clear-coating headlights

[mdavis]

So polishing your headlights is great... except that it never lasts long. I've read about this "Pactra racing finish" which is supposedly pretty awesome. But does anybody know if it prevents future oxidization?

Has anybody tried polishing the headlights and then applying some normal spray-paint clear coat?

[cjthor]

if you spraypaint your headlights the clear will prolly turn yellow with the heat.

[shameem]

You can try this -
http://lamin-x.com/products-clear-film.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mitmaks]

if you spraypaint your headlights the clear will prolly turn yellow with the heat.

not exactly, you see clear coat is made to withstand UV light and heat, thats why it doesnt yellow when you park your car in the sun. How hot do you think your car's body gets if its 100F day outside, especially if its darker colored car, you don't want to know.
You can certainly apply clear coat to headlights after they have been polished, but make sure there's no wax/grease before painting them just like with any other paint. Cheaper clear coats of course are not as durable as upper end ones.

[Mooneggs]

kind of off topic but I am looking for a good brand of clear coat for my rear taillights. I'm going to paint the amber signals transparent red and I don't want it to fade like it has done on previous taillight paintings I have done. any suggestions? I would imagine anything good enough for the headlights would work for the taillights right? or does the undercoat of red change the type of clearcoat I should buy??

[Mooneggs]

I finally just went to the hobby store and got this clear coat. The employee thought it would work well over the candy apple red transparent paint... he did say it may start to yellow (like most clear coat does over time)... we'll see how it goes!

[mdavis]

sweet. let us know in time!

[Mooneggs]

and to clarify this was for my taillights, not my headlights

[MazdaManiacMx3]

Laquer paint has a very nice gloss effect when polished but it scratches easily , I would use a urethane based paint ..
Such as DuPont Chroma Clear , it works well and is reasonably priced.

[mitmaks]

PPG's 2000 series clear coat is one of the best clears out there

[Mooneggs]

so what does this mean - I used the wrong clearcoat??

of course you all know I am a n00b to paints and clearcoats

[SuperK]

why don't you just primer your headlights?

[Daninski]

Besides Laquer not being very durable it could wrinkle other enamle based paints. You need to use three part automotive urathane clear coat. Just be aware that the hardener is a carcinagen so where a good organic vapour or air supplied respirator and for gods sake keep your kids away from the area. Anything else will yellow for sure. My buddy uses a 4 part polishing system that worked real nice on my head lites and he did mine for free too The final step has a UV inhibitor.

[Mooneggs]

why don't you just primer your headlights?

worst idea ever...


well I guess I'll just see how long they last... worse case I guess I could sand them down and start over

sigh....

[Daninski]

You could drop by a local Body shop and ask them if they would shoot your headlites with clear while they're clearcoating someones car. They would probably do it for free.