Plastic head light protection ?

[julian]

Long time no post dude needing a bit a of a recommendation on how to preserve those clear plastic housings over my head lights and tail lenses.
What's the secret to keeping new besides buying another set in 6 years?
I still have my old now yellow rumble bee, and just bought a new set of h/l for it, and just bought a new Acura for the better half. These housings sure take a beating down here.
I still lurk around here, just do the reading part, not so much the posting part.

[DaveT435]

Opti lens

[davidc]

3 choices, one is Opti lens as stated, second is clean them up with sanding, buffing etc. then spray with clear coat ( probably the most permanent fix). Third is buffing ( maybe sanding depending on severity) and sealing with a good sealant. The third will probably require re-buffing every 3 months.

Dave

[builthatch]

Opti lens

[The Guz]

If the lenses are in good shape then just use a headlight protectant of some sort.

[Hermes1]

Aerospace 303

[Mantilgh]

Depends on how much you want to spend.

Prices would relate to the durability that davidc posted. More you spend, the more durability you get.

Might think something like a 2k clear would be excessive for new lights, unless you are in an area where they are getting sandblasted regularly.

Opti lens should be a good choice for added UV protection.

If you wax your car and headlights often and use a gentle cleaning technique on then, they should last a bit longer.

The gentlest way that I have heard of (from reading Mike Phillips articles) to clean bugs (bird poo too) from the headlights and hood, grill, bumper, is to soak a large towel with water. I would use warm water. Maybe hit area with a hose first. Lay the towel over the front of the hood and lights, and let soak while you get ready and do the wheels. Then wash as normal.

[julian]

Opti lens - Is that a type of wax?, I'll check this product out in the store. I do have Aerospace 303 and have been using it also. If the Optilens is a better product, it might be worth it to buy it.
I've done my share of sanding with 4 of grades of wet paper. then putting the rotary on them. Since they are new now, they should be easy to keep up. Driving on the highway here in Fla. does stir up the sand on the roads, it does sand blast them and the windshield after a while. Thanks for the replies!

[The Guz]

Opti-Lens if you have to repair them. It's a permanent coating that replaces the original coating that has been sanded off.

Optimum Opti-Lens Permanent Headlight Coating, headlight coatings protectants

If your lenses are new you can use any synthetic wax. If you are looking for something locally that is dedicated to headlights then you can pick this up from Meguiar's. Regular applications of this and plastx work well.

Meguiars Headlight Protectant, plastic protectant, plastic sealer

It is recommended to apply it every 6-8 weeks.

You also have this protectant

Detailer’s Headlight Protectant Spray

Or the entire kit just to have it

Detailer’s Total Headlight Restoration Kit, how to restore headlights

[Mantilgh]

I think Opti lens would be good for new and old.

Another option is the protective films like clear bra but for headlights. It is probably priced between Otpi lens and a real clear coat depending on whether you have it installed or DIY.

I have read that these can work well and wouldn't chip like the clear eventually would and when it fails, would be easier to remove.

Should be able polish, wax, or maybe seal? as needed. Some headlight kits are a thicker film I believe or some brands may be thicker than others.

Might be hard to do it yourself if you have headlights that are not reasonably flat.

There are also new rubberized spray type clear films but I doubt they would last to long.