DIY Permanent Headlight Restoration: Crystal Clear Results 2024 (2K Clear Coat)

[@DIYGarageNation]

Parts Used in Video: 2k Clear Coat: amzn.to/4cZAfIx 3M Sand Paper Set: amzn.to/3UQ0J8q Sponge: amzn.to/4dVwyFr Plastic Drop Cloth: amzn.to/3ywx1xM Painter's Tape: amzn.to/4dXg7J4 Tac Cloth: amzn.to/3QZ3frH

[@hwalker4955]

Followed these directions and new looking lights! Good advice and direction!

[@DIYGarageNation]

Love to hear it! Brings the whole car back to life!

[@rAAARREE]

Gonna give this a shot thanks!

[@DIYGarageNation]

Let us know how it turns out!

[@jensz9360]

Dont forget to tell the people who try this to wear a good full face respirator with proper filtration (at the least) . Also best to wear paint suit, 2K clear is some nasty stuff and will ruin your lungs, not anything to take lightly and play around with. Even minimal exposure sill screw you up (Maybe not right away but later) At 3:49 looks like wind was blowing and the 2K was going your direction.

[@DIYGarageNation]

You're right, a proper respirator is always good practice.

[@victorgutierrez4377]

Great job!!!!

[@DIYGarageNation]

Thank you!! Hope it was helpful!

[@bosanovaboy]

Excellent 👌

[@DIYGarageNation]

Thank you 🫡

[@xianghua5281]

Can I use SprayMax 2K clear coat instead? The name sounds like more sophisticated and advanced than the recommended 2K clear coat, or no? Thanks!

[@DIYGarageNation]

I have not tested that brand so I can only recommend the one I used (ERA). If you end up going with SprayMax let us know how it goes!

[@KING-MUFFASA]

What soap do you use when sanding headlights?

[@DIYGarageNation]

We used a tiny bit of dish soap. However, it's not necessary, using only water is also perfectly fine.

[@KING-MUFFASA]

@@DIYGarageNation ok thanks

[@DIYGarageNation]

@@KING-MUFFASA If you use soap, make sure you wash it off completely before spraying any clearcoat.

[@marioboom7491]

Great video ! But from my experience, there is no need to sand with such fine grit. When I did mine, i sanded with 600, then 800, then cleaned the surface with alcohol, made sure no residue is on the surface and than sprayed 2k coat ( Even though I didn't have to mix and activate anything, just had to shake it well, it is a product by car-rep and I don't know how good it is, but so far it seems to have worked great ). My point is, some people say that for the clear coat to adhere best to the surface it's better that the surface is a bit "rough", instead of super smooth. Is it true? I don't know. I would be happy if you guys shared your experiences here ! Peace.

[@DIYGarageNation]

If topping off at 800 worked well for you, that's great. We increased to 1500, and after over a year, the headlights still look perfectly clear with no peeling and no yellowing. Technically, 1500 would still look "rough" if seen under a microscope. The 2K clear coat we recommend has a hardener/activator that provides superior durability compared to 1K clear coats, making it more resistant to wear and tear. I'm unsure about clear coats that don't require activating the hardener, as in your case. Please share your results after a year, and let us know how they've held up. Thanks!

[@olivergrajales400]

Could i also use any other 2k clear coat

[@DIYGarageNation]

It's best to use the one we linked, it's highly rated and will last. Others may flake or yellow fast.

[@mtxed]

What's the difference between this and say the 3M / Philips restore kits on Amazon???

[@DIYGarageNation]

This method last years, the 3M/Phillips kits only lasts around 6 months.

[@toycoma98]

2K clear coat is the best way to restore headlights. Buffing and polishing, ceramic coating it DIY or from a detailer is a waste of money. Its still bare plastic. Clear coat has actual UV protectant or resistant in the paint.

[@DIYGarageNation]

Agreed, I've tried the buffing/polishing technique with all types of brands, nothing lasts. 2k clear is the only way.

[@Lola6654]

Does the tac cloth need to be wet?

[@DIYGarageNation]

No, tac cloth should be dry.

[@yo-xzn8600]

Umm what should you do if it looks runny?

[@DIYGarageNation]

That is orange peel. Make sure to do VERY light coats to avoid it. If it looks bad then you will just need to sand/polish to remove it and respray with very light coats.

[@yo-xzn8600]

@@DIYGarageNation got it thanks

[@yo-xzn8600]

Should I use something even more lower as I only used 800, 1000, and 2000 grit sand paper? Or should that work to remove the orange peel

[@DIYGarageNation]

@@yo-xzn8600 Yes you can, as long as you go back to 800 - 1200 - 2000 after using 400 for example.

[@Sathirel2]

Link to 2k clear coat doesn't work for me

[@DIYGarageNation]

Link has been updated, try this one: amzn.to/4cZAfIx

[@JohnnyGAdventures]

That's great if you have the skills

[@DIYGarageNation]

Take your time if you decide to do it: it should only take 2 hours max if you go slow.

[@Genno1012]

I read about doing this with 2k clear but overtime apparently it starts cracking and the headlights are ruined

[@DIYGarageNation]

I did this 11 months ago. They look brand new still. Zero cracking and they are completely clear.

[@Genno1012]

@@DIYGarageNationnice maybe I’ll try on my 90s Honda

[@Gtown1981]

I believe there is a specific 2k clear for headlights.

[@DIYGarageNation]

@@Gtown1981 the clear coat I linked works perfectly. After 1 year they still look brand new. I’m about to restore the headlights on another car, I’ll post a video about it as well. Plus an update on these Infiniti headlights

[@victornguyen3949]

You know what. It could be you applied so much and make it thick. Spray gently and do not so close. My car use to like it. Peel off but it take like 4 years.

[@43rocket]

i used that meguire crap, only one cote, the crap made my lights glazy! garbage. how long will this last more than 3 years!

[@43rocket]

will this 2x dry transparent?????

[@DIYGarageNation]

Did this to the headlights over 1 year ago. They are still like new, super clear. No other method I've tried has worked. Follow the instructions carefully. When you spray the 2k clear coat, do LIGHT coats, no need to do heavy coats.

[@DIYGarageNation]

Yes, 2k clearcoat dries completely transparent, make sure to follow the steps.

[@43rocket]

@@DIYGarageNation WHAT IF YOU HEAVY COAT ONLY ONCE WILL IT DRY TRANSPARENT???

[@43rocket]

MEGUIRS CRAP