Headlight cleaning/care...

[turbomangt]

Speaking of head light lenses, I was washing my car last night and I noticed a nice big stone chip cut into the plastic head light lense. errrrrrrrrr. Now I have to see if my glass shop has any filler for plastic similar to epoxy repair on glass. No matter how carefull you are, if you drive your car, S--T is going to happen. I might put on some covers if I get this fixed. Gary

[beebs]

quote:Originally posted by Sci-Fi

... a 3M urethane film and is or can be also used as a clear bra...

OK, I've read about this stuff, but can't really see how it might actually work or be applied: I'm thinking it's gotta be like sticky plastic-wrap, right? how the heck do you get it on curvy surfaces without it being bunched up or folded? I've never actually SEEN it as a "clear bra", so I also wonder if there's like a "line of demarcation" where you can obviously tell where the stuff stops.

beebs

[beebs]

quote:Originally posted by kbshadow... Mothers plastic polish...

I like Mother's Chrome Polish, so I'll keep an eye out for their plastic polish as well. Thx!

beebs

[Sci-Fi]

quote:Originally posted by beebs

OK, I've read about this stuff, but can't really see how it might actually work or be applied: I'm thinking it's gotta be like sticky plastic-wrap, right? how the heck do you get it on curvy surfaces without it being bunched up or folded? I've never actually SEEN it as a "clear bra", so I also wonder if there's like a "line of demarcation" where you can obviously tell where the stuff stops.

beebs

Yes, it is a sticky plastic wrap but is removable and replaceable. The material is 9 mil thick and you won't notice it as a clear bra from a distance. 3M recommends going to a professional installer to get a smooth, wrinkle free application. The surface needs to be well lubricated when applying the film and is squeegeed over the "curvy" parts to get a clean, wrinkle-free fit. BMW, Porsche, Corvette, etc owners swear by it and they have a 9,000 mile joke about when the front (some even cover the lower side and rear) of their cars start looking like it was sand blasted. Believe Forrest, of Mother's fame, used it on his V-6 PT on the last Power Tour.

StonGard Light is what I was talking about to protect your headlights. It's 1/16" thick and can absorb/protect against most impacts. Can read more about it here: http://www.stongard.com/sgcontent/what_sgl.asp
Moss Motors sells a pair for about $33.96 http://www.cruiserbits.com/Shop/View...eIndexID=33083

Cleaning and maintaining your lens, read the link I posted on my 1st post. There are many wax manufacturers that have plastic care products in their product lineup (polish, cleaner, and detailer): Meguiars, Mothers, Renova, Plexus, etc. (the latter 2 products are favorites of the motorcycle crowd).

[PToholics Anonymous]

Okay, 'suppose you have some yellowed lens...is there something that will renew them like original? (Not my PT, but for a truck)

[Sci-Fi]

quote:Originally posted by PToholics Anonymous

Okay, 'suppose you have some yellowed lens...is there something that will renew them like original? (Not my PT, but for a truck)

Read this for more information about the basic process: http://store.yahoo.com/classic-motor...plasheadl.html

[PToholics Anonymous]

Thanks Sci-Fi....think that'll do it.

[beebs]

quote:
StonGard Light is what I was talking about to protect your headlights. It's 1/16" thick and can absorb/protect against most impacts. Can read more about it here: http://www.stongard.com/sgcontent/what_sgl.asp
Moss Motors sells a pair for about $33.96 http://www.cruiserbits.com/Shop/View...eIndexID=33083

Ah...now from the pic they show, it looks like a rigid "shell" that adheres to lens itself...that seems more feasible than a sticky Saran-wrap sorta thing.

quote:Cleaning and maintaining your lens, read the link I posted on my 1st post.

Visited the link, but since it seemed to be geared toward already-damaged lenses, didn't pay much attention to the product angle. Prudence is in such pristine condition, I am more looking for a "preventative" rather than a "curative", and this StonGard seems to fit that bill....will investigate further!

beebs

[Sci-Fi]

For preventive measures, all you need is Plexus Plastic Protectant, or Meguiar's #10 Plastic Polish, or Mother's Plastic Polish. 303 Aerospace Protectant is a product you already have in your detailing collection and that should work fine. The earlier link shows an additional or beginning step using Renovo Plastic Polish to remove any yellowing or fogged/cloudy conditions on the lens. Plexus is usually a favorite among motorcyclists for protecting plastic windscreens, helmet visors, instrument panels, and their plastic turn signal covers plus works well on plastic protective film, headlight covers, and plexiglass. Plexus is basically a spray and wipe product, very easy to use.
An alternative would be to use a non-abrasive wax (carnuaba or synthetic). Modern waxes (and synthetic's like Zaino, Klasse, etc.) usually contain a UV protectant in the formula that will help prevent yellowing.

Just do a search for "plastic protectant" and you will see the many products available to you.