Headlight restoration with Opti-lens coating

Starting to see some haziness/oxidation on my 2011 Tacoma. I wanted to use this as opportunity to try out Optimium Opti-lens coating.




Typically I see this process done with wet sanding. I decided to gamble and use 0000 steel wool followed up by Adam's Correcting polish and Finishing polish. Note* I only used steel wool due to not having sandpaper on hand* Clarity is much improved.



I used Optimum's paint prep to clean headlights before applying Opti-Lens. Below pic is Opti-Lens starting to flash. It is easy to apply. Let set 3-5 minutes than remove. I put on 2 coats with 5 minute intervals.


Drivers side restored and a nasty before shot of passenger.


Will see how Opti-Lens holds up since its listed as a permanent coating. Plan on applying to 2016 4Runner to help slow down the oxidation process.

 

Been wanting to get some but its expensive

Where did you get it and how many headlights do you think you will get out of that little syringe?

I also see that meguiars has some kind of spray that sells for $11

I've been using the auto UV clear coat spray....Works good but hard to spray and keep a clean wet edge

 

Note these solutions are not permanet coatings. By sanding the lens you remove the UV stabilizer coating and the lens is then significantly more prone to UV degradation. To prevent this you must apply a UV stabilizer. (UV is what causes lens fogging). Meguiars makes some headlight UV stabilizer products, you will need to reapply these regularly, such as 2x a year when you wax your vehicle.

 

3m makes a good kit, maybe 30 bucks at oreilly's

 

I bought this from Autogeek. I would wait till they run a 15 or 20% off. I applied 2 coats and barely used any. Only talking a few drops per headlight. I shouldn't have any issue finishing up our other 2 vehicles and should have plenty leftover.

Incorrect. Optimum markets this as a permanent coating that "will retain perfect clarity in any environment forever". Now do I expect it to last forever? Not sure at the moment, but I do realize coatings are superior to anything Megs or 3M has put out.

 

lol Autogeek....

My last order was $500

I actually thought the 20% off yearly sale was going to expire....

I wonder if I can spray the auto clearcoat into a cup and apply it by hand to coat it so I don't get "Flat Overspray" spots...

I was going to color sand and buff but I don't know how many coats I need on it for it to be thick enough...

If anyone here in Orange County Ca wants to go 1/2 on a kit let me know....

 

I have used the 3M kit on several vehicles.
Fair results.
From my experience, you have to keep them detailed often, or they will resort back to original condition before long.

 

The problem with the 3m and other kits is that it doesn't come with a coating to protect the headlights. No coating and you will be back to yellow before you know it.

 

Has anyone actually used the "as seen on TV" WIPE NEW for headlights?
I know it is just a temporary "detailing" fix.... but was curious anyone's experience with it.

 

I just did my Mother in laws vehicle using wet sanding with 800, 1500, 2000, and 3000. Then I compounded and polished the headlights. I wiped everything with a odorless mineral spirits. Now the surface was ready for UV coating. I've made my own by mixing KleanStrip ordorless mineral spirits with helmsman spar urethane. (1 to 1 ratio). I'm going to put another coat in a week to let the first coat cure. I wanted to try something new that hopefully will keep the fading and yellowing from coming back. I will reply to this in a year.

 

How did you apply it? Just brush it on? Spray?

 

made the mixture in a little cup. Then took a auto cloth folded it into about a 2"x2" square. Then pored some of the mixture to the edge, making sure that the edge was completely wet. Then i wiped it from left to right top to bottom.Making sure i overlapped each path about 50%. Once you wipe it on, you have to let it go and not go over it again because this stuff dries really quick and it will pull. If i were to mess up, i can just wipe the lens dry again with the mineral spirits and start over.

 

Ace— How is the Opti holding up?

 

I am noticing some haze on them. Could be a dirty truck cause I haven’t washed in a while. Going to try and take a look over the next day or two. Maybe it’s an application issue.

 

Two years ago my headlights were very oxidized. I used Meguiers heavy duty restoration kit. About $21 at Walmart. Enough in the kit to do several vehicles. The lights came out looking like new. Since then I apply Meguiers protectant about every 6 weeks or so. You don’t have to apply it that often but it’s easy and quick so why not. Only takes about 1 minute per headlight to apply. The headlights continue to be clear and look like new. Easy peasy, I’m quite happy with the results.
Should your headlights become mildly oxidized use Meguiers Plastx. Rub it on and wipe it off. Headlights like new.

 

Which protectant was in your kit? Aerosol?

 

I use the stuff that came with the kit. It’s called Meguiars Headlight Protectant. It comes in a squeeze bottle. Rub it on , wipe it off. Just bought a new bottle which will last a couple years.

 

Huh, interesting. I thought they quit making the old headlight protectant that was a lotion-like consistency and replaced it with the aerosol that comes in the kits.

 

You may be right. I went to 2 automotive stores and couldn’t find it. I did find it on Amazon.com

 

Quick update. As noted before I had some hazing on the upper portion of each headlight. Using Shine Supply Classic Cut and a TRC eagle edgeless towel, I easily removed the haze. Use Optimum prep to remove residue and re-applied the coating.

Not sure what caused the haze. Took no effort to remove with little pressure. I am wondering if another product caused the issue. Will report back in a few months.