My headlights had a yellowness to them I really didn't like. So this past weekend, after weeks worth of studying up I decided to go after them to make them clearer. I haven't had a DIY project go so bad in a long time! I've since learned what I did wrong. I wet sanded my headlights with 600, 800, 1500, 2000 & 3000 grit sandpaper. They looked so much better I took it further with my Novus plastic polishes and my Porter Cable polisher. I thought they turned out great. Much better than they were. (see the attached image and yes that is my "workbench" when I am working with water!
The disaster step was applying a clear coat recommended on a Youtube video, Rust-oleum 2X Gloss Clear. It instantly turned milky, checked and clearly was not the right product for what I had prepared. Seems there is a reason you stop at a consistently cloudy surface after wet sanding to give a product like the Rust-oleum something to bond onto. My polished surfaces didn't allow that even thought I had wiped them down with alcohol to ensure they were "clean." I let that clear gloss paint product dry then sanded it all off and started over.
I know I need to apply a UV protective layer or they will quickly yellow again. I did read Particlewave's recommendation the best way is to have a professional shop do the clear coat. And I may have learned my lesson the hard way he is right. But, I just have to inquire if anyone has successfully used a UV protection layer on polished up headlights? The 3M Quick Headlight Clear Coat wipes caught my attention, so I just have to ask if anyone has used them successfully?
