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3rd March 2021, 18:37 | #1 |
Just going about!
Rover 75 CDTi Connie SE Tourer starlight silver and serpents. MG ZT-T 190+ in Raven Black. Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Great Leighs
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Headlight lens restoration
Removed my headlights last week (whilst renewing the bonnet release cables and servicing the catches on the ZT-T), used a restoration kit i bought from eBay whilst they were removed, got a nice clear finish then applied the sealer following the instructions to the letter .
Happy with the results I refitted the headlamps and all was fine until today when it rained, now the sealant has gone opaque and is very sticky to the touch Does anyone have suggestions as to method of removing said 'sealant' and recommendations for a quality restoration kit to rectify the issue. P.S, I looked at the traders feedback on ebay and although it shows 99.8% positive feedback, he has several negatives complaining about the sealant in his kits 'pure superglue' was one description! (Should have looked harder before purchasing, fooled by his apparently good feedback). Many thanks, Paul. |
3rd March 2021, 19:12 | #2 |
This is my second home
Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin)
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Hya Paul. It's hard to guess what's happened, but in my experience, the UV sealant needs to fully cure before exposure to wet weather. I suspect that's the crux of the problem. The current weather conditions (cold and damp) aren't very conducive to obtaining a fully dried/cured film. It sounds like the finish here is a water-based formula, so the effect of rain on the uncured film is to re-dissolve it.
As to removing the now damaged finish, I suspect you'll have more work ahead. I suppose it might remove completely using hot water and a detergent. Maybe try it on a small area first. If that makes things worse, I think you'll have to let it cure fully and re-start from square one. I'd recommend using a separate finisher laquer from the type that often comes with the sanding kits. These seem little more than a wet wipe. You can get aerosol applied UV laquers which are non-aqueous but do require reasonably warm and dry conditions to fully harden. Always read the instructions. This is the stuff I used around eighteen months ago and so far so good. TC Last edited by T-Cut; 3rd March 2021 at 19:14.. |
3rd March 2021, 19:25 | #3 |
Just going about!
Rover 75 CDTi Connie SE Tourer starlight silver and serpents. MG ZT-T 190+ in Raven Black. Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Great Leighs
Posts: 468
Thanks: 626
Thanked 167 Times in 110 Posts
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The kit I used was a sanding/polishing kit and the sealant came with it, applied by wiping on with a supplied applicator sponge.
The sealant when applied had quite a 'chemical' smell to it and although i followed the instruction it appears it hasn't cured, my worry is it will eat into the surface of the lens. One other thing to note was the polish had set solid in the sachets, so maybe the kits had been stored incorrectly before sale. I will remove the bumper when I rectify this and am prepared to start from scratch as it were. |
3rd March 2021, 20:05 | #4 | |
Posted a thing or two
MG ZT Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Hatfield
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Quote:
Kev |
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3rd March 2021, 20:24 | #5 |
I really should get out more.......
MG ZT-T 260 Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Witney
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If you have a local friendly body shop get them to do them, they just need to run some wet and dry over them to key the surface and a coat of lacquer when they are doing another job. The last set my local body shop did he just charged me £20. Most paint finishes need lacquer these days so its very easy for them.
Dont be tempted to do it with a rattle can lacquer as any imperfections will be very visible. The set on my that they did 2 years ago are still looking new. |
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