Optics restoration products. Why do my headlights dim?
Have your car's headlights lost their transparency and are covered with a dull, cloudy or yellowish film? Not only does this make your car look dirty and older than it actually is, but it can also be a serious safety issue. Cloudy fog lights and headlights affect their ability to illuminate the road ahead, reducing visibility and putting you at risk.
This hazy coating on your headlights is caused by repeated exposure to a whole host of factors: weather, UV rays, etc. Luckily, there are many headlight restoration kits that can help make your car look like new while also helping improve nighttime visibility. . Headlight restoration kits are fairly easy to use, even if you have no experience in car detailing, and they are much cheaper than visiting a professional to restore the clarity of the optics or replace the entire headlight assembly.
Instructions for use for headlight adhesive
In order for the sealant to reliably connect the bonded surfaces, you must follow the manufacturer's recommendations. However, there are some general rules to maintain the transparency and color rendering ability of headlights.
Gluing must be done using the following algorithm:
After installing glass or collecting broken pieces, remove excess product. If during the operation of the car you notice that peeling has occurred (this is a problem with polyurethane compounds), disassemble the block using a solvent on the same PU base.
The best means for restoring headlights. Top 10
Here is a list of some of the best headlight restoration kits you can buy. Each of this list is either a bestseller or highly rated on various trading platforms in Ukraine. Also, when compiling the list, we took into account reviews from owners and tried not to touch those products that are not worth the money invested or are too expensive.
Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit
Sylvania is a well-known brand that produces incandescent lamps, so it makes sense to take a closer look at their headlight restoration product. This award-winning Sylvania headlight restoration kit has over 3,600 reviews on Amazon and is quite well received with an average of 4.6 stars out of 5 ratings. There is also a lifetime warranty, and the company guarantees the performance of the product for the entire life of the vehicle.
The three-part kit is sold with a surface activator, brightener and UV blocking clear coat. Rubber gloves, sandpaper and some cloths are also included. However, you will need your own masking tape, which is not a big problem. The company claims that one kit is enough to restore two headlights, and can be done in just 30 minutes. There are a lot of rave reviews about this product, but others say it's a little more complicated and takes longer than expected, with some reporting it takes about an hour per headlight.
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Wipe New Headlight Restore Kit
The Wipe New kit says “Made in the USA” and based on the reviews, you can believe it. A disposable pre-soaked microfiber cloth is included, as well as a buffing pad to make the process as easy and convenient as possible. The package promises "crystal clear headlights in seconds" and that one application will last for years.
Users say the process requires lubrication, but it gets the job done. Several users said that the composition does not work at all. Wipe New is also guaranteed to pass all headlight inspection requirements for the life of the vehicle. Kits that use these types of wipes may not be as effective as kits that include sanding compounds and sanding pads, but they can be a good option for a quick headlight restoration.
Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit
To make restoring optics that require a lot of tedious sanding as easy as possible, Mothers kit uses a Powerball polishing tool that can be attached to any drill or driver chuck and used to speed up the process. The polishing tool is also washable and reusable.
This is a quick and safe method that can help not only restore, but also protect plastic and acrylic headlights for improved visibility. The manufacturer claims that it will only take a few minutes to restore your headlights, which is great because using other products can take hours to get the desired results.
Meguiar's Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit
Like the Mothers kit, the Meguiar kit also comes with a drill attachment and polishes and protects the headlight plastic for 12 months. This kit offers a one-step solution, is considered ideal for severe clouding and yellowing of optics, and also comes with several sanding discs. However, some users criticize the quality of the kit, especially the sanding equipment.
3M Headlight Restoration Kit
This inexpensive kit is manufactured by the very famous company 3M. Not only is it friendly to your wallet, but it is also very well tested by professionals. This professional-grade kit offers a three-step process that the manufacturer says takes just one hour to achieve the effect of new headlights, although some users have reported that it took longer in their cases. Although the three-step process requires a little more work than some other kits, users are generally very happy with the results.
This kit comes with a full range of lightweight abrasives, polishes and protectants, plus 3M automotive masking tape to protect the area around the headlight when restoring it. All you need to use this kit is an electric drill to speed up the process, a water spray bottle and some rags.
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Rain-X Headlight Restoration Kit
Rain-X is another trusted brand when it comes to road safety, known for its water repellent products such as windshield wipers and windshield washer fluid. Its multi-step headlight restoration system is well researched and can even remove scratches and scuffs in addition to restoring the shine of the headlight.
This Rain-X kit can be used multiple times, unlike the 3M kit, which is a one-time solution. The kit includes lubricant, three-layer sandpaper, polish and sealant. Some say the sandpaper pads are too small to hold, but overall users liked that this set doesn't require too much physical effort to get the results they want.
Turtle Wax (2-in-1) Headlight Cleaner and Sealant
Turtle Wax is extremely affordable but recommended for regular use, which means it's not a one-time solution. It would probably be a good idea to use it before selling your old car, but it won't be as effective as other products on this list with a lot of steps and sanding.
The 2-in-1 solution, which is both a cleaner and a water repellent, claims to restore clarity and prevent further yellowing by preventing oxidation. This product is recommended for mild haze and will not be as effective on headlights with severe haze and yellowing. It's also sold as a polish only and not as a kit, so you'll have to use your own polishing pads or pads.
Users say the product can be used with a foam polishing pad and electric drill for faster polishing, but the liquid is quite runny and may splatter. Several reviews claim that the product will not make your headlights look new, but it does show results.
Philips Headlight Restoration Kit with UV protection
This headlight restoration kit from Philips has two years of UV protection, giving you peace of mind that any clouding will be prevented for at least that time. The kit comes with everything needed to restore headlights and claims it will give drivers professional results "with minimal effort" even without any additional power tools. However, you will still need masking tape to protect the area around the headlight while you restore it.
However, this kit is a bit pricey, especially for a kit that doesn't come with a drill attachment. Some users are completely satisfied with the results, saying that it is worth the cost, while others were disappointed. It probably all depends on the degree of wear of the optics.
Dupli-Color HLR100-3 PK Clear Headlight Restoration Kit
This kit uses an aerosol can to apply polish. This will make life easier, but the kit still doesn't come with an easy-to-use drill or sander attachment like other kits. The two-part kit comes with a spray polish and a clear coat with long-lasting UV protection to help prevent further oxidation, but you'll need your own tools to use them. Users say this kit may not work as efficiently as others that require sanding. But there is one plus. The kit can restore several pairs of optics.
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TriNova Headlight Restoration Kit
This affordable kit comes with plenty of working attachments, meaning it's not disposable like other kits and you won't have to worry about ruined sanding materials. This helps take the stress out of polishing your headlights for the first time.
The kit includes sandpaper for sanding the headlight shades and removing dirt, but the sandpaper is quite fragile and doesn't stick to the applicator very well, making it difficult to use effectively. The kit also includes a headlight cleaning spray, polish and lens protectant that help protect the plastic of the optics from UV rays and further oxidation.
The best way to glue headlight glass types of sealants
The market offers a fairly extensive range of compositions that differ in chemical properties, ease of use, and cost. What to choose? First you need to understand the classification. There are 4 types of sealants for headlights and car glass.
For better bonding, it is better to dismantle the headlight
Silicone
In terms of composition before polymerization, these are semi-liquid fluid products made from natural or artificial rubber. After application, the material hardens, turning into a kind of rubber that glues surfaces, protects from UV radiation and seals joints. But silicone products have a significant disadvantage - poor resistance to chemically aggressive environments, for example, technical oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, etc.
This is especially important if the car has a headlight washer system, which uses a special liquid that contributes to the process of destruction of the sealant, but sometimes oil-resistant products are found. In winter, it is also affected by anti-ice reagents
The main advantage of silicone compounds is their low cost and the ability not to lose their properties over a wide temperature range - up to +100°C. Ideal for mounting fog lamp lenses.
Polyurethane
These automotive sealants are very helpful in situations where you need to glue individual fragments of broken headlight glass or simply repair a chip or crack. The main advantage of polyurethane compounds is high adhesion (stickability) and good adhesive properties. Dried polyurethane based sealant is water resistant.
There are other advantages:
Polyurethane sealant: everything is written on the package
What about the disadvantages? They are also available. The first is toxicity, which requires compliance with special safety rules: you need to work in rubber gloves, goggles, and sometimes a respirator (if the amount of work is large, for example, in a machine shop). And another disadvantage is poor resistance to high (more than +120°C) temperatures, which is typical for halogen lamps. However, the product is quite suitable for repairing mirrors.
Anaerobic
These compositions are characterized by high strength and resistance to high temperatures (up to +200°C). Sealants of this type are used for sealing joints and seams. Before polymerization, anaerobic sealants are in liquid form. Because of this, there are some inconveniences during use. But the chemical composition of the product is harmless to humans, and additional protection in the form of gloves and glasses is not required. The only requirement is to prevent the sealant from getting into your mouth and eyes.
Heat resistant (high temperature)
The main advantage of these sealants for headlights and car glass follows from their name. Compositions of this type can easily withstand temperatures up to +300 and even +400°C. That is, these heat sealants are well suited for working with headlight lenses that contain halogen lamps. The heat-resistant product is quite durable and is not afraid of vibration and mechanical impact. Heat-resistant sealants are produced in paste form or in two-component form. There is also a drawback to high-temperature auto sealant - a long hardening time, reaching up to 8-12 hours.
Headlight restoration products: how it works
Headlights turn yellow and appear cloudy due to exposure to ultraviolet rays, as well as prolonged exposure to precipitation, dirt and debris. This causes the protective outer layer of the headlights to deteriorate, changing the color of the lens and making it appear cloudy and old. Plus, it's not very effective.
Headlight restoration kits are usually able to correct this by offering the correct grit of sandpaper to wet sand the outer surface of the optics, removing the worn outer protective layer. The instructions for use usually recommend polishing the surface and thoroughly rinsing off any debris. Sometimes the composition also includes UV protection, which is able to keep the optics polished for some time.
In any case, we need to adequately assess the condition of the polycarbonate on the optics and use restoration products that will not damage the headlight if it is not too worn out.
How to replace glass
You can remove any damage to the surface using a standard scheme. First you need to clean the surface, sand it, remove dust particles. Degrease and leave to dry.
Stages of glass repair and replacement:
Sealing the headlight glass is not difficult if you follow the necessary steps correctly. When cleaning the surface, you should initially pay attention to existing cracks. If this step is not taken into account, the network of cracks will increase. This will result in a decrease in the light output. If there are no additional damage, then you can begin restoring and replacing the glass.
It is not recommended to use xenon headlights, because they will not have a light source. The reflected light will disturb other drivers. They should not be turned on in good weather for the same reason.
A crack in the headlight spoils the appearance of the car. Restoration will require skill and patience from the car enthusiast. At the same time, self-repair will help save money and nerves. Various mixtures that can be prepared independently from available materials will help to seal the headlight. Their dignity is safe. Proper care of the car will allow it to serve its owner for a long time.
Source
How to choose the right headlight restoration product. 6 tips
- Take a good look at your headlights before purchasing any of these restoration kits. If they appear clear, do not use lens restoration products. They are abrasive and can easily damage surfaces that do not need as much restoration.
- For any of the products, it would be a good idea to watch the manufacturer's instructional video online.
- If the surface of the headlight appears clean and clear at first glance, but the light is not as effective as before, it may be worth simply replacing the bulbs. They have their own service life, during which the light loses intensity.
- Get into the habit of regularly cleaning your optics with a household glass cleaner. Even a simple car wash can make a big difference in how well you can see, especially if you live in an area with a lot of snow, ice, and road salt.
- Most of the products presented require the use of special sponges for application. So, any ATB or Auchan sells decent quality microfiber sponges that cost a penny.
- Sylvania protective coatings must dry after application. Do not plan to use the vehicle for an hour or so after use.
How to remove sealant from a headlight or glass
One of the most effective methods is to heat the sealant. After softening it can be removed freely
When doing this, be careful not to melt the plastic elements of the headlight unit. Residues can be removed with any automotive solvent and a flat screwdriver: the main thing is not to scratch the surface and wait 10-15 minutes. Then you can carefully scrape off the excess with a knife.
The choice of one or another sealing composition depends on the type of lamp in the headlight. In normal cases, polyurethane or silicone products are suitable, but if the optics are halogen-filled, use heat-resistant sealants, which can be found at any auto store.
