I've always just polished my lights up but watched some videos of wet sanding and lacquering to keep them protected for a long time.

They suggest using a UV resistant lacquer. I've tried getting some in a can and can't find any that say just that but MOST say on the label that they contain UV inhibitors.

This one as an example.

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/paints-body-repair/car-spray-paints/halfords-clear-lacquer-500ml

Reading the description - the uv inhibitors preserve the life of the paint itself. I presume your intent is to preserve the life of the light fitting. For my part, I have sanded and polished a few sets of fabia lights but never lacquered them and they seem to survive ok - certainly for a few years If the lights cost more I might have looked for the uv filtering lacquer myself.

 

reading the Halford blurb again I may have misjudged it - it does indeed claim to preserve the underlying "paint" or headlight, one assumes.

Edited 8 March, 201610 yr by poiuytre111

I've sanded a set down and gave a final rub with very smooth 2000 grit and the light is still cloudy, I don't feel a polish or cutting compound will bring them up to like new.

But a coat of lacquer brings them up perfect.

That's how I read it anyway, saying it will prevent UV Ray's from damaging the light unit

I'll have to try some.

Edited 8 March, 201610 yr by poiuytre111

I'll take pictures of mine today

I used 2500 and then 3000 wet/dry before moving onto the polish which sorted them out. I suggest you this as otherwise you are simply filling the issue not addressing it. I have some pics ill try and get posted for you.

 

There is some UV glass polish on amazon for about a tenner, I believe the UV protection is to prevent yellowing. I used C2V3 on mine as I already had some.

Edited 8 March, 201610 yr by Thisday

Right prepare for pictures!

 

Originally- 

 

After 1500 wet/dry

 

After 2000 wet/dry

 

After 2500 wet / dry

 

After 3000 wet / dry

 

After G3 polish (by machine)

 

before after (before i put the NS one in)

Seems easier? than lacquer I guess!

I've got plenty wet and dry paper at different grades. And see how they turn out.

It was this that made me think of lacquering them.

Id rather polish them out if I'm honest though.

Just dropped a set round the bodyshop and got them to spray them with UV resistant lacquer so will find out how they look in a day or two

Ahhh I thought you meant a sealant rather than actual spray on lacquer, not heard about that technique before. I know Devonutopia has done many set via the method I used (I cribbed his guide!) I don't think he seals them, but pretty sure he hasn't had any complaints years later.

I think I seen him say they have gone misty again, but could be wrong, let's wait and see what he posts up then :p

I'd rather sand and polish rather than lacquer but at least I'll have a comparison now doing both

Haha gonna run one polished and one lacquered?

Best keep them in pairs I recon.

Would be a good test to compare over a year or two though!

Suppose, but be harder to make a direct comparison if they don't undergo the same 'life'

How much is the spray job setting you back?

Edited 8 March, 201610 yr by Thisday

I've just gave the bodyshop one as a trail to see how it turns out so it's free.

If it works well and looks good will be around £15 to get all 6 lenses I've got to clean up

And that's not including the Angel eyes and two pair of genuine xenons I now own... :/

Haha I think you may have a problem....

That's def a good price!

I never lacquer - sand, polish, refine, seal.

What do you seal with Jason?

I never lacquer - sand, polish, refine, seal.

How do the last over time?

I just use Meguiars. Seems to do a good job of stopping them deteriorating after restoration.

 

Would just spraying with very fine oil like WD40 not do a similar job ! Whats supposed to be in it / so good about it ?

Most of the fine polishes have a "carrier" so hence why at first they may not look so good, because you actually haven't cleaned them off properly with fine spirit or something, to get an error-check on the scratches so far.

 

Hence....just adding a similar oil to the carrier in fine polishes ( or just polishing more and more frequently hence reintroducing the carrier oil in the polish again ) - or just polishing it properly like Hutchy - is gonna keep them tided over without expensive "barrier method" products

 

But .... I've never had headlights go that milky in the first place. What causes it, lack of regular washing or something ?

At 10 year old its just edging towards being more scratched than it was when new, but never THAT bad to get to "bitty" status.

I just wash my car one a week or so, seems to keep them in reasonable form and just wonder what do people do ? Drive on the beach or something !

Edited 8 March, 201610 yr by vRSAnt

But .... I've never had headlights go that milky in the first place. What causes it, lack of regular washing or something ?

 

 

The plastic can suffer UV damage.

What do you seal with Jason?

 

Usually Jetseal 109 with an advisory to client to top up regularly.  For serious long term seal GTechniq C5

 

How do the last over time?

 

Absolutely fine as long as sealant kept on top of, as above.

I guess it's the same idea... Somthing to cover the lights.

It's just lacquer is more perminant and doesn't require any maintenance.

I hate spray painting and wouldn't trust myself to do a good job on a vehicle which doesn't belong to me