Headlight polishing update

HarryM1BYT · 17th January 2020, 07:45

In August of 2019, I decided to carry out some long term experiments to solve the issues with my MkII's opaque headlight lenses. https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...highlight=lens

To test my theory I scrounged a gash Mk I lens from a local member. Idea was to try ordinary clear coat lacquer on on of the lenses on my Mk II and on the donated MK I lens, the latter being left out in the full sun and weather for a test period to see what developed. My Mk II spends much of its time in my garage, so hardly a fair test of deterioration.

I began by thoroughly abrading both headlights down to bare polycarbonate, with course wet and dry, until I was certain all the original coating was gone, then polished them back up, with finer and finer grades of wet and dry, finishing off with a metal polish, before washing thoroughly.

That, I followed with several coats of my clear coat aerosol. My finish proved a little disappointing, in that marks in the form of what looked like cracks appeared in the coating on both lenses.

I managed to polish the worst of the lines out, before finishing with metal polish. Too the good - neither lens has shown any deterioration at all in the 6 months since I did them.

When I have simply polished them up without any coating, the have deteriorated almost before my eyes in just weeks - so I'm that a successful experiment.

17th January 2020, 07:45	#1
HarryM1BYT This is my second home 75 Contemporary SE Mk II 2004 Man. Sal. CDTi 135ps, FBH on red diesel, WinCE6 DD Join Date: May 2010 Location: Leeds Posts: 17,273 Thanks: 2,160 Thanked 2,061 Times in 1,586 Posts	Headlight polishing update In August of 2019, I decided to carry out some long term experiments to solve the issues with my MkII's opaque headlight lenses. https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...highlight=lens To test my theory I scrounged a gash Mk I lens from a local member. Idea was to try ordinary clear coat lacquer on on of the lenses on my Mk II and on the donated MK I lens, the latter being left out in the full sun and weather for a test period to see what developed. My Mk II spends much of its time in my garage, so hardly a fair test of deterioration. I began by thoroughly abrading both headlights down to bare polycarbonate, with course wet and dry, until I was certain all the original coating was gone, then polished them back up, with finer and finer grades of wet and dry, finishing off with a metal polish, before washing thoroughly. That, I followed with several coats of my clear coat aerosol. My finish proved a little disappointing, in that marks in the form of what looked like cracks appeared in the coating on both lenses. I managed to polish the worst of the lines out, before finishing with metal polish. Too the good - neither lens has shown any deterioration at all in the 6 months since I did them. When I have simply polished them up without any coating, the have deteriorated almost before my eyes in just weeks - so I'm that a successful experiment. __________________ Harry How To's and items I offer for free, or just to cover the cost of my expenses... http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...40#post1764540 Fix a poor handbrake; DIY ABS diagnostic unit; Loan of the spanner needed to change the CDT belts; free OBD diagnostics +MAF; Correct Bosch MAF cheap; DVB-T install in an ex-hi-line system; DD install with a HK amp; FBH servicing. I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.