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Headlight Restoration


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#1
jonlsl

Posted 12 December 2015 - 11:32 PM

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Its been a long time since my last post.

I bought a pair of good condition used pair of headlights so that I have the time to play around with restoring my original lights which are yellowing after 10yrs.  I chose this method as I believe this is the best way of doing it which should last 3 to 5 years. If the lights are old like mine you can get back about 85 to 90% clarity as there will be slight hazing on the inside of the lens. Just like the bulbs will have a hazey layer on then when you remove them. The only way is to open up the lens which I do not want to do.

Method:

1. Wet sand with 300g, 600g and finish with 1000g.
2. Clean lens thoroughly and just before Sparying 2K Clear Coat clean lens with 100% IPA.
3. Spray 2K Clear Coat in thin coats with 4 coats in total & 20min dry time in between coats.
4. Allow 24hrs to cure. Then wet sand with 3000g to remove/minimize orange peel then finish with machine polish.

Note: weather has to be dry and not too humid or else it will affect clear coat.

 

Left light is original condition and right light is sanded ready for 2k Clear Coat

P_20151209_192058_1_zpsuzkzrhnn.jpg

 

Right side Clear Coat affected by weather

 

AddTextToPhoto12-12-2015%2011-11-6_zpsj0



#2
2420l

Posted 13 December 2015 - 07:22 PM

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nice job & interesting!!!! :)  :)



#3
vr2turbo

Posted 14 December 2015 - 03:41 PM

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Nice work. 2k clear coat in can form or your compressor with spray gun?



#4
jonlsl

Posted 14 December 2015 - 08:48 PM

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Went to the paint shop. Asked for 2K clear coat. They mix the clear and hardener and put it in a can for me at the back of the shop. They also can put any colour for me in a can.

Don't buy clear lacquer in a can which they normally sell. Those are not 2K unless specifically stated. Most 2K already have UV inhibitors mixed in. If not all the repainted cars will turn yellow.

#5
vr2turbo

Posted 15 December 2015 - 07:50 AM

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Oh! ok, heard of that before, because my friend did order a color paint can to touch up his car. How much did the can of 2k clear coat cost?



#6
2420l

Posted 15 December 2015 - 05:00 PM

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Went to the paint shop. Asked for 2K clear coat. They mix the clear and hardener and put it in a can for me at the back of the shop. They also can put any colour for me in a can.

Don't buy clear lacquer in a can which they normally sell. Those are not 2K unless specifically stated. Most 2K already have UV inhibitors mixed in. If not all the repainted cars will turn yellow.

that's interesting!!!



#7
mot88

Posted 16 January 2016 - 12:02 PM

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Certainly interesting on the clear coat method. Think it is better than the commercial available liquid headlight sealant. Care to share where is the paint shop that offered 2K clear coat paint put in can service?

#8
vr2turbo

Posted 17 January 2016 - 03:14 PM

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His (jonlsl) should be from Seremban.....



#9
mot88

Posted 17 January 2016 - 03:40 PM

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Thanks v2turbo for following this post. I did some google-ling yesterday. Found that one local paint company which I subsequently called them up. The coy name is  Aikka Paint (www.aikka.com.my) which provides such aerosol car headlamp coating. They mix the coating with hardener into aerosol spray 400ml which need to be used within 4 hours! They also sell the the coating and hardener separately in tin form for spray gun (using air compressor) use for about RM seventy something.

 

If you are doing only several cars together, then it is worth getting the aerosol spray (RM thirty something) for a bottle of 400ml but (reminder - 4 hours of usage time). Not too sure if this company is the same as Jonlsl mentioned but seemed like it as there is hardener mixed in it.

 

 

Alternatively, if you are more of a leisure DIY at your own pace , you can get the Meguair's Perfect Clarity G2000 at your Parkson IOI Putrajaya City Mall/ or other Parkson store but it is RM 195 (before promo discount, I think it is 20%) for 115ml . 115 ml could last you 3 pair of headlamps (6 headlamps) taking into account of 1 headlamp mistake as per Jonlsl mentioned, spray during humid day. For spray, one bound to make some mistakes in 1st or 2nd attempts. The kit has all the things you need, cleaner and sprayer and the scrub pad.

 

I have used the Meguair's G2000 kit and found that it is easy to use. If you want a 'perfect finish', one still need to use sandpaper.For consumer, this kit achieve 80-90% clarity. Best part, no machine needed, only your hand power.

 

p/s:Not working for Aikka or Meguair's. Sharing info on headlamp restoration. Useful for rainy days.



#10
vr2turbo

Posted 18 January 2016 - 12:14 AM

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The MG stuffs are too expensive. Even their car wash,  polishes etc have now gone up in price due to our weak ringgit.

I have done headlamp polish for my friends then they protect it themselves. I have another friend using spar urethane which also works. One tin also RM100 plus but can use for many headlamps, so he share the tin among friends.

As for the clear coat with hardener it has a life span because the hardener will harden the liquid in the can.

This is the link to my headlamp polishing.....

 

http://autoworld.com...-and-polishing/