Headlight restoration options

[demas]

So I've been putting this off for a while and with a few clear days on the forecast, thinking about going to town with the full wet sanding soon.

I know that protection is key once the old clear coat has been fully removed and while nothing beats the protection offered by original OEM when new, I'd like them to last as long as possible. Car is not garaged so is exposed to the elements.


Some options that have been under consideration are:

1) gradual wet sand ~800 --> 2000 then polish and use a traditional sealant

2) gradual wet sand ~800 --> 2000 polish, then apply a paint protection film

3) gradual wet sand ~800 --> 1500 then apply 2K clear coat


I don't mind putting in the work - actually look forward to it - but am leaning option 3 right now. I think option 1 won't last long in the sun and the amount of effort to sand with constant post protection isn't worth it. (similar in my view, to those commercially available restoration kits).

Option 2 would protect longer but the film could also yellow or peel off even after a couple years and you'd have to deal with removing it and reapplying etc. At least one shop I spoke with here (Japan) don't offer headlight PPF anymore due to these kinds of challenges.

Option 3 seems the best 'long-term' solution in that if the coat degrades later, I can sand down and respray or compound polish if I catch the yellowing early. However, I've read some posts where the 2K caused damage to some cars by melting the plastic post coating - albeit that wasn't a BMW forum and not sure how credible the information was.


Has anyone done the 2K route or know of any major downsides? The 2K clear product I'm considering is of course purchased locally made in Japan and designed for poly-carbonate headlamps.



Here are some close-ups of my lights. Thanks.

[zx10guy]

I just did a restoration on my mom's 2002 Jeep Liberty headlights. I used the Cerakote kit based on various reviews I've seen online.

https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerako...-headlight-kit

The results were actually pretty amazing. The kit includes everything you need to do both headlights. I took a slightly before pic and after. The slightly before pic was after I had already performed step 1 which is to wipe the headlight lens with the oxidation remover wipes. The haze pre treatment was much worse than the before pic shows and much worse than the pics of your headlights.

The only thing I may consider if this were my BMW is to have a clear vinyl wrap applied on top of the restored headlight lenses. But I haven't had to do any headlight restoration on any of my vehicles as I had the clear vinyl wrap applied onto the headlight lenses well before any oxidation took place.

[demas]

Many thanks for sharing - looks like a great product considering real clear coat.

I actually just finished my restore this afternoon - manual sanding and finalizing with the 3M clear wipes. When it wears off, Cerakote may be what I try next as it ticks the boxes for me.


Did you have your lights professionally wrapped or was that a DIY?


Cheers.

[zx10guy]

You did a great job. Turned out really well.

I'm not sure what grits the sand papers are that are included with the kit. After finishing with the finest grit, the lenses are still pretty "hazed". What you would expect with the scratches done by running sand paper on any surface. So I was pretty skeptical as to the finished product. But was amazed when I did step 3 which is the ceramic/clear. As soon as I wiped it on, the lens was instantly clear. I'm assuming the ceramic/clear just fills in all the voids left from the sanding. I did run the ceramic/clear wipe lightly across the lens after applying to ensure there were no runs or air bubbles. I did end up with one imperfection due to some debris from the wind blowing onto it. I picked the debris out but it left a slight imperfection behind.

As to the vinyl wrap, I had a professional do it. My 135i is garage kept so the lenses look perfect and brand new. My daily beater which also has the vinyl wrap on the headlights/foglights still look very good and that car sits outside 24/7/365.

[demas]

Thanks.

I am still interested in applying a film purely for the UV protection. Was considering to DIY it but it's probably best for a professional to do it.

Since moving into my new house here I've been parking outside. My 550 is still pristine but was garaged for 10 years since new - lenses still good now but that might be the car I wrap first.

3 shops around me (including the BMW dealer) all don't offer headlight wrapping. I know another BMW tuner shop a bit further away which does so may check with them. Also, being in Japan sometimes their products look good initially, but don't last long hence contemplated ordering quality wraps from the US and doing it myself.

[zx10guy]

I had a shop that does nothing but wraps do my headlights. They use 3M products.

Interesting thing is they wouldn't touch my 2022 S1000RR. Found another shop that was willing to give it a shot but wasn't happy with how it turned out and took off the wrap. Told me to pick up the bike.