Headlight protection film

[Hokiefyd]

The coating is a UV coating applied very thin at the factory (where the headlamps are assembled, not where the car was assembled). It'd be nearly impossible to get a good coating in the field (aka your garage). I do wish more options were available, though.

This is why once you clean/buff/abrade the lamps for the first time, you usually have to keep doing so forever: you actually abrade away this UV coating. There are some restoration kits with some type of glaze to apply, but it's very difficult to apply it evenly. Our Acura's lamps have been polished, and I usually hit them every 6-8 months, or whenever they need it. Our Honda's lamps have not been polished, and still look new.

I do park the Honda facing northeast at work. This has to be better than the alternative (southwest). The Acura pretty much stays in the garage during the day, except when my wife is out with it. But it lived much of its early life with my folks in the desert southwest.

 

[DBMaster]

I see plenty of options for UV resistant clear spray paints online. Maybe masking off the headlights, or removing them and using that would restore the protective coating?

 

[wing0]

Yah, once I started polishing the headlights.
It seems like I have to do it semi-annually now.

I've set a reminder for myself to put meguiar headlight protectant liquid on the headlights once a month. I hope this will prolong it from clouding.

My other option was to look for some type of clearcoat that adheres to the headlight that's also UV resistant. Afterwards, just polish.
I am not sure if the headlight heat would play a factor on how long this coat last.

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: Smokescreen
Your headlamps were designed to dissipate a certain amount of heat, when you put another layer, the heat retention will increase. It may not be much but enough to cause seals to become weaker over time, maybe the bulb will heat up the reflective finish too much and cause it to become dull and result in poor performance.

No car I have ever had has had UV damaged headlamps. I always park away from the sun or under something to keep the interior cool..side benefit the headlamps see less direct sunlight.


This implies that the only purpose of headlight films is to protect them from ultraviolet radiation. I was under the impression the biggest advantage is saving them from rock strikes and general sandblasting, which is certainly a major concern for a large portion of motorists.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Wingo-
This link U-POL Clear#1 is the UV resistant clear coat I got from Auto body supply. Maybe help add the coating back on. I can tell you that it's very high gloss clear.

After spray, do the film. Do your headlights resemble any of teh US versions from same years. Maybe not exact kit but close enough.

 

[wing0]

Originally Posted By: Sequoiasoon
Wingo-
This link U-POL Clear#1 is the UV resistant clear coat I got from Auto body supply. Maybe help add the coating back on. I can tell you that it's very high gloss clear.

After spray, do the film. Do your headlights resemble any of teh US versions from same years. Maybe not exact kit but close enough.


Thanks for the link to the UV clear.

No, this car was unique to Canada and Asia.
I tried searching high and low and yes, I did find some US sites have films for it, but none of them ship to Canada. I would either have to ship it to the border and pick it up.

However, I am a little reluctant in sanding down the headlight just to apply the clearcoat as it is already quite clear already from the polishing. So maybe just the film itself is enough.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

If they are already clear I wouldn't worry about sanding down either. I would recommend a good washing with DAWN dish washing detergent and/or some other wax grease remover. Once clean and dry mask off the area around good and spray them with the clear.

The films I think say UV stabilized to protect them from yellowing not sure how it does whats under it. The paint that seals it better i'd feel more comfortable with. Is there a supplier in CA that at least has the bulk film?

 

[DBMaster]

There's probably something to that statement about only hand-washing the car. I had a cheapie - 1993 Ford Escort - that we kept for nine years. I only hand washed it and the headlights on that car were fine after 140K miles.

I have no experience with Meguiar's headlight protectant, but since I like their other products, I am currently applying it to my Mazda headlights after each washing. I don't wash terribly often, maybe every month or so.

I think that even regular car wax is a good thing to apply periodically as it will protect, somewhat, from UV.

 

[The Critic]

I think the PPF or headlight-specific PPF options are the way to go. My headlights have been covered with XPEL ultimate film for the last two years and despite 64,000 miles+ of usage (and the headlights are on 95% of the time), they are still crystal clear.

 

[wmor51]

i use areospace 303 on mine once a month, has worked good for a year now

 

[wing0]

Originally Posted By: wmor51
i use areospace 303 on mine once a month, has worked good for a year now


You mean this?
http://www.303products.com/303r-aerospace-protectant.html

 

[Sequoiasoon]

HEADLIGHT COATING

WingO- another coating option for the UV.

Once UV'd the only thing to really protect them from future damage is the film. All of these coating are very thin, some water based. They will not hold up to the effects of 60mph+ sand/gravel etc.

 

[Tosh]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
The coating is a UV coating applied very thin at the factory (where the headlamps are assembled, not where the car was assembled). It'd be nearly impossible to get a good coating in the field (aka your garage). I do wish more options were available, though.

This is why once you clean/buff/abrade the lamps for the first time, you usually have to keep doing so forever: you actually abrade away this UV coating. ...


There's no additional "coating" applied to any of the headlights I've seen. Perhaps what you are alluding to is the 'skin' or 'shell' which forms naturally on the surface of anything that dries or solidifies, as in this case of plastic in a mold?

 

[NYSteve]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
I think the PPF or headlight-specific PPF options are the way to go. My headlights have been covered with XPEL ultimate film for the last two years and despite 64,000 miles+ of usage (and the headlights are on 95% of the time), they are still crystal clear.


Did you notice any glare or prism effect from the film? Looking to add these to my Toyota headlights but want to make sure it doesn't effect the halogen projector cutoffs.

Thanks!

 

[Sequoiasoon]

No prism effect issues that I can tell on my Halogen projector Sonata (now converted to HID). Also have it on all my foglights. One big benefit that I see is it actually prevents prism issues because the lenses don't get chipped. All the chips reflect light.

I work nights so mine are on at approximately 50% of the time I'm in the car. 110k and still crystal clear, unlike the ridiculous amount of chips in my paint and second windshield.