Sealing Restored Headlights
Sealing Restored Headlights
Author
Discussion

Bobton125

Original Poster:

306 posts

90 months

Sunday 10th May 2020
quotequote all
I've restored my fogged up headlights using the Autoglym restoration kit and it's done quite a good job.
To keep them looking this way, i want to seal them.

I have the below Meguiars headlight restoration kit where it includes a scotch pad to key up the surface and then a spray can sealant.

https://www.meguiars.co.uk/shop/two-step-headlight...

what's the best way to seal them, can i spray this sealant straight onto them or do i still need to key the shiny new surface for the sealant to adhere?

Bit hesitant to use the scotch pads included as when i last did on these headlights i could still faintly see the scratch marks even after coating them. (Which is why i rubbed them down and started again with the autoglym kit)





Edited by Bobton125 on Sunday 10th May 21:33


Edited by Bobton125 on Sunday 10th May 21:34

Dr Nookie

243 posts

221 months

Monday 11th May 2020
quotequote all
Bobton125 said:
I've restored my fogged up headlights using the Autoglym restoration kit and it's done quite a good job.
To keep them looking this way, i want to seal them.

I have the below Meguiars headlight restoration kit where it includes a scotch pad to key up the surface and then a spray can sealant.

https://www.meguiars.co.uk/shop/two-step-headlight...

what's the best way to seal them, can i spray this sealant straight onto them or do i still need to key the shiny new surface for the sealant to adhere?

Bit hesitant to use the scotch pads included as when i last did on these headlights i could still faintly see the scratch marks even after coating them. (Which is why i rubbed them down and started again with the autoglym kit)





I can't help answer your question but damn, that's a hell of an improvement...

Edited by Bobton125 on Sunday 10th May 21:33


Edited by Bobton125 on Sunday 10th May 21:34

Bobton125

Original Poster:

306 posts

90 months

Tuesday 12th May 2020
quotequote all
thanks!

Yeah i'm very pleased with how the autoglym kit turned out

Just want to seal them to keep them this way!

Podie

46,647 posts

296 months

Tuesday 12th May 2020
quotequote all
Bobton125 said:
thanks!

Yeah i'm very pleased with how the autoglym kit turned out

Just want to seal them to keep them this way!
I've used Autobrite Direct "Abyss" to seal headlights in the past and had no issues - https://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/product/hellshin...

Also on Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autobrite-Direct-Shine-Se...

Just need a sealant that can be used on plastic.

Buzz84

1,413 posts

170 months

Tuesday 12th May 2020
quotequote all
I have some cloudy lights on an X5 that I looked into restoring.

The guides I read suggested that as standard plastic lenses have a protective anti UV surface coating and restoring using them removes this coating. Therfore you need something UV protective to record them or they can turn cloudy again fairly quickly.

I never really looked a product that could do this as I never went trough the restoration, as my lights are crazed opposed to just the surface being foggy so these kits wouldn't have worked for me.

darreni

4,310 posts

291 months

Tuesday 12th May 2020
quotequote all
Agreed, thats a hell of a job!

Summit_Detailing

2,326 posts

214 months

Tuesday 12th May 2020
quotequote all
Excellent results there...any form of quartz based coating will do the job just fine - Gtechniq C1, Carpro Cquartz or Gyeon Q2 Pure.

Cheers,

Chris

bolidemichael

17,218 posts

222 months

Friday 15th May 2020
quotequote all
You need some spray lacquer which will endure.

Here's a video of when I had mine professionally done.

Bobton125

Original Poster:

306 posts

90 months

Sunday 17th May 2020
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies

So I tried the meguiars headlight coating..
I don’t rate this product, the finish was clear but wavy like looking through an opaque window. So I removed it all and applied a Ceramic coating. Currently waiting to cure, I’ll update with the results

markyb_lcy

9,904 posts

83 months

Sunday 17th May 2020
quotequote all
That’s a wicked job you’ve done!

My headlights on my mk3 MR2 need doing (again) soon. Unfortunately one of them has clouded on the inside and a common way to get them open is to bake the unit rofl

That’s going to be fun. I had not even got as far as working out how to reseal the unit itself, or adding a UV resistant coating.

I’ve used the meguirs kit on them in the past and it was pretty good on the other headlight which doesn’t have the clouding on the inside.

Cpt Stirling

315 posts

222 months

Sunday 17th May 2020
quotequote all
Agreed, very good job you've done there. I have the same dilemma, fond this so will give it a go
https://e-tech.uk.com/e-tech-restored-headlight-cl...

Bobton125

Original Poster:

306 posts

90 months

Sunday 17th May 2020
quotequote all
Cpt Stirling said:
Agreed, very good job you've done there. I have the same dilemma, fond this so will give it a go
https://e-tech.uk.com/e-tech-restored-headlight-cl...
Wish I found that before

Let me know if it’s any good

Bobton125

Original Poster:

306 posts

90 months

Sunday 17th May 2020
quotequote all
markyb_lcy said:
That’s a wicked job you’ve done!

My headlights on my mk3 MR2 need doing (again) soon. Unfortunately one of them has clouded on the inside and a common way to get them open is to bake the unit rofl

That’s going to be fun. I had not even got as far as working out how to reseal the unit itself, or adding a UV resistant coating.

I’ve used the meguirs kit on them in the past and it was pretty good on the other headlight which doesn’t have the clouding on the inside.
I once split a set of headlights open to tint the insides. Also put it in the oven to soften the adhesive.
Top tip! make sure it’s been in the oven long enough as I had shattered one of my lenses while prizing it open as the glue wasn’t melted enough

I sealed them again after with tiger seal and never had a problem for a couple years until I sold the car.