hey guys, I could use some advice on headlight restoration.

A good sealant/uv protectant applied regularly is probably the only preventive solution from what it seems like.

Maybe some spf 50 sunscreen or zinc oxide

 

Damn is that opti stuff really 70 bucks a tube?

 

Sorry guys, this is the stuff I used. Bought it at autozone. I dont always do my research before jumping into a project

 

This stuff

 

When I did this in the past, I had an auto body shop clear my headlights, they did the sanding and then buffed them out when they were done. They looked perfect and will most likely outlast the car. Cost me $80 and they were done the same day.

 

I use Turtle Wax Headlight Cleaner and Restorer.. It is cheap and works well. I use a micro fiber cloth to apply and buff out. If i do this every few months they look good.

 

Yeah that's not great stuff. From label doesn't appear to help with uv either. How hot/humid was it when ya did the spray? I'm assuming it was done outside?

 

I used the $15 3M kit for the initial sand and polish which made them look like new again.
As said they will go yellow again so every 3-5 months I use a rotary polisher on 1K RPM with 3" yellow cutting pads and Meguiar's Plastx. The painters tape put around the headlights actually takes as much time as the polishing. I just consider it routine maintenance now.
I tried using some Meguiar's UV block but in my experience it actually made it go yellow faster.
There are some members here who sand then use urethane which lasts a couple years or more.

 

Instead of buying a packaged kit, I bought the components separately (about $23 total):
buffer pad kit:

11pcs 3"/80mm Compound Drill Buffing Sponge Pads Kit for Car Sanding, Polishing, Waxing, Sealing Glaze (9 Polishing Pads+1 Woolen Buffer+1 Thread Drill Adapter with Shank)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M2WS3BM
polishing compound:

$9 Turtle Wax T-241A Polishing Compound & Scratch Remover - 10.5 oz, White

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009JKGJ2
headlight sealer:

Blue Magic 730-6 Headlight Lens Sealer - 8 oz.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051PJWQW
I did not let my lenses get real bad before restoring them, sandpaper was not needed. The sealer does not impart a hard durable protective layer, it's more like mineral oil than anything, so it simply creates a barrier against the elements. For maintenance going forward, I do a quick hand-polish every 6 months and once a month I will do a good cleaning and reapply the sealer. They do not look perfect, but for 12 year old plastic lenses they do look very good and that's enough for me.
The worst part was cleaning up the polishing compound after doing the work. I should have used the low speed on my drill so it didn't sling everywhere as I polished the lenses.

 

Just an FYI, there is NO UV protective layer on the headlights. What you're seeing is the degradation of the plastic itself. Truly, its oxidation.

 

Yes, a sealant, NOT WAX, will help prevent this. Depending on the product and your environment will depend on the longevity of the product. There are some decent products these days at your local parts store. Just do your research on them before buying and then apply the product to your headlights accordingly.

It seems like a lot but that syringe has enough product to do 2, possibly 3 entire Tacoma's paint surfaces and headlights. That product can last up to two full years (depending mostly on environment).

 

Yes if you pay full price. Buy from Autogeek as they regularly run 15-25% off sales. That tube will last forever. You could easily do a dozen cars with it.

 

I barely got the time and energy to do my own let alone a dozen. I get what ya mean though.

 

Lol. It lasts a while. I have plenty left after doing 3 vehicles with the Opti-Lens. However I did run into a issue on my truck (may have been the applier) where I had to redo as it hazed over again.

 

+1 on this. I used the same buffer kit off Amazon but with Meguiar's PlastiX. Lenses look MUCH better after some buffing. That was about 2 months ago and they are still looking great. I did not seal mine, though.

 

This is how bad it looked after the weird clear coat

 

Today I sanded them down again and applied some Maguire's headlight polish to them. I'm pleased

 

It was 115 degrees when I painted them (in vegas) and it was pretty humid from the rain the day before. I also did 4 coats which was probably too much.

 

That's way too hot your coats were drying basically in mid air each coat is basically overspray on itself.

Me I'd sand down starting with 400 or 800 work up to like 2500 or so make sure it's clearish looking the hit em with a good buffing/polishing and seal em or at least wax em if you aren't gonna seal them.

Didn't see ur update they look good.

 

Yeah that makes sense about the clear coat drying too fast. Never thought of that. Thanks man!