Understanding headlamp repair

[A.P.A.D.]

great writeup but im confused a bit

- after the final sanding you sprayed the UV protecant on it, what did you do to make it clear again? Was the 1500 sanding job enough to do that?

I had the same question as above...

also, what do u do if you dont have an airbrush?

[C. Charles Hahn]

great writeup but im confused a bit

- after the final sanding you sprayed the UV protecant on it, what did you do to make it clear again? Was the 1500 sanding job enough to do that?

Any time you're spraying a paint or sealer like this the surface you're spraying onto needs a bit of "tooth" to provide mechanical adhesion of the coating to the substrate.

Leaving 1500 grit scratches on the lens surface provides adequate tooth in this case and when the sealer/paint is applied it fills in these scratches, automatically restoring clarity as the new film-build self levels and cures on the lens surface.

[Lasthope05]

great writeup but im confused a bit

- after the final sanding you sprayed the UV protecant on it, what did you do to make it clear again? Was the 1500 sanding job enough to do that?

No, the UV coating is clear coat paint that cures in only a few minutes with UV light. When you spray clearcoat on the sanded lenses the clear fills in those light scratches and makes they clear and glossy making them look brand new. It needs to be sanded because the paint need something to bite onto. Otherwise it could just peel off in coming months.

I had the same question as above...

also, what do u do if you dont have an airbrush?

You can use 1k clear in an aerosol can like I do, or you can use 2k clear which is more expensive and cannot be saved and must be used within 24hrs. 2k clears are pretty much the same type of clearcoat on your car that uses a 2 part catalyzing system.

[Sunshyne]

wonderful info! another question

- what the heck is 1k and 2k? where can I get it?

[C. Charles Hahn]

wonderful info! another question

- what the heck is 1k and 2k? where can I get it?

1K vs. 2K refers to non-catalyzed vs. catalyzed paint -- 1K, being non-catalyzed, takes longer to cure and uses different solvents than a 2K paint.

Here's a bit of additional information about the differences:

1K Coating vs 2K Coatings

You can get 1K clear at most auto parts stores, as well as both 1K and 2K clears from any local PBE distributor. One of my favorite clears is sold under the brand "SprayMAX." I pick it up at Finishmaster locally.

[Lasthope05]

^^ Excellent post.

I like using SEM 1k HS clear as it is a fast drying clear with high film build ,like 2k system, requiring less coats. I get it at my local bodyshop supplier.

[Sunshyne]

alright! found it on amazon for $14 for the 1k. I learned a lot, thanks for answering gents.

[rwright]

Anyone not doing headlight reconditioning this way is doing it wrong!!! The only alternative to finishing this way would be to polish to completition and then coat the lens with something like Opti-Coat. The days of buffing and waxing lights should be over to anyone wishing to do it right. Great info Barry!

I suspect there will be a surge in Opti-Coat 2.0 sales. I just hope that people realize it is a permanent coating and that all sand scratches/marks should be removed prior to coating, otherwise their restored lights will have locked in defects. Opti-Coat will not fill these like clear coat does - according to Optimum.

[sohail99]

^Damn right!!

I'll be getting some opti-coat for the headlights for my dad's car!

I had sanded and restored them but now I have to seal them like every week or so to protect them from hazing again.

Btw really great article Barry.

Since I don't have any spray equipment, I'd have to do with opti-coat or similar coatings.

[Setec Astronomy]

Since I don't have any spray equipment, I'd have to do with opti-coat or similar coatings.

I believe the 1K and even the 2K clears mentioned above come in an aerosol can.