Please recommend a good UV protectant for headlights

[996GT2]

Since Amazon was having a sale on 3M products, I just ordered a bottle of 3M plastic polish/protector, as well as a 3M headlight restoration kit. Total came out to $11.49 shipped for both items.

I know that these restoration kits can make headlights look good for a few months, but they require a good UV protectant to prevent the headlights from fading again. I've read that the UV protectant that comes in the kits aren't very effective past a few months.

Any recommendations for a good UV protectant that can be used on headlights after I use the restoration kit?

Here's what I ordered, for reference:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002U268M
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AIZ5HY

 

[gorb]

Maybe something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Magic-730...dp/B0051PJWQW/

Or this:
http://www.amazon.com/XPEL-H9903A-Cl...dp/B002BI865U/

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Uhm...wax? I could be mistaken but I thought most car waxes have uv protection and are safe to use on plastics.

 

[JCH13]

Discussed ad-nauseam here.

Wax and other coatings require maintenance/reapplication. They work, but only if you keep it up.

My firm belief: respray it with a quality automotive clear after a good sanding/polishing. A bodyshop will do this for cheap (~$40) or you can spend $10-20 on a good shaker can and do it yourself.

These are my Miata's tail lights after a #600(?) wet-sand and then after a quick clear-coat spray.

 

[kitatech]

I use this...though like others (e.g. wolfgang plastik surface sealant) I've used, plastic will need to be resprayed every couple of months...but that's just a 2 minute job...and I use it for other purposes...tonight I sprayed/polished a new Technics LP turntable dust cover...

http://www.amazon.com/Sumner-Laborat.../dp/B00144ASC6

after 1st using 210 PLUS® Plastic Scratch Remover Cleaner/ Polish

more here:
http://sumnerlabs.com/index.php/products

 

[RLGL]

replace lights- certafit, has them

 

[Yuriman]

After sanding your lights, expect to have to continue applying product every month for the rest of the time you own your car, or they'll yellow again. I chose the cheap route and diluted some spar urethane with mineral spirits and applied it to mine. Looks great, should last at least a few years.

 

[kitatech]

.... continue applying product every month for the rest of the time you own your car, or they'll yellow again.

Not a bad thing...
...like cleaning and washing the car once a month inside as well as outside...
...like checking oil once a month
...like checking coolant level once a month
...like adding windshield washing fluid once a month...

...once a month is a good thing for most auto maintenance regimes...
...some we've all got to do
...some we all should do
...and some too many don't do...

 

[JCH13]

Not a bad thing...
...like cleaning and washing the car once a month inside as well as outside...
...like checking oil once a month
...like checking coolant level once a month
...like adding windshield washing fluid once a month...

...once a month is a good thing for most auto maintenance regimes...
...some we've all got to do
...some we all should do
...and some too many don't do...

It is a bad thing if you consider your time worth more than nothing, and if you don't want to reapply said wax/product in the middle of winter.

If you don't mind yet another maintenance item for your car, go for it, but don't claim that it's 'not a bad thing' when it clearly causes more work for the owner. Say you spent 15min every month re-waxing your headlights, that's 3 hours a year. A re-spray will last 4-5 years, or more, and cost around $40, saving yourself 12-15 hours in labor. You're paying yourself less than $3/hr to wax headlights not including the costs associated with buying the wax, applicators, etc. It's just silly to try and keep up with waxing when respraying your headlights is so easy and inexpensive.

 

[kitatech]

It is a bad thing if you consider your time worth more than nothing, and if you don't want to reapply said wax/product in the middle of winter.

If you don't mind yet another maintenance item for your car, go for it, but don't claim that it's 'not a bad thing' when it clearly causes more work for the owner. Say you spent 15min every month re-waxing your headlights, that's 3 hours a year. A re-spray will last 4-5 years, or more, and cost around $40, saving yourself 12-15 hours in labor. You're paying yourself less than $3/hr to wax headlights not including the costs associated with buying the wax, applicators, etc. It's just silly to try and keep up with waxing when respraying your headlights is so easy and inexpensive.

Takes me 2 minutes...about as much time it takes to open the hood and check oil and water levels...so I stand by my story...not silly at all....that and a clean rag and product that lasts 3 years or more and clear lights are kept clear.

 

[lsd]

After sanding your lights, expect to have to continue applying product every month for the rest of the time you own your car, or they'll yellow again. I chose the cheap route and diluted some spar urethane with mineral spirits and applied it to mine. Looks great, should last at least a few years.

Did the same except I used the spray can and lightly wet sanded & polished later. Looked good after 6 months but ended up donating the car so I don't know how long it lasts. I spent no more than $15 to do it.
Here is a massive thread about the spar urethane method if anyone is interested
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...eadlight-restoration-new-uv-sealant-idea.html

 

[JCH13]

Takes me 2 minutes...about as much time it takes to open the hood and check oil and water levels...so I stand by my story...not silly at all....that and a clean rag and product that lasts 3 years or more and clear lights are kept clear.

Hey, if you want another chore go for it.