Aftermarket Headlight Peeling

[YamahaR86]

I had replaced my headlights with after market ones (Spec-D) 6 months ago. The headlights started to slowly lose it's UV coating and peel. I did some research on the issue and apparently it's pretty common for aftermarket.

OEM does peel eventually but it takes longer, even "brand name" headlights like Spyder does it as well.

It's pretty embarrassing every time I looked at it and considered replacing the lens with OEM ones. I found a couple of threads saying to use the "Headlight restorer kit" and I finally had some time off this week to do it. It pretty much involves sanding, polishing, and last is to apply a new UV clear coat.

Can see the results below and I'm happy about it.

[go_a_way1]

Originally Posted by YamahaR86

I had replaced my headlights with after market ones (Spec-D) 6 months ago. The headlights started to slowly lose it's UV coating and peel. I did some research on the issue and apparently it's pretty common for aftermarket.

OEM does peel eventually but it takes longer, even "brand name" headlights like Spyder does it as well.

It's pretty embarrassing every time I looked at it and considered replacing the lens with OEM ones. I found a couple of threads saying to use the "Headlight restorer kit" and I finally had some time off this week to do it. It pretty much involves sanding, polishing, and last is to apply a new UV clear coat.

Can see the results below and I'm happy about it.

I will most definitely be doing this in the spring. What kit did yoy buy?? My headlights are peeling too haha. Thanks for sharing

[YamahaR86]

Originally Posted by go_a_way1

I will most definitely be doing this in the spring. What kit did yoy buy?? My headlights are peeling too haha. Thanks for sharing

I went with the [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429NKWK/"]Sylvania 46135387715SYLVANIA Headlight Restoration Kit[/ame] for $20

Really easy to follow as I've never done this sort of thing before. Kit includes everything and I got it because it was recommended and it has an included UV Clear Coat that other kits don't.

Steps are tape, prep with the spray, wet sand with 400 grit, 1000 grit, 2000 grit, hand polish with the liquid, prep and then clear coat it.

Took me a few hours because I wanted to be thorough but I think it doesn't take long since it's mostly for the hazy/yellow headlights and ours are just peeling the old UV coat.

[_gt86_user]

They will keep peeling, even more so when you continually polish them the lens they use are not the best..never had them but worked there for years so I would see all the defects and even the ones that worked well always peeled pretty quick even if the car was garaged.

[Hawker271]

Originally Posted by YamahaR86

I had replaced my headlights with after market ones (Spec-D) 6 months ago. The headlights started to slowly lose it's UV coating and peel. I did some research on the issue and apparently it's pretty common for aftermarket.

OEM does peel eventually but it takes longer, even "brand name" headlights like Spyder does it as well.

It's pretty embarrassing every time I looked at it and considered replacing the lens with OEM ones. I found a couple of threads saying to use the "Headlight restorer kit" and I finally had some time off this week to do it. It pretty much involves sanding, polishing, and last is to apply a new UV clear coat.

Can see the results below and I'm happy about it.

How is it holding up! Mine are peeling so bad too. What's the worst that could happen if they keep peeling

[8RZ]

Prepare to repeat this step every 4 months.

If you can take them to a shop to get them clear-coated it will last much longer.

[Jasper]

Originally Posted by 8RZ

Prepare to repeat this step every 4 months.

If you can take them to a shop to get them clear-coated it will last much longer.

Tip: 2K Clear Coat is what shops/manufacturers use.

[HKz]

my winjets became quite yellow in 2 years and that was after restoring them myself a couple of times after which I've just given up lol so yep it won't be long especially if you live in a sunny state. I would pay extra for aftermarket ones if they came with glass covers lol..but then again considering how many windshields i've gone through, maybe that isn't such a a great idea xD

[RToyo86]

Originally Posted by Jasper

Tip: 2K Clear Coat is what shops/manufacturers use.

+1 for 2k. For a high impact zone 1k clear sucks. It's way to soft and will get peppered by debris and look like crap quickly.

[Decep]

Coat them and maybe PPF them.

I just applied Cerakote ceramic coating to my OEM ones, see how it holds up. I wish i'd have done PPF but by the time i'd bought my car it was 3 years old anyways.