Gen 2 Headlight Bulbs

Whatever you choose to use to polish the lens, make sure you apply the UV protectant afterwards else it will discolor quickly thereafter.

 

The better kits have a clear coat final layer. However there is no magic bullet for yellowing that lasts more than a year or two short of buying new housings.

 

You can reapply the UV protectant easily, monthly, which may help.

 

Cost about the same, prep and time the same. Get the 2K spray clear coat, your car paint has 2k clear for UV protection.

Headlight restoration kits $20-30

2K Spray Clear coat $30

Eastwood version 2k clear spray probably rebadge

2k clear videos

 

Never heard of this 2 component aerosol before, but found the text below in an online review.

"This product will expire in about 48 hours after activation so plan ahead for multiple projects."

How much better is this compared to the other uv clear coats from krylon, duplicolor etc?

 

krylon, duplicolor no hardener/activator, limited UV protection

https://erapaints.com/1k-vs-2k-clear-coat/

1K Coating vs 2K Coatings

 

Philips is a good brand. The issue these days is how long they last. Some of the cheap ones may not last a year.

 

Yes always a pain to replace Gen2 lamps, I usually gave bulb life a vote...

 

Just finished my 3 vehicles. Had a couple leftover headlight renewal kits. Decided to just buy some sheets of 3M abrasives 1000, 2000, 3000, and Meguiar's Ultimate Compound. Then sprayed Spraymax 2k Gloss Clear. Interested to see if the 2K clear holds up under UV rays. The headlight renewal kits start to cloud within a year. Enough SprayMax to clear 3 headlight pairs.

 

2K clear coat is nasty stuff. Rather than spend the $$$ on adequate safety gear I would purchase a good set of compatible (not OEM) headlights. The pair of headlights will run $150(ish), definitely less than the cost of the needed protective equipment.

For now, on my car, I just keep a layer of wax on the headlights. When they get too foggy, wash it off with some detergent and reapply. (It works because the index of refraction of wax is very close to that of plastic. The wax fills in the little cracks,scratches, and pits and greatly reduces light scattering. A polished wax surface is very smooth, which is why it is shiny. ) 10 minutes work every 6 months or so.

Edit. "Polished" is the wrong word. Buffed I guess? In any case, the dried applied wax is rubbed with a cloth until it is shiny and any excess is removed.

 

Or just reapply the UV protectant every couple of months. Takes five minutes.

 

$150 PPE? Speak for yourself. First of all I'm not dumb enough to spray indoors in an enclosed space.

Also a pre-mixed spray bomb, no mixtures. My driveway, with moderate breeze behind me, after paint cured on 3 vehicles, couple of bugs, big deal.

Gerson N95 vapour mask with new cartridge, I dispose after 5 hours of use instead of 20, face shield, googles, nitrile gloves, disposable coveralls. Everything I had on hand. I do my share of auto body.