Restoring The NOTORIOUS Silverado Headlights | 2015 Chevy Silverado Headlight Restoration
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- Опубліковано 3 кві 2023
- Hello everyone! In this video I am restoring headlights on a 2015 Chevy Silverado. These are in my top 5 most tedious and time consuming headlights to restore. Between the severe oxidation, and prep time, they can easily take me up to an hour to restore. The most ironic part is that the 2013 and older Chevy Silverado's are in my Top 5 easiest headlights to restore.
I did explain to the customer that these don't always come out very well, since there are creases and crevice I cant reach, as well as microcracking in the lens. I told him they'd look much better but not perfect. These lights have crease where excessive amounts of oxidation can build up, as well as spots under the turn signals that I'm not able to sand. He said he was going to replace them, but was quoted $1300. I assume he went to the dealer for that quote. Overall, he was super happy with the results, and surprised I was able to get them as clear as I did.
After inspecting the lens, it was clear the oxidation was pretty severe, so the best grit for me to start at was 320. I wet sanded until enough of the oxidation was removed, then finished with the 600 grit before applying the clear coat.
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What clear coat do you use?
Thanks for the video! Great tutorial!
Hi Cervelo! Thanks! Its NextGen Headlight Solutions clear coat.
Hey Brad,
I have to restore some headlights like these, a 2014 Chevy Silverado, this weekend and I will be using the next gen clear coat like the one in your videos. My question is, about how long do I have to wait to to apply the clear coat after I clean the surface with alcohol? The last vehicle I did one of the headlights came out a little blurry and milky on one corner. Not sure if it was because I did the job at night and then used UV, not getting enough sun, or because I applied the clear coat only about 3 minutes after cleaning surface with alcohol..
Hi Sam! I hope you get rested up, because these are the most difficult headlights to restore, infact, these are the only lights we have added a premium price on. Wait long enough for the alcohol to dry, which shouldnt take more than maybe a minute. To speed up the dry time, hit it with the blower to make sure. Also, don't forget to blow out all the excess water trapped in the trim pieces, like at 2:15 there is always a lot of water trapped, and if you spray the clear coat without getting all of it out before hand, the pressure from the spray will blast it into the freshly coated lens. Blurry or milky can be a result of not sanding with the 600 long enough. These lights take a good amount of sanding with the 600 to really get the surface ready for the lens. Remember, this method is 90% prep, %10 spray.
Another note, spray lightly on the corners. With these lights, the spray will build up on the edges and cause a big drip.
@@StartRestoringHeadlights Very well explained! Thanks for the tips! I’m confident enough to knock out this job and make the customer happy with the results!
@@thesammann6530 You can do it brother!
How do you know when you need to change grit and or when to stop sanding
Hi Donald! When wet sanding and spraying at the same time, I can see how much oxidaiton is left, and when I get to the bare headlight. Once the oxidation is removed, I move on to the next grit. When finishing with the 600grit, the water will behind to repel. I can also feel and hear whent he sandpaper is at its smoothest point with the 600.
Does the clear coating prevent the oxidation from coming back?
Hello Ariana, Yes it does, as long as its applied correctly.
Which brand of Sand paper. You using ?
We use Klingspor silicon carbide wet/dry sandpaper
After sanding and before applying clear coat it’s still pretty cloudy looking. Is that normal or keep sanding??
Yes, we stop sanding at 600. The clear coat has filling properties.
Are you just spraying water? Or did you mix anything with it?
Just regular water. Keeps the sandpaper clean so it gets full contact, and also allows me to see my results in real time.
Nice! 320/400/600? How do you change for split headlights or big headlight like this?
Hi Wyatt! 320/600. Same price, $89.99. He tipped pretty well too. Some I can finish in 20 minutes, ones like these roughly 45 minutes to an hour, so regardless $100 an hour isn't bad, especially when we are doing multiple in 1day.
@@StartRestoringHeadlights same prrice??????????? I get 250 for those.
@@bobsgarageFL Ha! I know I know, we plan on raising the price later this year. I mentioned not long ago we have a lot of marketing material out there displaying $89.99, so once its feasible, well raise the price.
Why did you start with the 320 on this one
What does it mean when the clear coat dries and has a bunch of cracks in it?
Cracks? You'd have to email me a picture so I can see what you mean.
Sorry but another question . Almost every headlight restoration kit has you go up to a 3,000 grit then you wipe on (Cerokote, 3M) or spray on ( Meguiars) there final coat but you stop at 600 so do you think it’s a over kill and waste of energy to go that high in grit ?
Hi Tom! No, not overkill. Most clear coats are layed on top of the surface of the lens, where as ours acts as a filler that fills the cracks made with the 600 grit. This gives the clear something to grip, as well as adding a thicker barrier of protection adding a much longer life span.
Many speculate this isn't a proper restoration, or its doing a disservice to the customer, when they know nothing about the product, never used it, or aren't even in the business. Don't apologize for asking questions, please ask as many as you'd like, because odds are, someone on here is thinking the same question! 😁
@@StartRestoringHeadlights good info thank you
@@nictex100 Hi Nictex, the clear coat you used more than likely doesn't have filling properties like ours.
@@nictex100 It depends on which clear coat you are using. If you are using a Meguiars, Yes, you must polish the lens and get it to the best possible clarity you can. If you are using our clear coat, all you need to sand to is the 600 grit.
I have a question why don’t you dry sand with your 1st step then wet sand with the following steps? Dry sanding is faster and easier to see what still needs to be sanded or maybe I’m completely wrong ?
From what I’ve learned, dry sanding clogs up the sand. Interested to hear his response.
Hi Tom, I will politely disagree, and I'll explain. Keep in mind, I used to do the old method of dry sanding with 10 different grits, buff polish etc.
1 dry sanding is much messier, and its easy to inhale if you don't have a respirator. Doesn't matter what RPM you are at, it can get pretty dusty all over the place
2 Wet sanding can help prevent damage to the surface being sanded, because the water helps to lubricate the sandpaper and reduce the risk of scratching or gouging the surface.
3 The water used during wet sanding helps to flush away the debris that can accumulate on the sandpaper and the lens, which can help extend the life of the sandpaper and make the sanding process more efficient.
Also, as I spray, I can see where I need to sand more, since the water cleans the lens, where dry sanding does not
@@StartRestoringHeadlights ok sounds logical to me thank you
Nice job buddy..
@@grandmastert01 You're welcome!
What do I do if spray too much clear coat?
Immediately dab with a lint free towel very very lightly. Once you removed enough, spray a very small amount on the area to fill the marks you made from the towel. I can't stress enough to be very diligent when spot fixing
Mine are cracked all the way through, can I still fix them?
Possibly, it depends on if you can get the crack exposed.
Will this work on 2016 headlights?
Yes! However, for these its all about prepping. You have to remove all the cracking, and oxidation before applying, but yes, it will work.
@@StartRestoringHeadlightsone more question I did this and accidentally over sprayed. Can the excess be sanded off or do I have to start from scratch?
What if its inside the headlights not outside?
For these, we've never had hazing on the inside, but if there is, theres nothing you can do unfortunately.