather, rocks, salt, wild animals, and a fair amount of sun.
I used:
600, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3M polish, Plastix. Pics below.
#2
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Re: UV protection on wet sanded headlights
Btw, before I get the typical "search n00b", "GTFO", and "DIAF" comments, I will say that all my searching has yielded limited and undecided results.
Lamin-x: apparently this does NOT provide protection?
To sum up....I'm looking for some sort of semi permanent or permanent solution to yellowing after wetsand/polishing plastic headlights on a car mainly parked outside.
Hollerrrrr.
Wax: provides protection but needs constant re application. Im looking for something permanent or semi permanent.
Clearcoats: temporary protection which then has to be removed when it also yellows.
Anyone have any other suggestions? Is Lamin-x not my ticket? I was hoping it was.
Lamin-x: apparently this does NOT provide protection?
To sum up....I'm looking for some sort of semi permanent or permanent solution to yellowing after wetsand/polishing plastic headlights on a car mainly parked outside.
Hollerrrrr.
Wax: provides protection but needs constant re application. Im looking for something permanent or semi permanent.
Clearcoats: temporary protection which then has to be removed when it also yellows.
Anyone have any other suggestions? Is Lamin-x not my ticket? I was hoping it was.
#5
Re: UV protection on wet sanded headlights
check out xpel headlight protection film kits. I've had a pair on my CTR headlights for roughly two years now or so, they still look brand new. No yellowing, cracks, scuffs, etc.
#6
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Re: UV protection on wet sanded headlights
I bought this for my g35 but havnt used it yet.
Optimum Opti-lens.
I used clear bra in the past made for headlights and it actually started cracking the headlights after 6 months. The heat in conjunction with those films actually causes the headlights to crack like spiderwebs over time.....i didn't realize that could even happen when I wrapped $800 headlights at the time...2nd time around now and im going to try the sealant/uv protection.
Im hoping to have some spare time this weekend to get it done. But do NOT use that clear bra crap. It looked great for a few months then my headlights were basically trashed.
Optimum Opti-lens.
I used clear bra in the past made for headlights and it actually started cracking the headlights after 6 months. The heat in conjunction with those films actually causes the headlights to crack like spiderwebs over time.....i didn't realize that could even happen when I wrapped $800 headlights at the time...2nd time around now and im going to try the sealant/uv protection.
Im hoping to have some spare time this weekend to get it done. But do NOT use that clear bra crap. It looked great for a few months then my headlights were basically trashed.
#7
Re: UV protection on wet sanded headlights
I haven't used it yet, but I have heard many good things about it.
you can't really go wrong with Optimum products anyways. lol
For me, I just wax my headlights. I wax it so often that I don't really worry about them.
you can't really go wrong with Optimum products anyways. lol
For me, I just wax my headlights. I wax it so often that I don't really worry about them.
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Re: UV protection on wet sanded headlights
I bought this for my g35 but havnt used it yet.
Optimum Opti-lens.
I used clear bra in the past made for headlights and it actually started cracking the headlights after 6 months. The heat in conjunction with those films actually causes the headlights to crack like spiderwebs over time.....i didn't realize that could even happen when I wrapped $800 headlights at the time...2nd time around now and im going to try the sealant/uv protection.
Im hoping to have some spare time this weekend to get it done. But do NOT use that clear bra crap. It looked great for a few months then my headlights were basically trashed.
Optimum Opti-lens.
I used clear bra in the past made for headlights and it actually started cracking the headlights after 6 months. The heat in conjunction with those films actually causes the headlights to crack like spiderwebs over time.....i didn't realize that could even happen when I wrapped $800 headlights at the time...2nd time around now and im going to try the sealant/uv protection.
Im hoping to have some spare time this weekend to get it done. But do NOT use that clear bra crap. It looked great for a few months then my headlights were basically trashed.
Thanks for the heads up either way.
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Re: UV protection on wet sanded headlights
Thanks again for all the help, guys.
#10
Re: UV protection on wet sanded headlights
About that, if not less.. The thing I can't really tell is how long the wax will last on the lights.
#11
Re: UV protection on wet sanded headlights
Did you have to sand your headlights at some point? The headlights have a stock UV protectant on them. My issue is that I sanded it off.
Yeah, I've heard of that happening too. My headlights are fairly large....they're projectors, and they're HID. So the lenses don't really get all that hot, I wouldn't think.
Thanks for the heads up either way.
Yeah, I've heard of that happening too. My headlights are fairly large....they're projectors, and they're HID. So the lenses don't really get all that hot, I wouldn't think.
Thanks for the heads up either way.
Edit: pics for reference
2 years ago
This month:
Not trying to say don't wax or do what I did because it is the greatest thing, just providing info you may find helpful
Last edited by ej6fade; 05-14-2014 at 11:00 PM.
#13
Re: UV protection on wet sanded headlights
Hey everyone,
Is film the only solution for that? I've heard about wax so I was thinking of doing that. Do you think it's a good idea and if so can you give me some advices about which brand should I use?
Thanks
Is film the only solution for that? I've heard about wax so I was thinking of doing that. Do you think it's a good idea and if so can you give me some advices about which brand should I use?
Thanks
#15
Re: UV protection on wet sanded headlights
Hello again,
I talked in a friend of mine to do his headlights too so we did on both cars. The difference is that in his kit there was a black tube which was Protectant. Used it and so far everything is great. Will write back if something comes up.
Thanks!
I talked in a friend of mine to do his headlights too so we did on both cars. The difference is that in his kit there was a black tube which was Protectant. Used it and so far everything is great. Will write back if something comes up.
Thanks!
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