User 41924

I asked a person I respect for his knowledge regarding car care, if the same synthetic sealer I use on my paint also works to protect the headlight covers from oxidation. I don't my headlights to fog up or turn yellow, as you often see on older (or uncared for) cars. His response surprised me. He said that modern paint is essentially a plastic, and a good synthetic sealer should bond to the plastic (?) headlight covers as well as it does to the paint.

Really? Paint is essentially plastic? Can I use the same sealer for the headlights, or should I use a sealer that is designed for them? Is there any difference?

He also said that sealers don’t bond to the “chromed” bits (grille surround, lettering, etc) very well, due to the “chrome” coating (which is NOT plastic). This is a little disappointing to me, as I would like to protect the chrome from the magnesium chloride they put on our streets in the winter. Mag Chloride seems to attack these parts first, and now I’m not sure how to protect them.

Any thoughts?

LeX2K

You can characterize just about any type of polymer as "plastic" so yes, you could say some automotive paint is indeed plastic. I have used lacquer acrylic paints quite a bit, which is a synthetic polymer. Not sure what types of paints are being applied to new cars.

Guitarman

Most OEM paints are still urethanes, which in itself is also a form of plastic. Car bumpers in fact, are made of urethane, hence the "give" and flexibility.

97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

Just wax your headlights every few months.