ULTIMATE Headlight restoration information - Page 3

Mike24 · 23rd February 2017, 17:38

The lenses on my MK2 were very cloudy when I bought it. I went through the recommended process of wet and dry in progressively finer grades followed by polish. The results were good and have shown little further deterioration over the past year or so. There was no discernable protective layer, so I am hopeful that any UV protection is incorporated in the polycarbonate. At the moment there seems to be no definitive answer.

billcoleman · 23rd February 2017, 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by T16

Rattle can or spray gun and compressor?

Was the finish smooth enough for you? Any pics?

Spray gun and compressor. I managed to get a very smooth finish and cannot see any orangpeel. The 2-pack I used was the harder anti-chip type. And there has been no problems with heat from the main beam.

I'll get some pics in the morning.

billcoleman · 23rd February 2017, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

Can you explain what this UV finish consists of, I have heard it mentioned several times on here but have no information on it at all.

I can state that during moulding, no UV finish is moulded into the polycarbonate of the lens at all.

There was definitely a very thin, hard layer on my lenses. It started flaking from one side and was gradually peeling off until it was half missing. When I sanded mine down, you could feel the difference as you got through the hard skin.

Airedale · 23rd February 2017, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rev Jules

With reference to this thread I have one of these franchises very near to me, have contacted them asking for a price, I dont want them to ring me?

Rev

Julien,

Did you manage to get a price from them?

T16 · 23rd February 2017, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike24

The lenses on my MK2 were very cloudy when I bought it. I went through the recommended process of wet and dry in progressively finer grades followed by polish. The results were good and have shown little further deterioration over the past year or so. There was no discernable protective layer, so I am hopeful that any UV protection is incorporated in the polycarbonate. At the moment there seems to be no definitive answer.

Its definitively got a coating on from factory, that's how they are made.

When you polish the coating off and get down to the polycarbonate, you will notice lots of hairline scratches, what do the pros call it? Spiderwebs? As the dirt and dust hits the front lenses.

This 100% does not happen with the original coating. Sure you get chips etc and it goes yellow after 10 years, but it is a lot more scratch resistant than the polycarbonate.

T16 · 23rd February 2017, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by billcoleman

Spray gun and compressor. I managed to get a very smooth finish and cannot see any orangpeel. The 2-pack I used was the harder anti-chip type. And there has been no problems with heat from the main beam.

I'll get some pics in the morning.

Awesome cheers. There should be no heat issue from the main beam!! Afterall, the entire headlight is plastic, including the reflector which takes most of the searing heat!

trikey · 23rd February 2017, 19:51

[QUOTE=T16;2452269]Its definitively got a coating on from factory, that's how they are made.
QUOTE]

No it hasn't, the lenses are 100% PC, no uv layers added in the moulding process.

T16 · 23rd February 2017, 20:07

[QUOTE=trikey;2452292]

Quote:

Originally Posted by T16

Its definitively got a coating on from factory, that's how they are made.
QUOTE]

No it hasn't, the lenses are 100% PC, no uv layers added in the moulding process.

Yes they have, 100%. Otherwise they wouldn't last 5 mins. you just cant see it, as its 100% clear. Ive checked lots of original headlights and they all have a sprayed on hard clear coat.

Jules · 23rd February 2017, 20:11

Where possible park in the shade or face the car North !
Been doing this for years and certainly helps.

In the old days garages were for cars.
Nowadays they seem to be filled with washing machines and junc

T-Cut · 23rd February 2017, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

In the old days garages were for cars.
Nowadays they seem to be filled with washing machines and junk

And lots and lots of headlamp polish!

TC

23rd February 2017, 19:51	#27
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,772 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	[QUOTE=T16;2452269]Its definitively got a coating on from factory, that's how they are made. QUOTE] No it hasn't, the lenses are 100% PC, no uv layers added in the moulding process. __________________ Lest we forget..

23rd February 2017, 20:11	#29
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	Where possible park in the shade or face the car North ! Been doing this for years and certainly helps. In the old days garages were for cars. Nowadays they seem to be filled with washing machines and junc __________________ [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

23rd February 2017, 17:38	#21
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	The lenses on my MK2 were very cloudy when I bought it. I went through the recommended process of wet and dry in progressively finer grades followed by polish. The results were good and have shown little further deterioration over the past year or so. There was no discernable protective layer, so I am hopeful that any UV protection is incorporated in the polycarbonate. At the moment there seems to be no definitive answer.