SO.. 'the method' involves doing the headlight resto first and then applying a 50/50, later suggested as a 70/30 mixture of this stuff called 'Helmsman Spar Urethane (Indoor/Outdoor)Clear Gloss', then mixed with Mineral Spirits (1part urethane to 1 part mineral spirits) in order to preserve the resto via a layer of UV protection. Interesting.
I like to think that I have better things to do with my time than read 142 fekin pages of 'it works, no it doesn't, yes it works, no it doesn't you motherf*cker! ... white power! ... black power!...' -type posts. So I skipped to the end where the concensus seemed to indicate that it does in fact seem to work like a charm.
Anyone else applied a UV sealant to the headlights post-resto?
I'm tempted to give the above recipe a go after restoring mine as they look quite shocking at the moment but the Helsman stuff seems to be only available in the good 'ol US of A.
https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/sh ... -idea.html
Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
Headlight resto. 142 pages of posts just on this one method! Those crazy 'murrrcuns!
- Chris_D
- Lifer
- Posts: 6615
- Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:41 pm
- Location: Mostly Holland. Sometimes UK.
Headlight resto. 142 pages of posts just on this one method! Those crazy 'murrrcuns!
E85 3.0i roadie (03) 'Benny'. E93 320d M-Sport Cabrio (11) 'Bob'.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
- ben g
- Lifer
- Posts: 7858
- Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:20 pm
- Location: Essex
Headlight resto. 142 pages of posts just on this one method! Those crazy 'murrrcuns!
I bought some uv sealant from Amazon. Applied 2 coats and they look great.
I last did them 5 years ago, so the sealant definitely works as that's the last time I applied it before this year
https://www.amazon.co.uk/GLASS-POLISH-S ... B00A3S1RGU
I last did them 5 years ago, so the sealant definitely works as that's the last time I applied it before this year
https://www.amazon.co.uk/GLASS-POLISH-S ... B00A3S1RGU
Red Soft-top Sterling grey 3.0i - Z4M Front, Eibachs, Polybushed, Clear headlights, Triple clear spot rear lights, Shadow Chrome 107's, Sport MFSW, ZHP.
-
- Member
- Posts: 104
- Joined: Mon Feb 29, 2016 4:39 pm
Headlight resto. 142 pages of posts just on this one method! Those crazy 'murrrcuns!
Did you apply them after the headlights were restored? The headlights already have a UV coating, which gets stripped off in the restoration process. That spar urethane thing is supposed to form the new UV coating after restoration is done. Not so sure this amazon product can do the job...ben g wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2019 1:28 pm I bought some uv sealant from Amazon. Applied 2 coats and they look great.
I last did them 5 years ago, so the sealant definitely works as that's the last time I applied it before this year
https://www.amazon.co.uk/GLASS-POLISH-S ... B00A3S1RGU
- ben g
- Lifer
- Posts: 7858
- Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:20 pm
- Location: Essex
Headlight resto. 142 pages of posts just on this one method! Those crazy 'murrrcuns!
Yes, sorry I thought I made that clear in my post. I used the 3m headlamp restoration kit 5 years ago. I then applied 1 coat of this sealant afterwards.pcube wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2019 2:45 pmDid you apply them after the headlights were restored? The headlights already have a UV coating, which gets stripped off in the restoration process. That spar urethane thing is supposed to form the new UV coating after restoration is done. Not so sure this amazon product can do the job...ben g wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2019 1:28 pm I bought some uv sealant from Amazon. Applied 2 coats and they look great.
I last did them 5 years ago, so the sealant definitely works as that's the last time I applied it before this year
https://www.amazon.co.uk/GLASS-POLISH-S ... B00A3S1RGU
Fast forward 5 years and my headlamps needed re-doing. After using the 3m kit again, I then applied 2 coats of the same sealant and they look factory fresh now.
I'd say 5 years is pretty good return rate, but you go with whatever you feel will work best for you
Red Soft-top Sterling grey 3.0i - Z4M Front, Eibachs, Polybushed, Clear headlights, Triple clear spot rear lights, Shadow Chrome 107's, Sport MFSW, ZHP.