Re: Headlight sealant: spar urethane vs. opti coat 2.0
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Setec Astronomy
I'm not arguing, but nickel is pretty hard :D
I hear ya, but nickel is still considered a soft metal. For example, it is used in many cheaper eyeglass frames and tends to corrode fast and some people are allergic to the oxidation, so eyeglass shops will recommend harder metals like stainless or titanium frames. The harder the finish, the greater the durability.
In the world of clear coatings, all coatings eventually break down, but the hardest coatings hold their look and resist damage the longest. :xyxthumbs:
Re: Headlight sealant: spar urethane vs. opti coat 2.0
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Chris@Optimum
Optimum's current coatings are for paint which already contains high levels of UV protection; so not much additional is needed. Enter clear plastics...you still have a coating that beads and doesn't allow contamination to stick well, but because the plastic has NO UV other than the factory coat that has worn away or you sanded away during the restoration process there isn't a lot of UV protection when applied to a substrate that has NONE of its own.
So, OC is still there and working, just not effectively as you'd like on these surfaces. The urethane has very high levels of UV inhibitors because it was designed to protect wood and such that had no protection, but it can't handle the chemicals than OC can.
We should have a plastic specific coating ready by SEMA that will permenantly prevent UV degradation on lenses...so stay tuned.
you're twisting my arm to return to vegas.
chris<pixelmonkey>:D
Re: Headlight sealant: spar urethane vs. opti coat 2.0
Has anyone done a longevity test for Delta Kits "Coat2Protect" coating? I'm wondering how long that lasts. They sell 8oz for $81.00. I'm not sure how many vehicles that amount would do.....and the website doesn't say.
Re: Headlight sealant: spar urethane vs. opti coat 2.0
I am also curious about the "shelf life" of the above named product and their "Infinity 4.1" product as well. Does anyone know?
Re: Headlight sealant: spar urethane vs. opti coat 2.0
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Chris@Optimum
Optimum's current coatings are for paint which already contains high levels of UV protection; so not much additional is needed. Enter clear plastics...you still have a coating that beads and doesn't allow contamination to stick well, but because the plastic has NO UV other than the factory coat that has worn away or you sanded away during the restoration process there isn't a lot of UV protection when applied to a substrate that has NONE of its own.
So, OC is still there and working, just not effectively as you'd like on these surfaces. The urethane has very high levels of UV inhibitors because it was designed to protect wood and such that had no protection, but it can't handle the chemicals than OC can.
We should have a plastic specific coating ready by SEMA that will permenantly prevent UV degradation on lenses...so stay tuned.
You have my full attention! :props:
Re: Headlight sealant: spar urethane vs. opti coat 2.0
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Part-timer
Has anyone done a longevity test for Delta Kits "Coat2Protect" coating? I'm wondering how long that lasts. They sell 8oz for $81.00. I'm not sure how many vehicles that amount would do.....and the website doesn't say.
I have this. It is actually 2x8oz componants for a total of 16 oz mixed. I used it once, mixed about half an oz and needed about half of it. I would say the quanity should do 35-50 sets of lamps. The setup time was very long, like 3 hours until I released the car. That was about a year and and 3 months ago. It still seems good, I mixed a small amout to verify it will set. Their newer product is supposed to be good to go in 20-30 minutes and comes with a better mixing method.
The set I did here (MI) about a year and 3 months ago still looks as good as the day I did it. I've had a lot more fun with the GlasWeld windshield repair kit I bought this year at Mobil-Tech.
Re: Headlight sealant: spar urethane vs. opti coat 2.0
first time reading this thread... really terrific. sanding & polishing the headlights are the first step in my repair plans for my girlfriend's 2001 jetta... great tips on this thread! thanks everyone (especially OP)!
Re: Headlight sealant: spar urethane vs. opti coat 2.0
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RaskyR1
You have my full attention! :props:
Me Too!!
Re: Headlight sealant: spar urethane vs. opti coat 2.0
Quote:
Originally Posted by
feslope
I have this. It is actually 2x8oz componants for a total of 16 oz mixed. I used it once, mixed about half an oz and needed about half of it. I would say the quanity should do 35-50 sets of lamps. The setup time was very long, like 3 hours until I released the car. That was about a year and and 3 months ago. It still seems good, I mixed a small amout to verify it will set. Their newer product is supposed to be good to go in 20-30 minutes and comes with a better mixing method.
The set I did here (MI) about a year and 3 months ago still looks as good as the day I did it. I've had a lot more fun with the GlasWeld windshield repair kit I bought this year at Mobil-Tech.
I should also point out that the Coat2Protect product while being a two part mix does not act very much like an epoxy. It seems more to air dry, a heat gun or hair dryer really speeds it up. If I recall the instructions called for turning the headlights on for a few minutes to aid the cure.
Re: Headlight sealant: spar urethane vs. opti coat 2.0
Don't know for sure how long Coat2Protect will last, but because it's a poly, I would think you'll use 5 to 10 ml. per headlight to coat with 1 coat. (1 oz.=30 ml.) depending on the size.
This coating is a 2K , so it's 8 oz. of coating and 8 oz. of activator, so it's 16 oz. total. So, worse case would be 48 headlights for $81, or about 66 cents each.
The thing I don't like with this method is it's applied with paper towels which are wasteful and not consistent. I think you could get a better coating using foam applicators and a small dispensing cup, but just my opinion because I have never personally used this coating.
Since it's a solvent based polyurethane, my guess would be 1 year average lifetime, but only a guess. If you check their forum, you could probably get a better idea of average lifetime.
ray6