Reconditioning lenses question...
 

Has anyone who has reconditioned their headlamp lenses seen this streak (I marked the second picture so you can get a reference to the area I am speaking of)...

It looks like it may be in the inside of the lens? Anyway, no matter how much I wet sand it with 1000 grit, it does not change.

I am thinking that since it is an ultra clear spot I should just leave it be and move on to the 2500 sanding.

Any thoughts?

Well, whatever it was, it can't be seen anymore...
 

Right lens completed. Not a great job, but it will do for now. Compared to the untouched passenger side.

Good job, man! Both my headlights look like your passenger side. How long did it take you to clean up the driver side?

As far as the streak, I don't have it so I can't provide feedback.

Thanks,

I worked the 1000 grit for about 10 minutes total time.
I worked the 2500 grit for about 2 minutes total.

I think the result looks good in the picture, but the lens is still ten years old, so it will never look as good as new cars I see with new crystal clear (like fresh glass) lenses. But it's a lot better than it was.

I think I will may try jewelers rouge on the passenger side as a final step before retreating.

Nice!

If you do try the Jewelers rouge post the final results.

Here's a video DIY for the 3M kit. You can never really wet sand and buff long enough! Just get it to your liking...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD0YKYTb9IQ

Is there any coating to put on after the sanding and polishing are done that will help slow down deterioration again?

Yes. It comes with the kit.

Ah...suppose I bought a range of sandpapers from 1500-4000 and wet sanded the lenses. No kit. What should I use to protect them after polishing?

Sorry. I have no idea what the chemical makeup of the protector is. The kit costs about five dollars. I would just get that.

I saw some YouTube videos recommending clear spray paint for plastic with UV protection (rustoleum), followed by wax. My lenses are already clear fro wet sanding, so I just need the final protection coats.

Well, that didn’t work out. I used the clear spray paint recommended in the video but it checked and crackled as it dried, leaving a mess I now need to resand. I talked to a body shop friend and he said the best thing is to leave them alone after sanding, although a high temp wax (like for wheels) or sealer with uv protection is fine. Thought you all would like to avoid my mistake!

I'm curious... How much did the wax and spray paint cost you?

I have wax that I use for my wheels (actually a sealant) that can handle the heat from brakes, etc, so no incremental cost. The rattle can was about $3 and can be used for other non-automotive stuff, but was basically a waste of time/money. It would be nice to find a permanent uv protective coating for the lenses - otherwise the repair will be an every 2-3 year project.

So, why not spend the five dollars to get the kit that has the UV protection in it?

You will protect the lenses and maybe the packet will list what is in it so that next time you can just buy that protectant?

Two reasons:
I have everything I need except a truly permanent coating.
I am stubborn.
Maybe next refresh I will change my attitude and approach.

The 3m kit with the UV protection made my headlights look like crap after 6-8 months of sitting outside. They turned yellow, but still somewhat clear.

I suggest using a coating such as OptiCoat or gtechniq, or any other similar coating, they claim atleast 2-3 years of protection from the elements on any hard surface.

Our 2001 E53 is 16+ years old and not exactly a garage queen, but the lenses still look damn good, imo.

And, most of the ~115k miles have come on long road trips hauling azz up and down the interstates, which often are not kind 'front face' miles. Maybe we just got lucky...
GL, mD

David...

How frequently do you wash your cars. Is it more "as needed" or more "religiously?"

Also, how much time do/did your Xs spend in the PNW as opposed to the Carolinas and Florida?

I ask because it is my suspicion is that most of the lens damage comes not from rocks or similar strikes, or from age, but from the number of bugs being busted. When I was living in Bellingham, WA and in Green Bay, WI, I believe the lenses "aged" at a much slower rate than when I lived in NC and SC.

Here in SC, I notice when I have left a squashed bug on the car longer than the normal time between washes, I see a yellowing of the lens where big bigs were made into ex-bugs.

Car has never been in PNW...
It was purchased in NY, moved it to western NC in late 2001, and other than a few 'winter seasons' in SW FL, it is my DD in western NC ~7 months a year.

It is sometimes in our Mtn home garage and sometimes it is parked in drive.

In its 17+ yr life span and ~115k miles, I suspect 3/4ths plus of those miles have come from our umptyseven road trips, esp 3+ times a summer to NJ/NY to see the kids, all interstate hauling azz with that usual debris and flotsam/jetsam.

It used to get washed 'regularly'; in its dotage & my lessening vigor means it gets hand washed thoroughly a few times a year, and Zaino'd once a year.

Wasn't being critical of anyone's lens 'maintenance'. Ours simply hasn't faded much, though I have owned cars in the past decade and a half that have fade/hazed considerably.

I never (even for a moment) thought you were being critical.. .Just wondering what your trucks' relationship to bugs was. I'd thought I once read a post of yours that mentioned the PNW... and that - from my experience wasn't a very buggy area.

Anyway, your 2001 looks great still. Makes me fell that I need to get off my duff and do a thorough wax job.