best headlight clear coat

[Jfridge92]

So as you might know, I'm getting ready to do a HID retrofit on the Buick. I've used Ryan's method of clearing the headlights in the past, but the urethane used in this method tends to turn yellow and fog pretty quickly, especially in the summer months. The plastic lenses on the 90's model cars are pretty much complete garbage when it comes to staying clear, but I'm sure there are different clear coats that will yield a longer lasting result.

So I'd like to hear what your experiences and recommendations are as far as a good clear coat for headlights. I'll still be using 3000 and 5000 grit wet sandpaper to get the lenses prepped, but I'd prefer to not have to redo them every 4 to 6 months once they go back in.

[96 SSEi]

hi, i will be on this soon...........my 96 had nice glass lamps but the 2000 is plastic................I would first try a high quality synthetic wax with uv protection and see how that works......have read about distortion so this should minimize or eliminate it............just a thought

[crash93ssei]

Wax will do next to nothing. Dupli-Color makes a spray clear in their "Perfect Match" lineup that is supposed to have UV inhibitors in it, I would go that route or probably one step up from there and get some 2k clear in a spray can. If you search 2k clear spray paint you will find a couple brands, should be much more durable then regular spray paint.

[l67se]

Glassweld. We use it at work for headlamp restorations.
Not cheap but it lasts

[jradke61]

I'm ordering paint and clear coat from http://www.66autocolor.com. It's 2k like crash93ssei said. The clear has a hardener and is activated before use. Once it's activated you have like 12 hours to use it depending on temperature..I've had good luck with their stuff on my semi. 23.95 for paint in an aerosol and 22.95 for the clear with hardener. If you send in a paint sample they'll color match.
The clear with hardener should work well on the lights. I'm going to try it myself.

[2003 SSEi]

Meguires makes a UV Clear coat designed for headlights

[BonnieBoy08]

https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/he ... e=&from=fn

This is my favorite one. I just used more sandpaper than what was provided. Holds up great for 1-2 years depending on climate conditions (the winters are hard on them here)

PS: What happened to the race couch? :( I'm not on here much anymore.

[Oldman]

I cleaned my really good a couple of years ago and had an old detail guy tell me that he coats them with transmission fluid. Since I cleaned mine, I wipe them down with transmission fluid with every oil change and they have maintained the good cleaning and clear lens for over 2 years now. Transmission fluid seems to have some penetrating properties to it and it appears to fill in imperfections and give a good coating. I wipe it on pretty liberally and as I wipe it seems to penetrate and soak in and the finish lasts. Give it a try, everybody has a bottle of transmission fluid around the garage. What have you got to loose?

[jradke61]

Have to try that. Makes sense I guess.