ULTIMATE Headlight restoration information - Page 4

T-Cut · 23rd February 2017, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

- - - the lenses are 100% PC, no uv layers added in the moulding process.

The Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlamp
covers it all and confirms a hard coat containing the UV stabiliser is applied to the surface after the cover has been moulded.

TC

genpk · 24th February 2017, 06:22

There was definately bits of some sort of coating on my lenses and I would think that as the higher end headlight restorer kits all have a uv resistant clear coat, that the factory must have applied a clear finish to the headlights.
As said, the INVISION kit i got had 400 / 1000 / 2000 / 3000 grit wet and dry paper with a bottle of cleaner (alcohol ?) and a bottle of uv clear coat.
After doing all the cleaning etc ,I wiped the clear coat on and they came up like brand new !!!!

coab · 24th February 2017, 08:40

Do as Ive had done and get them rubbed down then sprayed with two pack lacquer. Lasts forever and restores them like new. About £35 the pair job done.

And the finished article............

Dave at work!...........

Mike24 · 24th February 2017, 09:07

Interesting! Do you have contact details for this service?

sponge_mike · 24th February 2017, 09:26

I can vouch for Dave 100% - he did a first class on a previous car of mine and am just waiting until I can get to see him to have my current car done.
For what he charges to do a professional job, it's not worth faffing around with a restoration kit and trying to do it yourself. Just imagine if you accidentally damaged the paint!

coab · 24th February 2017, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike24

Interesting! Do you have contact details for this service?

Drop me a pm and will give you his details. Obviously he is situated in Coventry but if you are going to say a Nano meet or POL ideal to book it in. Takes about an hour or so. Nice guy and once its done thats it, no more polishing or treating it with expensive chemicals.

genpk · 24th February 2017, 09:53

If the guy in the picture is spraying 2 pack with just the air filtration on his face he is going to not be a well bloke if he does it alot!!!
Need clean air filtration ,full face mask and cover bare skin etc ,nasty stuff if you get prolonged exposure to the stuff.
Looks like it is 2 pack as he has covered most of the car from the mist it creates- remains sticky for hours.
The other thing ,as mentioned, unless there is some sort of keying medium used first on the poly carbonate for the 2 pack to stick to, it will eventually de laminate from the poly carbonate lens,not to mention heat ?
Even when spraying 2 pack onto plastic bumpers you need specific mediums applied prior to the final 2 pack coat to bond to the bumper,also not sure how 2 pack would react to the headlight heat created on the lens by Xenon lights . ??
Just a bunch I questions.
On the positives, 2 pack already has a UV stabiliser in it and it is super tough when dry.
BTW, you can buy spray cans of 2 pack clear also but you need to use the can within an hour of cracking the hardener in it!!!

coab · 24th February 2017, 10:28

He keys them first in various stages as you know they are rough and uneven when they deteriorate. First one was done 4 years ago and still like new.

Jules · 24th February 2017, 13:37

My theory is the very early cars either better quality headlamps or a superior UV coating as both X reg 75's we have here are 100% original and headlamps are still clear like new (never been polished)

coab · 24th February 2017, 14:45

Some MK2 headlamps are horrific even met people who have bought new ones! A lady at work had a 2005 Astra and they failed MOT and £200 odd later they were replaced.

24th February 2017, 13:37	#39
Jules This is my second home ZT 260 SE Twilight and 10 other 75 ZT's :O Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Conwy NORTH WALES Posts: 11,094 Thanks: 512 Thanked 1,116 Times in 763 Posts	My theory is the very early cars either better quality headlamps or a superior UV coating as both X reg 75's we have here are 100% original and headlamps are still clear like new (never been polished) __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Newbies do now!! 1. Plenum drains..all 3 or 4 year dependent 2. Cooling fan..All speeds functioning 3. Bonnet cable divider block

24th February 2017, 06:22	#32
genpk Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon MGZT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Perth, AUSTRALIA Posts: 1,663 Thanks: 3 Thanked 461 Times in 299 Posts	There was definately bits of some sort of coating on my lenses and I would think that as the higher end headlight restorer kits all have a uv resistant clear coat, that the factory must have applied a clear finish to the headlights. As said, the INVISION kit i got had 400 / 1000 / 2000 / 3000 grit wet and dry paper with a bottle of cleaner (alcohol ?) and a bottle of uv clear coat. After doing all the cleaning etc ,I wiped the clear coat on and they came up like brand new !!!!

24th February 2017, 08:40	#33
coab This is my second home 2007 57 GOLF GTi EDITION 30 DSG Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Newport Shropshire and Coventry. Posts: 5,138 Thanks: 2,424 Thanked 1,452 Times in 852 Posts	Do as Ive had done and get them rubbed down then sprayed with two pack lacquer. Lasts forever and restores them like new. About £35 the pair job done. And the finished article............ Dave at work!...........

24th February 2017, 09:07	#34
Mike24 Loves to post Rover 75 CDTI Auto Saloon Connoisseur SE Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Coventry Posts: 358 Thanks: 166 Thanked 67 Times in 56 Posts	Interesting! Do you have contact details for this service?

24th February 2017, 09:26	#35
sponge_mike Gets stuck in Rover 75 Connoisseur SE CDTi Automatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Skegness Posts: 899 Thanks: 191 Thanked 157 Times in 96 Posts	I can vouch for Dave 100% - he did a first class on a previous car of mine and am just waiting until I can get to see him to have my current car done. For what he charges to do a professional job, it's not worth faffing around with a restoration kit and trying to do it yourself. Just imagine if you accidentally damaged the paint!

24th February 2017, 09:53	#37
genpk Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon MGZT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Perth, AUSTRALIA Posts: 1,663 Thanks: 3 Thanked 461 Times in 299 Posts	If the guy in the picture is spraying 2 pack with just the air filtration on his face he is going to not be a well bloke if he does it alot!!! Need clean air filtration ,full face mask and cover bare skin etc ,nasty stuff if you get prolonged exposure to the stuff. Looks like it is 2 pack as he has covered most of the car from the mist it creates- remains sticky for hours. The other thing ,as mentioned, unless there is some sort of keying medium used first on the poly carbonate for the 2 pack to stick to, it will eventually de laminate from the poly carbonate lens,not to mention heat ? Even when spraying 2 pack onto plastic bumpers you need specific mediums applied prior to the final 2 pack coat to bond to the bumper,also not sure how 2 pack would react to the headlight heat created on the lens by Xenon lights . ?? Just a bunch I questions. On the positives, 2 pack already has a UV stabiliser in it and it is super tough when dry. BTW, you can buy spray cans of 2 pack clear also but you need to use the can within an hour of cracking the hardener in it!!!

24th February 2017, 10:28	#38
coab This is my second home 2007 57 GOLF GTi EDITION 30 DSG Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Newport Shropshire and Coventry. Posts: 5,138 Thanks: 2,424 Thanked 1,452 Times in 852 Posts	He keys them first in various stages as you know they are rough and uneven when they deteriorate. First one was done 4 years ago and still like new.

24th February 2017, 14:45	#40
coab This is my second home 2007 57 GOLF GTi EDITION 30 DSG Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Newport Shropshire and Coventry. Posts: 5,138 Thanks: 2,424 Thanked 1,452 Times in 852 Posts	Some MK2 headlamps are horrific even met people who have bought new ones! A lady at work had a 2005 Astra and they failed MOT and £200 odd later they were replaced.