a simple idea for glass headlights...get a plastic protective covering so if a rock does hit it, the plastic cover cracks/breaks instead of the headlight (edit: an electric palm sander does wonders too)
@@daxconnell7661 In all the years I drove cars with glass headlights, I never had one break. These fancy plastic headlights are a curse. If the glass ones are still available, I may contrive to replace the plastic ones somehow.
I'm 70 years old and never had a glass headlight break. Even in a minor accident the metal bent but headlight was OK. Just more corporate BS finding ways to get more money from consumers.
Finally someone shows how to do headlight restoration correctly! There are dozens if not hundreds of methods on YT and elsewhere claiming to do the job easily in minutes, but the truth is, there's no shortcut that works. It takes considerable elbow grease, with several progressively finer sandpaper grits, exactly as shown here. Thanks!
A very thorough hands on way to fix a common issue. Having the same problem with my van, eBay OEM headlight for £24 was the easier solution, the downside is the other headlight looks bad compared to the new!
@@MIUBHI007 What use is plastic adhesion promoter when it isn't direct to plastic? I used 1k clear once. That was good for a few years. 2k would last longer. One possible problem is insurance. They might invalidate you for modding car.
I've done aircraft plexiglass, and ALWAYS sand in one direction, then change 90 degrees with next grit, rinse, repeat. This way, you can easily make sure you've removed all scatches from previous grit; otherwise, you may be trying to remove 600 scratches with 1000 grit, etc. Aircraft windshields are large, and of course, if you screw one up you're out of busine$$.
Don't doubt it mate... although I think as long as you sand thoroughly and keep your process uniform... you will achieve the desired results. Obviously I've sped up the sanding process as it's boring to watch.
Aircrafts do not have old Nissan Micras headlights, you are comparing two completely different processes for two completely different objects and saying one is better that the other. They are NOT comparative, full stop.
I would disagree. It’s the process of wet sanding that’s in question. I’ve worked in high-end bodyshop and I have never come across any piece of profession equipment or member of staff who sands in straight lines, regardless of the surface being prepared. Anyway, it obviously works for you so we will have to agree to disagree.
Finally a propper realistic video presentation by someone with knowledge and experience instead of a typical UA-camr "influencer" who's only just discovered which way up to hold a spray can....lol 😮😂
Ive done this to my 1967 Pontiac and it looks freakjng amazjng....oh wait, no i didnt because its got the original glass headlights that still look new.
I often wondered if they were sealed from the factory. In recent years the likes of Maguire’s have included an aerosol sealer in their headlight restoration kits. Using 2K lacquer makes complete sense. I saw the top comment about micro cracks etc. At the end of the day this should last a couple of years. When it finally degrades machine sand it off with some 800 and start again. I am so glad I found your channel, a few years ago now. I have used your methods and saved hundreds of pounds improving paint jobs on my cars and repairing scratches etc. Thanks Mr CRV POV, your a legend!
2004 Corsa. For MoT I buff the yellowed lenses with Brasso and Vim kitchen scouring powder. Finish with Turtle Wax headlamp uv protector. Been doing this twelve years.
I've done this for decades, doesn't take long, and lasts. ez money maker. Personally i go in one direction per grit, helps for precise details and removing each grits lines. Nice job man
one thing they teach you in any automotive setting is you never go in strait lines unless you want giant gouges in your substrate to work with. good to know youve been doing it wrong for decades.
@@nopes1776you again?! my friend owns a body shop and sometimes restores valuable old cars and he instructs all his trainees to go in one direction per grit only (you start off perpendicular to the wind flow, if applicable.) he has eagle eyes and knows every little detail there is to know on a microscopic level about paint. so, the comment you replied to did everything right!
@@nopes1776this one's gone too? I'm not getting it why I can't comment anymore. -- you again?! my friend owns a body shop and sometimes restores valuable old cars and he instructs all his trainees to go in one direction per grit only (you start off perpendicular to the wind flow, if applicable.) he has eagle eyes and knows every little detail there is to know on a microscopic level about paint. so, the comment you replied to did everything right!
Great job! I am a coatings and resin specialist and worked for PPG. You did this the right way. The only thing I would suggest is not call the 2k clear "lacquer". In USA that is a "non catalyzed thermo plastic". What you are using is a "Thermo-set" product. It just confuses some people. Thank you for the great video!
Immaculate as always. People comment about sanding directions, if you are unexperienced then yes, it's easier to see if you removed scratches from previous stage. But this dude has a miles and miles in his hands and can sand with his eyes closed. Thanks for the clear video as always, cheers!
Great job !!! I did the same on my 2004 Lexus GS 300 4 yrs ago. They still look as good as the first day I did them. My car is garage kept also. Only difference in my process is I didn’t wet sand or polish my clear coat after spraying. I sprayed a total of 3 even coats of 2k clear. Looked great so that’s why I didn’t wet sand and polish them. Nice video you did , to the point 👍
The 3M kit works awesome for 25$ and 1/4 of the work. Comes with drill bit polishing pad and compound instead of spraying top coat. Has all the sandpaper and they stick onto the drill bit wheel too. Did my Benz and Volvo 4-5 years ago and still looks new. For the price and the amount of work required, it’s hard to beat .
@@FlyMeAirplane 2k spray is a must if u leave car in sunlight. normal spray last max 1-2 years then turns yellow. 2k last at least 4 years (notingh last in direct sunlight.... nothing)
I'm gonna have to try this and hope it works for me like it did for you in this video , I'm 67 years young and will try anything at least once to see if it works . Thanks for this video Sir ❤💯👵🏽🙏🏽
I did this same thing to my Scion xB about 6 years ago and the headlights are still clear. I used Krylon clear coat with UV protection, UV is the key to keeping the headlights from going yellow sooner than later.
Good tip about warming the can, especially during the winter, I usually stand it on the hall radiator for 15 minutes before shaking again and using. Lovely finish buddy 👍😁
@@tjjoseph333 don’t try moving to the U.K. then Joe, you’ll probably die from exposure. (We’re in mid summer now and it’s bloody wet and freezing!) ☹️👎
Lol a guy at the dragstrip years ago put a can of silicone they were using for something on the top of the timing shack heater. It ended up blasting right through the roof. Don’t call em bomb cans for nothing
On my old Mondeo the head lights come completely off . Saves me time from the masking. With this tutorial I found out what I was doing wrong at the end stage all these years. Thanks Mate .
I had been looking for videos on how to get my 08 civic si trunk open with the rear seats up. So many people saying use a prybar and broomstick to reach the emergency latch but you cant when your trunk is full of crap! But after eatching this i simply put my key into the slot next to the trunk popper and it allowed me to fully pull that lever up and the trunk opened. Saved me a headache. Thanks
Good video mate. Like you i have been doing Head Light repairs for years now. I use Meguiars Head Light Coating. After using many products over the years i find this is best. I do not use 2k products on head light... Have a great day...from Kiwi
I can attest to Meguiars working great. But I suspect if you've done all the prep work beforehand properly, the coating step is the easy part, and several different products will do the job well enough.
I thought it looked good with the Pro2kClear because that was great clarity. Will work well on scale model cars. But when you polished it, I could see the reflection on the surface, a white rectangle...that made me see the true benefit. Top work!
Watched this on the living room TV.... when done, ran to the computer to subscribe. Well done. (And NO, I do not know how to subscribe with the TV remote lol )
Nice video, the exact same method I used on my 2008 VW Golf. I had used ordinary 1k paint previously but that only lasted a few months as the clearcoat itself started to yellow. So I repeated the process with 2k paint and 2 years on my headlights still look like new. Just like to add that you can be fairly agressive with 2000 or 3000 grit sandpaper sand down 100% all the orange peel before polishing and wax. The 2k coat is essentially the same as the clearcoat on your car paint so you can polish and wax it the exact same way as you would car body paint.
@@JillofAllTrades2 Professional painters do it all the time to smooth down orange peel on freshly painted cars. Orange peel is basically hills and valleys in the clearcoat layer and the trick is to 'erode' the hills so that they are smooth and level with the valleys. When you begin sanding you will see the hills getting sanded but valleys clear and untouched. Keep on sanding until you reach the valleys then stop, don't worry because there will still be sufficient clearcoat thickness in the valleys. Reminder to let the paint harden 12 hours or more before starting out and only use ultra fine grade sandpaper to do this, as mentioned 2000 or better still 3000 grit. Then polish with medium compound scratch remover and finally fine compound paint polish before adding wax for an extra layer of protection. Good luck!
Hey mate! Have to give you feedback, this was the most PERFECT vid: how to do. There was absolute 0% of extra bs, just straight from point a to point b💪💪💪 Cheers from Finland🇫🇮, now i know how to do mine peugeot 107 with confidence😄 PS:result was brilliant☀☀
Had to do this to a few vehicles over the year. Can confirm that this is the way. I've always taken my headlights out of the vehicle though as it just seemed less of a hassle and I got a better end result.
In the city of Athens, you'll be hard pressed to find a single shop open before 10am . In fact , in a recent census, an astounding 81.6 % of the wrenching population admitted they don't even get out of bed before noon. When asked why this is, they remarkably all had the same answer... They simply replied, "Because Dawn is tough on grease" ...
i restore headlights for side job i do all the prep then i either use vapor kit or compond and polish then a 5 year ceramic coating ... i defo do want to try 2k clear coat at some point awesone video 🤙
Thank you for making this video! I am currently working on my federal signal AeroDynic fire truck light bar which the plastic has 40-50 years of weathering. So far I've wetsanded it and my next step it to clear coat it.
I've used this product. If that's what you want to use, then by all means use it. The process I explained is exactly the same no matter what spray application you may decide to use! I've had great long lasting results with normal 2k clear. Cheers
That's what I used 7yrs ago. Headlights STILL Crystal clear. Spray Max 2K clear coat headlight system 1K 368 4098 2K 368 4066 I baked in oven for for 40min at 175°. Did all the headlights & brake lights on my 3 vehicles
@@mobileterminaluzer1858 I don't see myself removing the headlights to place in the oven.. would hair dryer work, or would I need to get a cheap UV lamp?
Now I've sat and watched a fair few of headlight restoration videos in the last day or so now just about to watch yours. Hopefully I'll get an answer proper one
What is the big deal about not using "glass" for headlights anymore. I mean, are we having a sand shortage? In the 80's a burned out Sylvania was 10 $ .. I was at the Volvo dealership and a new headlight was needed for a 2023 xc90.. 2000$..? R U F'ng crazy? Or you think I am. Someone needs to come up with glass aftermarket alternatives.. for the people.
There actually is a sand shortage, it's one of the most over-harvested resources there is. Beaches everywhere are being hauled away in dump trucks to be used in concrete.
Good question they use plastic because it’s lighter than glass that’s why too much weight.that’s why that’s why they went to class and it’s cheaper to make
Great tutorial. Love the instructions very intuitive and precise delivery. The comments speak highly of your work well received. I will definitely be trying this on my Daughters vehicle. Looking forward to the seeing her sparkling headlamps and the hugs😊
Say, um... Nothing on their website suggests it blocks UV at all. Isn't that what caused the damage initially, but now, we've lost the original UV protection from the factory, no?
Yep I probably would too. Although, bear in mind, alot of headlights don't come out anymore unless you take the bumper off which isn't really DIY level.
@@cvrpov On some vehicles, there is NO telling just what all would have to be removed to get to those "PLASTIC" covers...AND THEN have to put it all back!
once installed did it have the same effect as the clear coat ie. take out milky look after sanding? This would be a great alternative to toxic spraying.
Would love to see the results after a year standing in the SUN. Wonder how it will hold up to the Suns UV rays. They usually yellow headlights in no time.
Thanks for a very instructive video. I must say it's the best out there. Factual and no bs. I'll be doing mine soon. Having watched your video, it's so simple and easy. Will done😊
Beginner question: How did it go from hazy after the 1500 grit to clear just by applying the clear coat. Dont you usally have to polish to get a clear finish and then apply the clear coat.
Good question. Let’s track back to modern paint finishes that are two stage often called clear over base. These use a base colour applied to produce a smooth but slightly Matt/dull finish. As long as the paint was applied evenly without runs, or dust embedded, a few coats of lacquer are applied over the top to produce hard glossy even finish. Often even from factory this lacquer coat can have a slight unevenness often referred to as an orange peel effect. To overcome this the lacquer coat can be refined by gently wet sanding with P2000 followed by P3000 grit wet and dry, lubricated with plenty of water. Finally to remove the haze a fine cutting compound is used with a medium to soft pad on a Random Orbital polisher to get a mirror like finish removing all the ripples in the clear coat so that light hitting the paint bounces straight back and is not refracted / bent by the clear coat. This is exactly what has been done to the plastic headlight lens in this video imagine the lens is the base coat of paint that needed refining to get flat and contaminant free, so it’s sanded in stages and left as a flat dust free finish ready for lacquer.
The 1500 Is coverable by the clearcoat. The same as grey scotch is when spraying a panel. I wouldn't advise buffing then refinishing... it won't have any key to adhere to
@@cvrpov I agree with the original poster. If you had these items laid out on the table and told us what they were, I would have preferred it. Just say'in.
At last, a comprehensive instruction video, thanks. I've been cheating for the last 4 years by giving my lens a quick spray wiith lubricating oil, duck oil , WD 40 etc, gets me through MOT's but it only lasts about a week, cheap fix in a tight spot though.
Not true I have 2004 Toyota Camry watched some UA-cam mechanics take bumper off and some just popped the sides out slipped screwdriver in and took headlight out
I have found that the inexpensive replacement headlights do not focus well and yellow quickly. I suggest keeping the OEM. I suggest 3M has a pretty good kit whether it's a hand sand or using a drill head and the they have a clear coat wipe in a packet within. The clear coat is the secret to a good job. You can do one light in around 30 minutes to 1 hour, what else are you going to do with an hour when you're 77? Tip: keep the drill head moving as I had a friend sit in one spot and melt the polycarbonate. That took a long time to correct! Then every week or 10 days you maintain and protect with a product called Plexus. You can get a few years out of your polish and protect job, even more if you have a garage to keep the vehicle in.
I’m 63 and Disabled From Surgery and Bad Health , And I Don’t Know How The Myth of People on Social Security are Rich Came About But It’s Definitely Not True , Unless You are a Few of The Elite Lucky Ones That Have Made Wise investments and Stashed Money Back Somewhere In Secret , Because any Monetary Wealth The Government Finds Out You Have it’s Automatically Removed From Any Minor Payments You Might Receive !!!! So Here I Sit Old , Broken Down , And Broke !!!!
Very well done video!! I have done the sanding but never tried the clear coat. Used Meguires headlight sealant which works well but probably not as long lasting as your solution. Thanks again!
Yep. Some will work but not when they are corroded like this. Also, you will need to get some protection on them to make sure they look good down the line
I did a 2k clear on my 2004 Lexus GS 300 headlights 4 yrs ago. They still look as good as the first day I did them. I don’t see any micro cracks or yellowing at all. Also I did not wet sand /polish the head lights after I sprayed the 2k clear coat on them. They didn’t need it. Looks like a new factory finished head light. Very pleased with the longevity of the clear coat.
Auto makers just need to go back to the old glass headlights. They were the best. Also quit integrating the turn signal lamp with the headlight. Who ever came up with this insane idea? The headlight is much more powerful in lumens than the turn signal so at night it is difficult to see the turn indication. These two lights need to be separated.
This isn't really a DIY for normal blokes. This is a professional auto mechanic going over how to clean this light, somewhat expensively. Yellow or duct protective tape, major layer of brown construction sheet paper, numerous versions of sand paper, protective gloves, 20 dollar bottle of confusing one time use 2K grenade spray, gas masks for harmful fumes, a compound paste, a buffer drill, and polish sponge/rag. Great results, but not really a DIY video, unless you are already a professional mechanic, or a person with a large fully equipped garage and advanced knowledge of auto care and maintenance.
Because it takes a few minutes of gathering the materials it's not DIY? What's confusing about masking tape, polish, and a few sheets of sandpaper? You must be pulling somebody's leg.
AMAZING end result !!!! Instead 2k clear there are a number of headlight lacquer products for poly carb. Some channels sware blind not go 2k but specific headlight clearcoat ( for poly carb plastics etc ) … I don’t know what to think. I go onto 1500 grit and then 3000 Trizact (3m) and use finish on headlight compound polish and a UV wipe. 3m. This seams fine for well over a year and they look very well maintained rather than brand new. Haven’t sprayed one yet but do intend too. I use g360 also on wool. Soft wool
THE best video on doing headlights the right way.
Thanks for watching
And it's from the U.K so the materials are available.
Love it.. No bullshit, no time wasting, just straight to the point and very informative 💯👌🏻
Always 👊🏻
@@cvrpov bardzo pomocne informacje, dziękuję ! ;)
However I don’t need to see every piece of tape being applied
@@stevenlengyel9701 correct, but you're not everybody though are you
@@stevenlengyel9701We see him apply 3 pieces of tape before the video fades to the whole lamp having been masked off.
I sure miss the old low maintenance glass headlights.
a simple idea for glass headlights...get a plastic protective covering so if a rock does hit it, the plastic cover cracks/breaks instead of the headlight (edit: an electric palm sander does wonders too)
@@daxconnell7661 In all the years I drove cars with glass headlights, I never had one break. These fancy plastic headlights are a curse. If the glass ones are still available, I may contrive to replace the plastic ones somehow.
Glass bulb $10, plastic assembly $150 ,which is cheaper to replace?
Mosquito repellent(OFF), spray on every year and wipe it off. Good enough. No skeeters? Spray last as long as you have the car.👍
I'm 70 years old and never had a glass headlight break. Even in a minor accident the metal bent but headlight was OK. Just more corporate BS finding ways to get more money from consumers.
Finally someone shows how to do headlight restoration correctly! There are dozens if not hundreds of methods on YT and elsewhere claiming to do the job easily in minutes, but the truth is, there's no shortcut that works. It takes considerable elbow grease, with several progressively finer sandpaper grits, exactly as shown here. Thanks!
Cutting compound and small china "wool" buffer attachment for drill worked for me the other day. It's good for 1 to 2 years.
How not to apply rattle can products
A very thorough hands on way to fix a common issue. Having the same problem with my van, eBay OEM headlight for £24 was the easier solution, the downside is the other headlight looks bad compared to the new!
Except he didn’t use any plastic adhesion promoter…Since it’s not direct to plastic, it’ll be peeling off in no time.
@@MIUBHI007 What use is plastic adhesion promoter when it isn't direct to plastic? I used 1k clear once. That was good for a few years. 2k would last longer. One possible problem is insurance. They might invalidate you for modding car.
No toothpaste was harmed during the making of this video. Absolutely brilliant finish and very well explained you have a new subscriber.
I've done aircraft plexiglass, and ALWAYS sand in one direction, then change 90 degrees with next grit, rinse, repeat. This way, you can easily make sure you've removed all scatches from previous grit; otherwise, you may be trying to remove 600 scratches with 1000 grit, etc. Aircraft windshields are large, and of course, if you screw one up you're out of busine$$.
Don't doubt it mate... although I think as long as you sand thoroughly and keep your process uniform... you will achieve the desired results. Obviously I've sped up the sanding process as it's boring to watch.
Whatever works for you, but I reckon your on your own.
Aircrafts do not have old Nissan Micras headlights, you are comparing two completely different processes for two completely different objects and saying one is better that the other. They are NOT comparative, full stop.
I would disagree. It’s the process of wet sanding that’s in question. I’ve worked in high-end bodyshop and I have never come across any piece of profession equipment or member of staff who sands in straight lines, regardless of the surface being prepared. Anyway, it obviously works for you so we will have to agree to disagree.
That’s rubbish, it’s the grade and quality of sanding that produces the end product. As I said you are comparing an aircraft to a Micra.
Finally a propper realistic video presentation by someone with knowledge and experience instead of a typical UA-camr "influencer" who's only just discovered which way up to hold a spray can....lol 😮😂
Amen brother.
Utterly Amazing! There should be a Nobel prize for what you do!
Ive done this to my 1967 Pontiac and it looks freakjng amazjng....oh wait, no i didnt because its got the original glass headlights that still look new.
awesome!
No booming music
No shouting
Only important information
Exactly what I was looking for.
Subscribed
I often wondered if they were sealed from the factory. In recent years the likes of Maguire’s have included an aerosol sealer in their headlight restoration kits. Using 2K lacquer makes complete sense. I saw the top comment about micro cracks etc. At the end of the day this should last a couple of years. When it finally degrades machine sand it off with some 800 and start again. I am so glad I found your channel, a few years ago now. I have used your methods and saved hundreds of pounds improving paint jobs on my cars and repairing scratches etc. Thanks Mr CRV POV, your a legend!
I have found 2k clear is the best and lasts the longest. Everyone has their preference though
I've been doing that for 6 years. The UV filter coating appears to be industrial use only.
you're a legend
2004 Corsa. For MoT I buff the yellowed lenses with Brasso and Vim kitchen scouring powder. Finish with Turtle Wax headlamp uv protector. Been doing this twelve years.
Cutting polish works too
A proper job. And no unnecessary build up waffle. A true professional.
your right, best set of intructions ever.
congrats on your stupid comment, dont do this unless you want to buy new housings after 6 months.
This is the best damn video on how to renovate lenses ever! Thank you!
I've done this for decades, doesn't take long, and lasts. ez money maker. Personally i go in one direction per grit, helps for precise details and removing each grits lines. Nice job man
one thing they teach you in any automotive setting is you never go in strait lines unless you want giant gouges in your substrate to work with. good to know youve been doing it wrong for decades.
@@nopes1776 look up wet v dry sanding :)
@@nopes1776you again?! my friend owns a body shop and sometimes restores valuable old cars and he instructs all his trainees to go in one direction per grit only (you start off perpendicular to the wind flow, if applicable.) he has eagle eyes and knows every little detail there is to know on a microscopic level about paint. so, the comment you replied to did everything right!
@@nopes1776this one's gone too? I'm not getting it why I can't comment anymore.
--
you again?! my friend owns a body shop and sometimes restores valuable old cars and he instructs all his trainees to go in one direction per grit only (you start off perpendicular to the wind flow, if applicable.) he has eagle eyes and knows every little detail there is to know on a microscopic level about paint. so, the comment you replied to did everything right!
Great job! I am a coatings and resin specialist and worked for PPG. You did this the right way. The only thing I would suggest is not call the 2k clear "lacquer". In USA that is a "non catalyzed thermo plastic". What you are using is a "Thermo-set" product. It just confuses some people. Thank you for the great video!
Hi, what product would you use instead?
Immaculate as always.
People comment about sanding directions, if you are unexperienced then yes, it's easier to see if you removed scratches from previous stage. But this dude has a miles and miles in his hands and can sand with his eyes closed.
Thanks for the clear video as always, cheers!
Great job !!! I did the same on my 2004 Lexus GS 300 4 yrs ago. They still look as good as the first day I did them. My car is garage kept also. Only difference in my process is I didn’t wet sand or polish my clear coat after spraying. I sprayed a total of 3 even coats of 2k clear. Looked great so that’s why I didn’t wet sand and polish them.
Nice video you did , to the point 👍
Good stuff mate glad you liked it
The 3M kit works awesome for 25$ and 1/4 of the work. Comes with drill bit polishing pad and compound instead of spraying top coat. Has all the sandpaper and they stick onto the drill bit wheel too. Did my Benz and Volvo 4-5 years ago and still looks new. For the price and the amount of work required, it’s hard to beat .
But the spray is UV protectant and will make the lens last a lot longer before needing work again.
Thank you fir sharing
@@FlyMeAirplane 2k spray is a must if u leave car in sunlight. normal spray last max 1-2 years then turns yellow. 2k last at least 4 years (notingh last in direct sunlight.... nothing)
the 3M kit is not even remotely as good as this.
but it only lasts a year.
I'm gonna have to try this and hope it works for me like it did for you in this video , I'm 67 years young and will try anything at least once to see if it works . Thanks for this video Sir ❤💯👵🏽🙏🏽
I did this same thing to my Scion xB about 6 years ago and the headlights are still clear. I used Krylon clear coat with UV protection, UV is the key to keeping the headlights from going yellow sooner than later.
Ok mate nice one
This is absolutely the best video I've ever seen on this subject. Thank you Sir.
Glad it was helpful!
Good tip about warming the can, especially during the winter, I usually stand it on the hall radiator for 15 minutes before shaking again and using. Lovely finish buddy 👍😁
No probs
Houston....we don't have this problem. 😅
@@tjjoseph333 don’t try moving to the U.K. then Joe, you’ll probably die from exposure. (We’re in mid summer now and it’s bloody wet and freezing!) ☹️👎
Lol a guy at the dragstrip years ago put a can of silicone they were using for something on the top of the timing shack heater. It ended up blasting right through the roof. Don’t call em bomb cans for nothing
Very informative video with zero BS. Thanks mate! Subscribed ❤
Zero bs comment..cheers 👊🏻
On my old Mondeo the head lights come completely off . Saves me time from the masking. With this tutorial I found out what I was doing wrong at the end stage all these years. Thanks Mate .
I did the same thing with my Chrysler T&C. Remove, refub, replace.
Very nice approach & process to beautifying a vehicle's headlamps! Thanks for the video mate.
No problem 👍
I had been looking for videos on how to get my 08 civic si trunk open with the rear seats up. So many people saying use a prybar and broomstick to reach the emergency latch but you cant when your trunk is full of crap! But after eatching this i simply put my key into the slot next to the trunk popper and it allowed me to fully pull that lever up and the trunk opened. Saved me a headache. Thanks
Wow what a difference. I’ve been needing to do my headlights for ages and now I know how to achieve a lasting finish. Very informative video 👌🏼
well done mate,you have a God given talent and you are very well spoken. Bravisimo
I like the last bit. That makes it look absolutely brand new! Thanks for sharing!
I really appreciate the pragmatic, down to earth, DIY friendly unpretentious approach. Nice one mate.
Glad you liked it
Great video , shows all the stages , good end result too. Thanks for posting.
Finally a proper video on how to restore your headlight ....... excellent.... I'll follow this for my car ...
Nice one
Good video mate. Like you i have been doing Head Light repairs for years now. I use Meguiars Head Light Coating. After using many products over the years i find this is best. I do not use 2k products on head light... Have a great day...from Kiwi
Greetings
That’s what I use brother
I can attest to Meguiars working great. But I suspect if you've done all the prep work beforehand properly, the coating step is the easy part, and several different products will do the job well enough.
Good video how to keep clear longer! Reminds me of working with my grandad in the garage doing auto body. I sure miss our time together.
Thanks for this. I’ve looked at several videos on how to do this job, and this one is definitely the best!
Nice one
Super helpful showing each step. Because for one never having done this, putting sandpaper to headlight covers is a scary deal!
Yes... but now you have seen the process
I have watched several of your videos and I must say you do fantastic work! Thanks for the info!
Glad you like them!
Looks absolutely amazing, mate . I'm not sure why I'm surprised as all the work you do looks great .
Thanks for watching mate
Just found your channel. What I like is you don’t cut corners but it’s stuff we can all do properly 👍🏻
Looks good 👍
hope everybody's doing well through the depression of the twenties the hyperinflation the pandemics and the wars
and the Muslim invasion of our lands
That Pro2k is fantastic stuff.
I've been in aurora recon for 27 years and Pro2k as well as other 3m machine worx are top notch
I thought it looked good with the Pro2kClear because that was great clarity. Will work well on scale model cars. But when you polished it, I could see the reflection on the surface, a white rectangle...that made me see the true benefit.
Top work!
Watched this on the living room TV.... when done, ran to the computer to subscribe. Well done. (And NO, I do not know how to subscribe with the TV remote lol )
Haha love that mate
Nice video, the exact same method I used on my 2008 VW Golf. I had used ordinary 1k paint previously but that only lasted a few months as the clearcoat itself started to yellow. So I repeated the process with 2k paint and 2 years on my headlights still look like new. Just like to add that you can be fairly agressive with 2000 or 3000 grit sandpaper sand down 100% all the orange peel before polishing and wax. The 2k coat is essentially the same as the clearcoat on your car paint so you can polish and wax it the exact same way as you would car body paint.
Good stuff I have had similar results to what you describe
Would you sand your car? Seems counter intuitive to sand clear coat.
@@JillofAllTrades2 Professional painters do it all the time to smooth down orange peel on freshly painted cars. Orange peel is basically hills and valleys in the clearcoat layer and the trick is to 'erode' the hills so that they are smooth and level with the valleys. When you begin sanding you will see the hills getting sanded but valleys clear and untouched. Keep on sanding until you reach the valleys then stop, don't worry because there will still be sufficient clearcoat thickness in the valleys. Reminder to let the paint harden 12 hours or more before starting out and only use ultra fine grade sandpaper to do this, as mentioned 2000 or better still 3000 grit. Then polish with medium compound scratch remover and finally fine compound paint polish before adding wax for an extra layer of protection. Good luck!
Great job! Nothing better than restoring things yourself!
You got that right!
Hey mate! Have to give you feedback, this was the most PERFECT vid: how to do. There was absolute 0% of extra bs, just straight from point a to point b💪💪💪 Cheers from Finland🇫🇮, now i know how to do mine peugeot 107 with confidence😄 PS:result was brilliant☀☀
Awesome, glad you liked it, cheers
This is the best method I have seen on UA-cam, thank you!
Absolutely spot on I did pretty much the same thing a few years ago only using Poundland lacquer 🤩 an it’s still looking pretty good today 😎😎😎😎
Nice one mate
Pound land is the brand? Type of lacquer?
That 2k must have a polyurethane type carrier and UV protection chemical. I don’t get why he used heat gun.
Excellent tutorial, thank you! Cheers from Ontario Canada!
Glad it was helpful!
Had to do this to a few vehicles over the year. Can confirm that this is the way. I've always taken my headlights out of the vehicle though as it just seemed less of a hassle and I got a better end result.
Congratulations.. regards from Athens Greece 😊
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When asked why this is, they remarkably all had the same answer...
They simply replied, "Because Dawn is tough on grease" ...
BaDump Bah !
Amazing Job Bro! I shared it to everyone I got. Good job and good luck!
Much appreciated!
i restore headlights for side job i do all the prep then i either use vapor kit or compond and polish then a 5 year ceramic coating ... i defo do want to try 2k clear coat at some point awesone video 🤙
It's not all about the best job, take care of your health. 2k is dangerous.
Yes mate go for it
Hi, What ceramic coating are you currently using? TIA
Well done thanks mate, crisp clear tutorial no yap yap yap. It’s a job I did’t feel confident about but now I no worries.
Regards from NZ........Rob
No substitute for good work. Looks like new and really helps the car look better.
Thanks 👍
Thank you for making this video! I am currently working on my federal signal AeroDynic fire truck light bar which the plastic has 40-50 years of weathering. So far I've wetsanded it and my next step it to clear coat it.
Ottimo lavoro sia professionale che didattico.
Angelo - Pisa - Italy
Greetings to Italy
This by far, is the best video I've seen for headlight restoration. Definitely got a sub and I'm looking forward to more D.I.Y goodness.
Spraymax makes a dedicated headlight coating called 2K 2in1 Headlight Clear
I've used this product. If that's what you want to use, then by all means use it. The process I explained is exactly the same no matter what spray application you may decide to use! I've had great long lasting results with normal 2k clear. Cheers
Can the Spraymax be heat cured or only UV? Asking for a home DIY! Thanks.
That's what I used 7yrs ago. Headlights STILL Crystal clear. Spray Max 2K clear coat headlight system
1K 368 4098
2K 368 4066
I baked in oven for for 40min at 175°. Did all the headlights & brake lights on my 3 vehicles
@HoomanR17 you can bake in kitchen oven 30min at 175°. Use a large cardboard. Don't want to get hot metal rack on headlights.
@@mobileterminaluzer1858 I don't see myself removing the headlights to place in the oven.. would hair dryer work, or would I need to get a cheap UV lamp?
Now I've sat and watched a fair few of headlight restoration videos in the last day or so now just about to watch yours. Hopefully I'll get an answer proper one
This one is the only one you will need
What is the big deal about not using "glass" for headlights anymore. I mean, are we having a sand shortage? In the 80's a burned out Sylvania was 10 $ .. I was at the Volvo dealership and a new headlight was needed for a 2023 xc90.. 2000$..? R U F'ng crazy? Or you think I am. Someone needs to come up with glass aftermarket alternatives.. for the people.
There actually is a sand shortage, it's one of the most over-harvested resources there is. Beaches everywhere are being hauled away in dump trucks to be used in concrete.
They make everything cheap everything is plastic. Crap!!!¡!!
Auto companies use plastic because it’s cheaper for them, lighter to transport as parts, and they can claim it helps make the car more fuel efficient
Good question they use plastic because it’s lighter than glass that’s why too much weight.that’s why that’s why they went to class and it’s cheaper to make
Cheaper, lighter, easier to manufacturer, durable, resistant to breakage compared to glass!
Great tutorial. Love the instructions very intuitive and precise delivery. The comments speak highly of your work well received. I will definitely be trying this on my Daughters vehicle. Looking forward to the seeing her sparkling headlamps and the hugs😊
WOW! Awesome job!!!
Thanks
Bloody brilliant mate.Tremendous job!👍🏻
Say, um... Nothing on their website suggests it blocks UV at all. Isn't that what caused the damage initially, but now, we've lost the original UV protection from the factory, no?
So glad I found your channel. Your tips are Gold mate. Thank you
Thanks for watching
I find it easier to remove the headlight. No masking or chance of overspray on the car. 45 years in the panel Industry here in Oz. Good job though
Yep I probably would too. Although, bear in mind, alot of headlights don't come out anymore unless you take the bumper off which isn't really DIY level.
@@cvrpov On some vehicles, there is NO telling just what all would have to be removed to get to those "PLASTIC" covers...AND THEN have to put it all back!
I love it when the pros chime in. This is the way to do it. Lots of great little tips along the way too. Liked and subscribed.
Texas here. I elected to NOT use that 2k due to the excessive heat in the summer. I used a 3m PPF.
Ok
once installed did it have the same effect as the clear coat ie. take out milky look after sanding? This would be a great alternative to toxic spraying.
@@Rubicon1 absolutely,yes. I also have a channel and I did the PPF technique on my 911s.
Sorry what is PPF
@@mrkoolio4475 PPF = paint protection film. Google has more in-depth info to explore. 🙂
I've never been so happy, whatsoever, with any video ever!
Would love to see the results after a year standing in the SUN. Wonder how it will hold up to the Suns UV rays. They usually yellow headlights in no time.
Seems to hold up pretty well
@@cvrpov"seems to hold up PRETTY well?" Doesn't the thumbnail of the video say permanent or was that just a lie to get clicks?
Awesome video. One of the best ones I've seen on the topic. Thank you for taking the time to make and share. 😊
75 year old glass headlights are superior to the headlights on ANY new car.
Cool story
Thanks for a very instructive video. I must say it's the best out there. Factual and no bs. I'll be doing mine soon. Having watched your video, it's so simple and easy.
Will done😊
Appreciate the feedback mate thanks
Beginner question: How did it go from hazy after the 1500 grit to clear just by applying the clear coat. Dont you usally have to polish to get a clear finish and then apply the clear coat.
Good question. Let’s track back to modern paint finishes that are two stage often called clear over base. These use a base colour applied to produce a smooth but slightly Matt/dull finish. As long as the paint was applied evenly without runs, or dust embedded, a few coats of lacquer are applied over the top to produce hard glossy even finish. Often even from factory this lacquer coat can have a slight unevenness often referred to as an orange peel effect. To overcome this the lacquer coat can be refined by gently wet sanding with P2000 followed by P3000 grit wet and dry, lubricated with plenty of water. Finally to remove the haze a fine cutting compound is used with a medium to soft pad on a Random Orbital polisher to get a mirror like finish removing all the ripples in the clear coat so that light hitting the paint bounces straight back and is not refracted / bent by the clear coat. This is exactly what has been done to the plastic headlight lens in this video imagine the lens is the base coat of paint that needed refining to get flat and contaminant free, so it’s sanded in stages and left as a flat dust free finish ready for lacquer.
@@runningon-dinosaurs1569 Makes sense. Thank you for explaining. 👍
The 1500 Is coverable by the clearcoat. The same as grey scotch is when spraying a panel. I wouldn't advise buffing then refinishing... it won't have any key to adhere to
@@cvrpov Gotcha. 👍
I have several lights I need to do over. Great video thanks
i wish these videos would start off by saying, "Ok, here is what you are going to need"
People would probably turn off 😅 its hard to keep their attention
@@cvrpov I agree with the original poster. If you had these items laid out on the table and told us what they were, I would have preferred it.
Just say'in.
Appreciate you taking the time to show this
17:28 you forgot to edit in how it looked before. Think it needs a re upload, was a fantastic video apart from that😎
I'll keep this upload but yes that might of been a good idea
@@cvrpovAnd it’s what you said you would do. There’s that.
At last, a comprehensive instruction video, thanks. I've been cheating for the last 4 years by giving my lens a quick spray wiith lubricating oil, duck oil , WD 40 etc, gets me through MOT's but it only lasts about a week, cheap fix in a tight spot though.
I'm 77, I think I'll just buy new headlights.
Many headlights these days are £1k+. Also many headlights now require the bumper to be fully removed before changing them.
Just buy a new car 😂
Not true I have 2004 Toyota Camry watched some UA-cam mechanics take bumper off and some just popped the sides out slipped screwdriver in and took headlight out
I have found that the inexpensive replacement headlights do not focus well and yellow quickly. I suggest keeping the OEM. I suggest 3M has a pretty good kit whether it's a hand sand or using a drill head and the they have a clear coat wipe in a packet within. The clear coat is the secret to a good job. You can do one light in around 30 minutes to 1 hour, what else are you going to do with an hour when you're 77? Tip: keep the drill head moving as I had a friend sit in one spot and melt the polycarbonate. That took a long time to correct! Then every week or 10 days you maintain and protect with a product called Plexus. You can get a few years out of your polish and protect job, even more if you have a garage to keep the vehicle in.
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Very well done video!! I have done the sanding but never tried the clear coat. Used Meguires headlight sealant which works well but probably not as long lasting as your solution. Thanks again!
I did mine with Tcut and used a buffer they came up like new
Yep. Some will work but not when they are corroded like this. Also, you will need to get some protection on them to make sure they look good down the line
Great video! Clear and concise. Gives me the confidence to do mine. Thank you! 👏 😊
Can you use any 2k clear? I'm asking because I have seen videos saying that 2k clear doesn't adhere long-term on headlights.
I've had great long term results with it
I noticed he left the headlights rough, most other tutorials they sand it all the way to glass then do a 2k. Maybe that sanding makes it fail to bond.
Missed the before and after or split screen. Very nice work
Anyone tried these 2k clears..? How long do they ACTUALLY last? 🤔🤔
I did a 2k clear on my 2004 Lexus GS 300 headlights 4 yrs ago.
They still look as good as the first day I did them.
I don’t see any micro cracks or yellowing at all. Also I did not wet sand /polish the head lights after I sprayed the 2k clear coat on them. They didn’t need it. Looks like a new factory finished head light. Very pleased with the longevity of the clear coat.
@@mattspontiacta thanks
I've had good long lasting results from this method
Learned several new things from this. TY great video.
Nice one pal
I guess that auto shops dislike Your vids! All that money that they don't get to charge! They should have left the headlights alone with GLASS!
Auto repair shops don't like me full stop
It's all about weight savings: glass weighs more than most plastic headlight fixtures and less weight equals more fuel economy.
@@mikkej2k I will take the durability over the cloudy headlights. Fuel economy has doubts when you can't see the roads at night.
I think to use all of the spray can, sand , prep both lights. Great video
When you paint
Don't get over zealous, too much paint = runs. Then ya have to start over.
@@bradleybbb True A few thin coats is better than one heavy coat. Even in winter.
Yep 👍🏻 cheers
Auto makers just need to go back to the old glass headlights. They were the best. Also quit integrating the turn signal lamp with the headlight. Who ever came up with this insane idea? The headlight is much more powerful in lumens than the turn signal so at night it is difficult to see the turn indication. These two lights need to be separated.
Great job, I'll be refurbing the headlights on my wives car based on your video very soon.
What kind of degreaser is this?
Alcohol?
Panel wipe from www.paintgear.co.uk
That was totally awesome. They look brand new.
Or just clean the lens, rough it with 800/1000 grit paper, take a brush with polyurethane and put a coat on.
Prefer this way
Quality job nice to see a professional 👏
This isn't really a DIY for normal blokes. This is a professional auto mechanic going over how to clean this light, somewhat expensively. Yellow or duct protective tape, major layer of brown construction sheet paper, numerous versions of sand paper, protective gloves, 20 dollar bottle of confusing one time use 2K grenade spray, gas masks for harmful fumes, a compound paste, a buffer drill, and polish sponge/rag. Great results, but not really a DIY video, unless you are already a professional mechanic, or a person with a large fully equipped garage and advanced knowledge of auto care and maintenance.
Because it takes a few minutes of gathering the materials it's not DIY? What's confusing about masking tape, polish, and a few sheets of sandpaper? You must be pulling somebody's leg.
AMAZING end result !!!! Instead 2k clear there are a number of headlight lacquer products for poly carb. Some channels sware blind not go 2k but specific headlight clearcoat ( for poly carb plastics etc ) … I don’t know what to think. I go onto 1500 grit and then 3000 Trizact (3m) and use finish on headlight compound polish and a UV wipe. 3m. This seams fine for well over a year and they look very well maintained rather than brand new. Haven’t sprayed one yet but do intend too. I use g360 also on wool. Soft wool
I like 2k coating them personally
Hello 👋🏻. Very well done, mate!! Thank you for the quick introduction 👏 you dure got a 👍 from me.
Thanks for watching
kids dont duct tape your car.
I've used duct tape on many occasions