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Spray on Headlight protection?

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by braik, Jul 18, 2014.

  1. Jul 18, 2014 at 6:26 AM
    #1
    braik

    braik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?53517-Great-way-to-protect-your-headlights-(possibly)

    This guy has a bright idea. I don't suppose anyone would like to chime in as to its effectiveness would they? Near the end he says his fogs have gone 9mos without any negative effects.

    I'd much rather buy a $25 can of this stuff and reapply every year than use the film that is such a PITA to put on. Plus this may actually help some lenses that have been used for awhile and seem all scratched up.

    SEE POST #10 FOR UPDATE
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2014
  2. Jul 21, 2014 at 7:09 AM
    #2
    braik

    braik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Come on guys. Someone has to have an opinion about this one way or the other.
     
  3. Jul 21, 2014 at 7:15 AM
    #3
    NCtaco914

    NCtaco914 MALLIN'CRAWLIN'

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    I've seen plasti dip done before..Never this yet. In theory I dont see why it wouldnt work fine? If the clarity is good enough and it doesnt scatter the light output then I say go for it and let us know the outcome
     
  4. Jul 21, 2014 at 7:23 AM
    #4
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

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  5. Jul 21, 2014 at 7:45 AM
    #5
    NCtaco914

    NCtaco914 MALLIN'CRAWLIN'

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    ^ Interesting find...
     
  6. Jul 21, 2014 at 7:58 AM
    #6
    braik

    braik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I like that. But it isn't really the same category as the spray I posted. The 3M stuff is supposed to stop scratches and chips as well as fill in those scratches.

    So it seems the best method would be to sand/refinish/urethane, and THEN spray on the film to keep them clear and smooth.
     
  7. Sep 10, 2014 at 9:02 AM
    #7
    braik

    braik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Right. So I'm going to experiment a little on some hazy lenses I have sitting around. I'll post in here with results, unless no one is watching, in which case I'll start another thread. Here's the start.

    This is about 20sec after giving it a 3rd coat. The orange peel look is supposed to go away after a day or so.
    6f9d9ec25045d10835b0d5283fbe5030_f2255891c607ae27ee9082688ce70e2652f70e4d.jpg
     
  8. Sep 10, 2014 at 9:04 AM
    #8
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

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    :spy: :pccoffee: man this is like watching paint dry. Lol
     
  9. Sep 10, 2014 at 9:10 AM
    #9
    braik

    braik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Good news is I started a couple days ago, just got around to posting. So I'll put up the "after" pictures in a few hours when I get home. ;)

    Basically if it dries clear, covers up some scratches or hazing, and comes off clean I'm going to call it a win. It would be much easier to spray this stuff on and wait a day rather than sand, polish, and coat. Plus it had the added benefit of soaking up scratches instead of the actual lens.
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2014
  10. Sep 14, 2014 at 12:20 PM
    #10
    braik

    braik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Alright. Update time. I waxed a different one and let it dry, then removed the film. This way it was a much more thorough test.

    Here they are side by side. The one on the right actually has the product applied
    IMG_20140912_174317461.jpg

    Here's the small scratches on the lens about to have the product applied.
    IMG_20140912_181435941.jpg

    And the oxidation that happens to everyone who lives in a somewhat sunny place
    IMG_20140912_181608221.jpg

    VOILA! No more small scratches! (don't mind that rip in the top left, I picked at it before it was completely dry)
    IMG_20140914_140943322.jpg

    And the oxidation is hidden too!
    IMG_20140914_141012558.jpg

    It peels off after some coaxing, but the oxidated portions of the headlight adhere a little better and leave this behind when you take it off. The rest of the lens is clear, and I'd bet my next paycheck those streaks would disappear if you reapplied the film.
    IMG_20140912_180623361.jpg

    Here the small scratches are back after I took off the film.
    IMG_20140914_142839147.jpg


    I'd say if you're trying to protect fog lights, or new headlights definitely use this stuff. If you're trying to save old headlights, this will make them look good until you need to reapply. Which, according to the label is about a year. It doesn't seem to block any light, and you couldn't possibly tell it was on there unless you touched the lens. The only downside is the long drying period (8hrs) that you can't use your truck, or let dust get on it.
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2014
  11. Sep 14, 2014 at 12:32 PM
    #11
    Boerseun

    Boerseun Well-Known Member

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    Cool.
    I am amazed at how clear it is. I thought it might impact the light output, but it seems to be very smooth and 100% clear.
     
  12. Sep 14, 2014 at 12:36 PM
    #12
    braik

    braik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    There's only the tiniest amount of orange peel effect if you are staring hard from a close distance. But other than that it seems to be perfect. According to the reviews, the thicker you put it on, the easier it is to get off. So I might keep that in mind next time I try to use it. The wax that came with it really helped too.
     
  13. Sep 14, 2014 at 2:38 PM
    #13
    Boerseun

    Boerseun Well-Known Member

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  14. Sep 14, 2014 at 5:35 PM
    #14
    NightProwler

    NightProwler Well-Known Member

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    Sub'd. Def might do this with my next set instead of the film. Would be much nicer to just peel it off and reapply after getting scratches from shrubs when trail running. Nice!
     
  15. Sep 14, 2014 at 5:44 PM
    #15
    braik

    braik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I didn't even think of that! Definitely use the wax it came with and apply the spray pretty thick if you're planning on taking it off quickly. Still takes about 20min to remove though.
     
  16. Oct 29, 2014 at 1:21 PM
    #16
    NightProwler

    NightProwler Well-Known Member

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    Well its time for another update. How are they holding up? Any light scratches or hazing or anything like that since you got em done? I'm still debating on this or using the uv film sheets for my next retro. I've had my aftermarket housings with projectors start to yellow and haze finally after almost 2 years. Basically through one summer (installed in Jan '13) in az they are toast. Also the chrome surrounding trim is cracking and peeling:( Wonder if I should use this on that trim too. or just clear coat the trim.. hmm..
     
  17. Oct 29, 2014 at 1:26 PM
    #17
    braik

    braik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Nothing like that. They were still holding up fine until the wife threw them away last week :/

    This stuff is technically made for paint, so using it on the trim should be perfectly fine. It's supposed to be like a clear bra substance.

    The only negative I saw, was when it was removed from the portions of the light that were sun damaged (before I sprayed them) it left behind a weird pattern, like it left a residue. Nothing on the part of the light that wasn't damaged, and it looked perfectly fine while it was applied.
     
  18. Oct 29, 2014 at 1:46 PM
    #18
    NightProwler

    NightProwler Well-Known Member

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    Oh ok. I didn't realize you didn't have them installed and they were just extra lenses. Hmm.. I just don't know what to do.... Was that stuff pretty solid/smooth like a clear coat? Or was it a sticky/tacky/rubbery feel to it? I'm just wondering how it holds up to washes.
     
  19. Oct 29, 2014 at 1:51 PM
    #19
    braik

    braik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It was a bit rubbery, but definitely not tacky. If you've ever used Plastidip it's the same constancy. Or a smartphone screen protector, very similar material seems like.

    It was super smooth. You couldn't tell it was applied unless you left an edge somewhere.

    It should hold up to washes just fine. Like I said, it was made to be put on a car.
     
  20. Oct 29, 2014 at 4:38 PM
    #20
    NightProwler

    NightProwler Well-Known Member

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    Gotcha. Well, I don't mean to dissuade anyone as this is a great solution, but I'm still doing my research. I read in another forum that they used the xpel and it lasted them like 10 years with great protection. But I didn't read further to see what kind of conditions it was exposed to...
     

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