Headlight refresh snafu

[jcp]

"99 Base Boxster. I sanded and polished the headlight lens several days ago and today sprayed them with Meguiars ultraviolet protector. I must have not cleaned them sufficiently because I ended up with several fisheyes. I used alcohol as a cleaner. Is there a better solvent to use? Any help appreciated.

[Qingdao]

Wetsand and polish it back down and try again...


Are you sure the headlights weren't already coated with clear coat?

[jcp]

The original clear coat was badly chipped on both lights so I completely removed it by sanding. It’s easy to see when you get it all off.
So alcohol is the proper solvent to clean the freshly polished surface to prepare for clear coat?

[Qingdao]

I've never used the Meguires protectant, but I'm thinking it might be reacting in some way to the existing clear on the lenses.

I've always just cut plastic headlights down with 800 or 1000 grit then gave them a shot of 2k clear.

But if you are having issues with fisheye cut just the fisheyes down and polish and re-coat. If the meguires is anything like paint a re-coat like this should reduce the fisheye.


Does the meguiers can say anything about humidity or temperature?


Just thinking out loud here.

[jcp]

Unfortunately Meguires doesn't mention any condition requirements. After the lights cure for a few days, I'll re-sand and try again. I appreciate your quick response.
What is '2k clear'?

[Qingdao]

Two part high solids urethane clear coat. The stuff you paint cars with.

[78F350]

For a good clear coat without having your own spray equipment, some guys have taken their headlights to a body shop and had them sprayed for fairly cheap. Not that hard for the paint guys to do when they are finishing up a car.

[jcp]

Ah, I see. Sounds like the way to go. Thanks for the tip guys.

[Qingdao]

Originally Posted by 78F350

For a good clear coat without having your own spray equipment, some guys have taken their headlights to a body shop and had them sprayed for fairly cheap. Not that hard for the paint guys to do when they are finishing up a car.

I think they sell it in a rattle can. Might take two cans though.

Auto body shops will probably deliver the highest quality spray.

[PaulE]

Eastwood makes a 2K Clearcoat in a spray can. Once the button is pushed to activate it, it has to be used. It is available from Eastwood and on Amazon.

[itsnotanova]

Originally Posted by PaulE

Eastwood makes a 2K Clearcoat in a spray can. Once the button is pushed to activate it, it has to be used. It is available from Eastwood and on Amazon.

That's the only rattle can I would recommend on a vehicle you care about. Claer coat paints you buy from your local store don't have a hardner in them and will get dull with sun exposure. Any clear you spray on headlights needs to be put on with very very light coats at first. You also need the coats to dry before laying on another coat. Putting a clear coat on headlights is not a rush job.

[PaulE]

Originally Posted by itsnotanova

That's the only rattle can I would recommend on a vehicle you care about. Claer coat paints you buy from your local store don't have a hardner in them and will get dull with sun exposure. Any clear you spray on headlights needs to be put on with very very light coats at first. You also need the coats to dry before laying on another coat. Putting a clear coat on headlights is not a rush job.

Which is why I'm waiting for the weather to warm up before I finish polishing these and using my can of the Eastwood stuff! I sure hope this picture doesn't come out upside down!

[Qingdao]

Prep the lenses with 1000 grit before you spray the clear on. Don't spray a polished surface.

[jcp]

Originally Posted by itsnotanova

That's the only rattle can I would recommend on a vehicle you care about. Claer coat paints you buy from your local store don't have a hardner in them and will get dull with sun exposure. Any clear you spray on headlights needs to be put on with very very light coats at first. You also need the coats to dry before laying on another coat. Putting a clear coat on headlights is not a rush job.

Originally Posted by Qingdao

Prep the lenses with 1000 grit before you spray the clear on. Don't spray a polished surface.

This is good info!!
Thanks guys!!

[Burg Boxster]

Fisheyes are sign of surface contamination.

Most likely from oils of your fingers or silicone found in most consumer car detailing products like tire sling, quick detailers, armor all, etc. Thus most body shops abhor it and use silicone free products... unless they have separate facilities where they can keep paint areas silicone sterile.

Anywho... as last prep item before spray... wipe down surfaces ready to accept paint with a paint prep-solvent (3m and PPG make great ones) or denatured alcohol at the least.

Likewise, use a real clear coat not all in one box solution. Otherwise, do the prep work and have local body shop spray clear for you.

Good luck

[jcp]

I am assuming Eastwood EW2K (item 14148Z) clear gloss is correct?

[PaulE]

Originally Posted by Burg Boxster

Fisheyes are sign of surface contamination.

Most likely from oils of your fingers or silicone found in most consumer car detailing products like tire sling, quick detailers, armor all, etc. Thus most body shops abhor it and use silicone free products... unless they have separate facilities where they can keep paint areas silicone sterile.

Anywho... as last prep item before spray... wipe down surfaces ready to accept paint with a paint prep-solvent (3m and PPG make great ones) or denatured alcohol at the least.

Likewise, use a real clear coat not all in one box solution. Otherwise, do the prep work and have local body shop spray clear for you.

Good luck

Are those paint prep-solvents safe for the polycarbonate lenses? I ask because most times when I use a solvent on something plastic, it ends in disaster for the plastic!

Originally Posted by jcp

I am assuming Eastwood EW2K (item 14148Z) clear gloss is correct?

That is the one I purchased.