clear coating headlights

I've seen some info on this. Has anyone done this? Your thoughts the on the results? Also, if doing this, do the inside of the headlights ever need cleaning or sealing? I'm assuming that in the seals on the headlights are fine then the only oxidation that will occur is on the exterior of the headlight, right?

 

Why? Just keep them clean and waxed. There is a lot of info why NOT to clear coat headlight lens, and about the only time I see it being questionable is when they have been refinished.

 

No problems with mine and previous cars. Granted mine was done by my friend who owns a body shop and done right in terms prepping+automotive clear coat.

Although you have to remember this is only done on the exterior lens. It's not going to protect the inside of your headlights.

 

I'm not paint guy and don't know what it takes to do this but my father in law has worked in body shops his whole life and he did my wife's 05' Camry headlights and I was shocked when he told me that they were her old lenses. They were so white when he took the car to his shop and they looked brand new when we got the car back. It was crazy!! That was a couple years ago and they still look new and no problems.

 

I'm contemplating doing the spar urethane method to my new set of headlights I've been procrastinating building(with a new retro), because the lenses deteriorate too fast. That or try a uv film. Can't decide.

And yes the outside is usually the only thing to deteriorate on the lens. Its very rare anything happens to the inside of the lens.

 

I have always had really good luck with washing and waxing them. I always use meguirs gold class wax on mine, have for at least the last 20 years on all my cars. Never have had an issue with discoloration or anything.

I would say that if you wanna clear coat them, there would be alot of prep work for it to take right and be done right. Make sure you research it well.

 

Just get a roll of 12" x 60" 3m clear bra paint protection film
It's less than $20 and it Works awesome!

 

Meguiar's makes a product specifically for this purpose, of protecting the headlights from UV derogation. I would use it rather than trying to paint your lights.
http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g17110-headlight-protectant/

 

I restored my headlights then used meguiars gold class paste all summer (everytime I waxed truck)
I also restored my wife's civic headlights but used plastX all summer.

After all summer...Mine had a definite yellow look.
The plastX was clear. No yellow at all..
Needless to say I have now switched to plastX for both.

I have not tried my meguiars synthetic paste yet.

 

Plastx works ok to clear up light yellowing/oxidation. But it doesn't really help prevent further degradation in my experience using it. I'm not exactly sure how it works, but if it removes yellowing and oxidation, I'd imagine it removes some Of the clear coat as well. But besides that, the clear coat is already failing so it's not gonna help much unless you actually restore it. So saying that, I think the o.p. as well as myself, are looking for a method to help the clear coat last longer, or applying something that will make them last longer. I wouldn't use plastx to maintain them. Its an abrasive paste. Even tho they say it helps, I don't think it really does like other products do better at.

 

My bad i meant..Nxt not plastx.

I wet sand multiple times , then 3m rubbing compound (by then discoloration is mostly gone)..then i plastx and nxt.


I was just saying in my experience Meguiars gold paste wax would look slightly yellowish between waxings..over time..
Wife's car had Nxt (Not plastx) and stayed clear.

I haven't tried meguiars ultimate synthetic paste yet.

 

I forgot to mention before I used the clear bra I used a wet sand kit to restore the lights. The clear bra was used only when the lenses were crystal clear. Great way to prevent any future damage and discoloration