Team-BHP - DIY: Headlamp restoration using Clear-Coat

For those who own older cars with headlamps which are either expensive or hard to find in the market, this DIY restoration may be helpful.

And in this case, as with most Maruti cars (except the older cars with SGP), the spares come at a reasonable price. A pair of headlamps for swift cost around 3000Rs, I guess. However I didn't want to paint the bezel again or replace the bezel of new one with the current one. And hence decided to try clear coat over the headlamps to restore its shine.

Things you need:

Spray can (Clearcoat)
600 grit sand paper
2000 grit sandpaper (optional)
Wax polish (optional)
Wax and grease remover (or anything similar)
Masking Tape
Cotton waste for cleaning.

From this

DIY: Headlamp restoration using Clear-Coat-img_20170617_133720.jpg

To this

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Spray can (Cost :Rs 125)

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600 Grit and 2000 Grit Sandpapers.

How it's done?

1) Remove the headlamp assembly. If you don't want to remove the headlamp, mask the painted areas around the headlamp using masking tape.

2) Wet sand the lamp surface with 600 grit sand paper till the surface turns milky (as shown in the picture).

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3) Now clean the surface with wax and grease remover and allow it to dry.

4) Paint the clear coat. Spray from a distance of about 8-12 inches. Allow it to dry for 10 minutes between each coats. For better results, apply several thin coats. Avoid thicker coats as it may lead to paint runs and drips. Don't bother about the paint finish during the first coat. Ensure the clear coat is sprayed evenly on to the whole surface.

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First Coat

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Second coat

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Third coat.

5) Allow it to cure for another 24hrs.

6) If you want to remove the 'orange peel effect' (which I haven't done yet), wet sand with 2000 grit paper and use wax polish.
Ensure that this step is done only after the paint has cured completely.

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Here is the result.

Special Thanks: ChrisFix

Thank you everyone.

Arjun C Mohan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashtoncastelino (Post 5173684)

Any specific Clear coat is to be bought or any random clear coat will do ? I was searching for UV protected clear coat but couldn't find it at all. Any recommend brand or product ?

A 2k clearcoat will be best. There is a brand on Amazon called Samurai Kuroboshi that has this, they have a website too.
I had done this DIY during the first lockdown but had to take shortcuts by only sanding the area in front of the headlight bulb. Turned out decently except for one spot where I had to redo it a bit after a crow crapped on it before it was fully dry :Frustrati . I had used ordinary clearcoat which i had handy at the time.
Now however the other parts of the light have yellowed further and stand out. Planning to redo it again with the 2k clearcoat this time.