Thread: Do headlights have a clear coat on them?

My headlights are peeling off a surface on the top like a clear coat. What's that?

Yeah they have a "clear coat" per say, on the 04+ cars they always start to peel there and then spread the rest of the housing.

Most people just buy news ones when its gone that far.

Perhaps you could mask off the bottom section, paint the top part black, then clean and clear coat the whole lense to further protect it all.

Thanks, oh crap.

I thought they had a clear GEL coat on them.

Try and wetsand and buff them see if that helps

There's a light UV coating on them that comes standard but it tends to fail rather quick. Even if you wetsand and polish then you need to put something on then to protect them. I usually use a mineral wax/ paint thinner combo and have had success in the past with mineral wax/ paint thinner combo the yellowing. Or you could have a body shop clear them that should last way longer.

I have been waxing them.

Originally Posted by camopaint0707

You can also wax and polish the headlights. That helps protect them for longer.

http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti...t-coating.html

Another solution.

Originally Posted by REDCOMPG

There's a light UV coating on them that comes standard but it tends to fail rather quick. Even if you wetsand and polish then you need to put something on then to protect them. I usually use a mineral wax/ paint thinner combo and have had success in the past with mineral wax/ paint thinner combo the yellowing. Or you could have a body shop clear them that should last way longer.

Why do you need something to protect them? Not all factory lights have clear coat on them and they still hold up

I think the yellowing is more of a issue with plastic headlights vs glass or it could be that different manuf. use different plastic material. Idk the specific to it but from what I've experienced on my car along with friends and family that if you put something on them it slows down the uv coating failing and yellowing rather quick. As easy as wetsanding and polishing is I still rather not have to do it to often as long as I can help it.

Edit: especially if the car is not garaged kept

Thanks for the tips.

I have used this kit before. It works pretty good. Give it a try. You want to put some type of sealer on them or they will turn yellow since there is no type of UV protection on them.

Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit : Amazon.com : Automotive

SYLVANIA Headlight Restoration Kit - YouTube