Headlight sealant: spar urethane vs. opti coat 2.0

**Part-timer** · 09-10-2011, 05:36 AM

Reggie......Did you use any compound or polish after sanding? Also, did you wipe the lens clean with mineral spirits and let it dry before wiping on the spar mixture? Those are the only two things I can think of to cause that to happen, unless someone tried vandalizing the customers car by scraping it off. The spar will scrape off fairly easy with a razor blade of knife, even after its had time to thoroghly dry.

**GP49** · 09-10-2011, 10:55 AM

If any polish (which is usually oil-based) was used, you would have needed to remove all traces of it so the urethane would bond to the bare plastic. A detergent wash followed by a wipedown with clean mineral spirits usually will do it.

**courtdale** · 09-10-2011, 11:44 AM

What (if any) differences are there in Urethanes? Are there any that definitely should, or should NOT be used. I ask because I was just in Lowes browsing, and I was down that aisle. Thought I'd grab a can, but they only had Spar in the larger $15 can. They did have Poly Urethanes and others in smaller sizes.

I ended up not grabbing anything.

**Part-timer** · 09-11-2011, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by courtdale

What (if any) differences are there in Urethanes? Are there any that definitely should, or should NOT be used. I ask because I was just in Lowes browsing, and I was down that aisle. Thought I'd grab a can, but they only had Spar in the larger $15 can. They did have Poly Urethanes and others in smaller sizes.

I ended up not grabbing anything.

It HAS TO BE the Helmsman Spar clear gloss......that is the one with green in the label (see photo on the first post of this thread) That one has the UV protection which is the main reason for its desired use with this application. Glad that you didn't just pick one at random. Here in Florida Home Depot has same can for $13.00

**highgrade** · 09-11-2011, 02:06 PM

Sandpaper, elbow grease, and urethane/mineral spirit mix

Process: Wipe down, tape, wet sand 800, 1000, 1500, 2000. I did NOT go over 2000. Cleaned with denatured alcohol.
Applied the home made sealant and let dry.
I was in no rush...took my time. Was done with both in about 45 minutes.

Use this process: Headlight Restoration-new UV sealant idea
Simple & effective.

**Part-timer** · 09-20-2011, 05:24 PM

Hotrod......next week is 3 months update....How are the Opti-coat and Spar holding up?

**Desert Detail & More** · 09-20-2011, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by Part-timer

Hotrod......next week is 3 months update....How are the Opti-coat and Spar holding up?

+1

**HotRod** · 09-21-2011, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by Part-timer

Hotrod......next week is 3 months update....How are the Opti-coat and Spar holding up?

Last I checked they still looked good. Its my sisters car, so I don't always see it too often. I don't think its even been washed since the restoration, so it will have a heavy film of grime and bug guts, not to mention our part of the country has had a record number of triple digit temperatures, so the lights definitely got tested. I will try to get some pictures uploaded soon.

**Rav777** · 09-21-2011, 08:15 PM

Nice, can't wait to see the results. Opti-coat will be nice if it works and a tube will probably last forever!

**reggie1967** · 09-21-2011, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by Part-timer

Reggie......Did you use any compound or polish after sanding? Also, did you wipe the lens clean with mineral spirits and let it dry before wiping on the spar mixture? Those are the only two things I can think of to cause that to happen, unless someone tried vandalizing the customers car by scraping it off. The spar will scrape off fairly easy with a razor blade of knife, even after its had time to thoroghly dry.

i compounded it i talk to gary and he told me not to compound wipe with alcohol and wipe the mixture and stir real good i guess by compounding it messed it up