[D_o_S]

Hi,

how do you treat your headlights/tail lights? I have heard lights are clear coated, is this true?

I only treat them with window cleaner to get the glass looking "transparent", however, I am considering waxing or sealing them... is this a good idea? I'm afraid of the glass becoming hazy with wax on it...

I have also heard Toyota recommends NOT to apply any wax or sealant to headlights, as it may make them go milky... is this true?

So: wax/seal or just glass cleaner?

Thanks.

[Otruba_843]

Just throw a coat or two of sealant on them after a wash and they should be fine. Do about every 3 months because there is going to be wear and tear on the sealant from the headlight heat. Or if you really want to get intense, pick up a lens coating like Opti-lense.

[Elliott@DetailAddict]

Originally Posted by Otruba_843

Just throw a coat or two of sealant on them after a wash and they should be fine. Do about every 3 months because there is going to be wear and tear on the sealant from the headlight heat. Or if you really want to get intense, pick up a lens coating like Opti-lense.

+1

Sealant on your lights would help prevent oxidation as well.

[D_o_S]

Ok, so sealant... and can I put wax ontop of it?

[jbnery6465]

Originally Posted by D_o_S

Ok, so sealant... and can I put wax ontop of it?

That would probably be unnecessary. I would assume the primary purpose of sealing headlights/taillights is to protect them from oxidation - which the sealant will do just fine. Adding wax ontop of sealant is mainly for adding 'depth' to the finish - which only makes sense and is noticeable on the cars paint anyways.

[5soko]

I use to clay my headlights and when waxing the whole car just throw a coat of wax on the headlights..

Now I clay them, light polish once or so a year, and apply blackfire sealant on the headlights a few times a year, protects them and is a great uv blocker so the headlights don't oxidize over time.

I wax the rest of the car but use sealant on the headlights and certain parts of the car for added protection

[D_o_S]

Ok... and are the headlights clear coated or not?

I'm wondering what I should use to polish them... they're not hazy or anything, but I would like to polish them anyway...

If they're clear coated, then I guess I should use paint polish, if they're not, then some PlastX or something...

So can I use normal paint polish to polish the glass?

[SHEEDI]

Why dont you guys cover them with 3m PPF Film? my headlighys are coevered in PPF and i dont have spend my time/energy/money every 3 months to take care of them . Film also protect them from rock chips

[D_o_S]

thanks for the idea of film, but I'm not a fan of film on my car anywhere, be it clear bra or headlights or whatever

[tonydetiger]

I use Meguiars PlastX cleaner and protectant. Works well.

[daviddn]

Originally Posted by tonydetiger

I use Meguiars PlastX cleaner and protectant. Works well.

I use this as well, its pretty good

[TOGWT]

Optimum Opti-Lens Headlight Coating - an advanced, resin-based coating Opti-Lens is a hybrid coating based on Opti Coat. OPT added acrylic for flexibility due to the constant expanding and contracting and increased the UV absorbers content to accommodate the absence of protection inherit to polycarbonate.

This product is specifically designed to provide protection for headlights, taillights and other poly-carbonate surfaces

For use on new (OEM) or renovated headlight lenses; bonds directly to the polycarbonate finish due to its acrylic co-polymer resin content designed to bind with plastic and polycarbonate. Once applied to the headlight or other hard surfaces, the resin will form covalent bonds with the substrate and crosslink to form a permanent film. Opti-Lens coating contains high levels of UV blockers to prevent headlights from fading over time.

Apply directly to the headlight using a poly foam applicator or Optimum Dual Pro Applicator. Work a small amount of product over the lens using overlapping passes until it appears to melt into the lens and disappear. Remove any streaks or high spots with a soft microfiber towel. It takes approximately 30 minutes to cure before it can be exposed to water. Allow 24 hours to pass before washing or cleaning with pressure.
This product can only be removed via mechanical means (abrasive polishing) it does not wear off.


TOGWT® Autopia Detailing Wiki Article - “Headlight Restoration” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1506615


TOGWT® Autopia Detailing Wiki Articles, these informational resources contain everything you’ll ever want to know about automotive detailing and are an invaluable addition to your detailing knowledge base -. http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...yperlinks.html

[kumkum]

Originally Posted by D_o_S

Ok... and are the headlights clear coated or not?

I'm wondering what I should use to polish them... they're not hazy or anything, but I would like to polish them anyway...

If they're clear coated, then I guess I should use paint polish, if they're not, then some PlastX or something...

So can I use normal paint polish to polish the glass?

No, you should not paint polish them because they need tp transparent, you can apply two or three coats of wax or polish for just making it safe from scratches and dust.

[P1]

I always put a layer of Menzerna Power Lock on my lights.

[nm3]

Window cleaner on headlights is the worst thing you can do to them.