LS - 4th Gen (2007-2017) Discussion topics related to the current flagship models LS460, LS460L and LS600H

Headlight Lenses

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Old 04-28-19, 11:15 AM
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Richardgil
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Default Headlight Lenses

Anyone hear about waxing your headlight lenses to protect against hazing and discoloration?
Old 04-28-19, 11:20 AM
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jdanielca
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Originally Posted by Richardgil
Anyone hear about waxing your headlight lenses to protect against hazing and discoloration?
plexus plastic polish , also protects, or just aerospace 303 it . Depending on wax it might not be that easy to buff off
Old 04-28-19, 12:02 PM
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jkittlesen
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Second 303
Old 04-28-19, 12:41 PM
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Higgie
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Jup, 303




Last edited by Higgie; 04-28-19 at 12:44 PM.
Old 04-28-19, 09:00 PM
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dlbuckls10
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Originally Posted by Richardgil
Anyone hear about waxing your headlight lenses to protect against hazing and discoloration?
I've been noticing some serious hazing on many older LS's but my 2010 lenses are still clear due to the fact that I have a garage and my lenses are not exposed to a lot of sunlight.
Old 04-28-19, 09:14 PM
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PwrdbyM
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Just like paint you can go very light on headlights with a fine polish or heavy with sandpaper depending on severity of the lens. Meguiars actually makes a UV protectant solution for headlight lenses. I have no doubt these products, 303 included, work as intended day 1, however they wear off very quickly, so without repeated applications they’re useless. (I love 303 for interior applications). There are plenty of ceramic coatings you can put on lenses that will keep the hydrophobic properties (durability) and provide UV protection.

Old 04-29-19, 01:05 AM
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Originally Posted by FunFact
You are making an inappropriate connection. Underneath clear coat is paint, which does not oxidize like the plastic of headlights. You CANNOT simply sand it, because you will ruin the UV protection. I have ample experience with this, and what you are saying is blatantly false about light polishing.
I’m not sure at what point you think I disagree with that. I’m saying, depending on the severity of the lens hazing you can run the spectrum of needing a light polish all the way to sanding. The analogy being you use light polish all the way to wet sanding to get rid of oxidation/swirls etc on clear coats. I agree either way you remove the top layer of uv protection from a headlight.
Old 04-29-19, 07:08 PM
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aypues
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you need to have them refinished and then covered in Xpel film. 10 yr warranty.
Old 04-30-19, 11:06 AM
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ALLBZNS
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To answer your question, yes, I've heard of waxing headlights to protect from hazing and discoloration. You'll want to apply it after coating the headlights with some type of UV protectant paint. Think of it like waxing your paint after a detail to protect it from water spots, bird droppings, insects, industrial fallout, etc.

I recently did my own headlight resto as they were heavily cloudy and yellowing. Now they look much better and clear, however have that orange peel effect from the clear coat paint. Does anyone know how to remedy that orange peel look? Thank in advance.
Old 04-30-19, 11:23 AM
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RX469
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Originally Posted by ALLBZNS
To answer your question, yes, I've heard of waxing headlights to protect from hazing and discoloration. You'll want to apply it after coating the headlights with some type of UV protectant paint. Think of it like waxing your paint after a detail to protect it from water spots, bird droppings, insects, industrial fallout, etc.

I recently did my own headlight resto as they were heavily cloudy and yellowing. Now they look much better and clear, however have that orange peel effect from the clear coat paint. Does anyone know how to remedy that orange peel look? Thank in advance.
What type of clear coat paint did you use and how many layers did you apply. Can you share some pics.
Old 04-30-19, 12:08 PM
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ALLBZNS
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Originally Posted by RX469
What type of clear coat paint did you use and how many layers did you apply. Can you share some pics.
I used Rustoleum 2X Clear Gloss, making sure it said non-yellowing and UV protection. Applied 3 coats with 15 min. allowed dry time between each. Usually 5 min. would be sufficient but the night I did it was very humid. The pictures I currently have are during the night and my garage lighting is crappy. I will share pics as soon as I resolve the orange peel effect, which I think I realize I answered my own question in my original response to the OP! LOL.

I'm going to try and wet sand with the 2000grit, dry, and apply the carnauba wax to see if it removes the orange peel.
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