How to polish headlights so it lasts (re-adding UV protection)

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

$70 today = 29.8 gallons of gasoline tomorrow.

< getting in an accident because I can't see.

[botsapper]

WD-40 debugging, Windex prep, plenty Arm & Hammer toothpaste on clean rag with vigorous kagite uke blocking movements and finally Windex chaser.
The bug spray could melt plastic trim and ruin paint.

[jcp123]

Originally Posted by Daox

Automotive clear coat works too, just most of us don't just have clear coat laying around and a sprayer.

This is what a few of my local body shops will use. There is aerosol clear coat which should work too.

Ahh, another one of my projects I haven't gotten around to.

I'd like to do that then upgrade my headlights to XtraVision Sylvanias.

I thought the Echo's headlights were a nice step up from those in my Mustang. Then I started driving the wife's Kia and WOW. Good headlights are such a nice luxury at night.

[Daox]

I've been very happy with the urethane UV sealant over the buffed headlights on the Metro so far. Its been about 5 months now and they still look nice and clear. It also super easy to apply.

[aetos81]

I wish I would have thought of that years ago! Would have saved so much time sanding and buffing!

Pete

[Daox]

How long has that lasted?

[KFM]

It seems like on Amazon, it generally lasts around six months before the lights return to their original state.

[Old Tele man]

Originally Posted by Daox

How long has that lasted?

Assuming you're asking me, I can't say it's a "one & done" application because I routinely "wipe" the lenses down with a thin coat of the sealer after each (infrequent) car wash. So far, all's well...yellowing not being seen.

[jcp123]

I tried cleaning my yellowed lens...it got better but still far from 100%. However, I bit the bullet and got a set of Sylvania XtraVision bulbs...night and day difference. Good headlights feel so luxurious...

I'll have to work on that lens some more. There may be no possibility of saving it. 15 years of neglect will do that...

[Daox]

I figured I'd post an update on the Metro's headlights. Its been over 6 months now. But, a lot of those months have been winter, so lower temps and not as much sun hours. However, I always park into the sun in winter for cabin heat, so they do see all the sun during the day.

Here are some pics. Its not super easy to see from the pics, but they are a little hazy.







When time allows, I will be redoing the headlights again. This time I'll probably sand them down with 2000 grit like the DIY I read said to do. Then I'll add the urethane. I'll probably also add a few coats of it. I imagine that doing this will build up the urethane thickness and give a longer lasting protective coating.