UV headlight lacquer

allandwf

Member
Messages
10,958
Mine were restored in the past, and looked ok until sealant was applied, looked awful, but may have been badly applied. Not by me I hasten to add.
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,654
This was discussed fairly recently..
My understanding is that acrylic doesnt yellow with UV light. If they are polycarbonate, they will but that they will also not polish at all well.
So as i see it. They are acrylic and the poor lens degradation is the lacquer ( assuming they are lacqered) But they shouldnt need a lacquer in fact !
Or they are polycarbonate and the lacquer has degraded and it needs removed, carefully, and reapplying.

My money is on acrylic...Acrylic makes a better lens, is cheaper to produce, and can be polished to remove the scars of life..
Anyone know for sure acrylic vs polycarbonate >
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
I have been using Meguairs for a few years now and I am totally sold on their products minus the latest line in white bottles

For their UV clearcoat aerosol to work and give a nice finish it needs a rough surface which is done by the pads they provide in the kit so it's a bit of an all in product I guess.

Looked at some detailing forums and while I have not found clearcoat spray however there are a few products that will do the job but it is all down to the finish on the lens:
http://www.motorgeek.co.uk/cgi-bin/ecom.cgi?Command=ShowProduct&db_pid=1030
https://carpro.uk.com/products/dlux
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/gyeon-q2-trim-cat21.html

With the clearcoat aerosol I did know what it was called at one point (bodyshop product name) but I have forgotten and I am struggling to find out where I got its actual name and meguiars have craftily made the ingredients ambiguous. I think with the name of the actual product you can get it via trade outlets as I am certain bodyshops in the UK use it.
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,654
Anyone care to answer the question re polycarbonate vs acrylic used for the lens of my MY2005 4200 Coupe GT...?
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
I asked a friend of mine who is in plastics. Acrylic doesn’t yellow in UV light, so it’s polycarbonate.
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,654
Mmm...they went with the more expensive material that is adversely affected by UV. It scratches more easily & makes a less clear lens in the first place....?
What do I know ? :D
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Yes, but it is affected less by temperature and is more impact resistant. It seems most manufacturers go for polycarbonate.
 

EVOeng

Junior Member
Messages
220
Just have them wrapped in self healing PPF. It has UV protection and looks tidy.