any reason to polish brand new headights?

[timaishu]

I just now finished installing replacement headlights on my Altima. I ended getting aftermarket (tyc) as OEM is way to expensive. Anyways after wiping them down with ONR, I noticed that the surface isn't perfect (autogeek eyes activate!). Just has some very light marring that look kind of light very light swirl marks. Hardly noticeable though.

My plan is to opticoat them. I would love to use opti lense, but I am not about to pay 50 bucks for a one time application.

Would it be foolish to polish them to try to "improve" the surface? My thinking is why on earth would I want to wear away some of the coating on a brand new light by polishing.

Think I should just opticoat them and be done with it?

Here are some before and afters..
http://i.imgur.com/L6wx5K4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5jt95vE.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/T48Ucuy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aT4WbRZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/B9cNCw1.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/kFw4oyD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7wDxJOX.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XkQHJ7Y.jpg

[timaishu]

Okay I take back what I said about not being noticeable. Now that the sun has gone down some, there is definite swirling all over.

To polish or not to polish, that is the question..

[spiralout462]

From my understanding the consumer size of Opti-Lens is enough to do several sets of headlights. If that is the route you go I would probably follow their recomendations.

[CM8 6MT]

Okay I take back what I said about not being noticeable. Now that the sun has gone down some, there is definite swirling all over.



To polish or not to polish, that is the question..


Polish them with a fine polish and a 4" pad. Depending on how severe they are, you might need to upgrade to a compound. Once your done, optilens them. You'll never have your lights dull or fade again.

[timaishu]

Polish them with a fine polish and a 4" pad. Depending on how severe they are, you might need to upgrade to a compound. Once your done, optilens them. You'll never have your lights dull or fade again.

All I have is opti-coat. Im just finding it hard to fork over 50 dollars to just coat them once. I wish they sold single use sizes.


From my understanding the consumer size of Opti-Lens is enough to do several sets of headlights. If that is the route you go I would probably follow their recomendations.

I know it can be used multiple times. What I meant is "I" will only use it one time. Then the product will sit on my shelf for eternity until I get a new car.

[blkSRT]

A light polish won't hurt. Curious though why wouldn't you try to restore the originals?

As for the TYC lights I would suggest sealing them with clear silicone to prevent moisture.

[timaishu]

A light polish won't hurt. Curious though why wouldn't you try to restore the originals?

As for the TYC lights I would suggest sealing them with clear silicone to prevent moisture.

The super duper dull one has been restored by me several time.

I had polished it many many times before until when I tried for something more permanent and did the spar method some time a year or two ago and it lasted only a few months before wearing off. I then repolished and it again. It failed. I repolished and opti-coated, that failed too. I think the plastic itself was ruined somehow by overpolishing/sanding the crap out of it and nothing could fix it at this point.

I considered replacing that one light as the other had never been polished/repaired before. But I didn't want to deal with one failing randomly at some point. Figured what the hell so I replaced them both for 90 bucks.

You think I should? I mean, it did already come with grey sealant that went all the way around.

[MarkD51]

Just do them lightly with Meg's 205 by hand. Why would anybody want to go crazy with buffing pads, DA's, etc etc on a brand new set of Lights?

I did the same, replaced every light housing on my 97 Tahoe.

But the lights you had on board didn't look that bad to me. I'm thinking they could've been brought back.

Gentle light handed polish, and yes, seal with a highly durable coating.

[spiralout462]

I know it can be used multiple times. What I meant is "I" will only use it one time. Then the product will sit on my shelf for eternity until I get a new car.


Gotcha. I'm in the same boat. I would have already purchased if it was one or two applications. I could use it on every car in my extended family but that sounds like a lot of work I don't have time for.

[BeachZone]

Could've forked over the $50 for Opti-Lens, restored them one last and final time, then coated! Could've saved yourself $40 on the new pair, then sold or traded for something on here! I know it's a little too late now, but oh well, the news lens' look great. :Cheers:

-Beach

[blkSRT]

As for sealing the light it's cheap, easy insurance. TYC quality is usually hit or miss as far as the seal.

[The Guz]

X-pel is another alternative.