headlight covers

Discussion in 'Detailing and Car Care' started by pinewood, Jan 25, 2018.

  1. pinewood
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    pinewood

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    My driveway is West facing, and a result the summer sun beats down on the cars headlights for several hours in the Summer months. I'm convinced this contributed to the headlamp lenses becoming opaque on my E60. To avoid that I'm looking for some sort of headlight cover to shield them from the harmful UV rays.
    A search of Amazon and Ebay hasn't been successful, so I'm wondering if anyone has seen any such device, or what material I could buy and ask the MIL to stitch together :)

    Edit: The car doesn't move for a couple of days a week, as I work from home
     
  2. snrbrtsn
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    snrbrtsn WARLORD

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    I’d suggest a coating of wax every couple of months
    I would have opted for polish, however the majority is filler heavy and would show any imperfection and Deposit the residue

    Whilst there’s umpteen semi permanent products, I think you need something easy on, perhaps poorboys natty paste, Autoglyms HD (or UHD) Wax.
    Gyeon do a range of longer lasting plastic protection, though it’s semi permanent & I wouldn’t want to build up the layers
    Personally, I use any old wax that’s in Garage once I’ve moved onto ANother product.
    Tail lights and headlights get a coating! Think I have Poorboys Ex-P on light just now...
     
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  3. pinewood
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    pinewood

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  4. slim_boy_fat
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    slim_boy_fat WARLORD Site Supporter

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    @pinewood The units on my e60 were so opaque as to be verging on dangerous at night, I bit the bullet and wet sanded them, following up with the Megs headlight protection stuff. Lasting quite well so far. Iirc, I did a write up at the time, but the results were outstanding.

    I have a bottle of a new 'nano' coating to try on them [eBay, from the 'Land of Everything'] when the weather warms up enough to allow application.
     
  5. pinewood
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    pinewood

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  6. bishbosh
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    bishbosh WARLORD

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  7. Cotswold BMW
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    Cotswold BMW WARLORD Site Sponsor

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    My kayak is made out of a plastic which is sensitive to sunlight. We use aerospace protectant spray to stop the UV rays harming the surface.

    [​IMG]
     
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  8. pinewood
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    pinewood

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  9. slim_boy_fat
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    slim_boy_fat WARLORD Site Supporter

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    I'll have a poke about and see if it I can find it again.
     
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  10. Cotswold BMW
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    Cotswold BMW WARLORD Site Sponsor

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    Not really, but it does leave the surface looking a bit glossy like it's been waxed.
    I wouldn't use it on painted surfaces or glass. Just plastic
     
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  11. Carl W
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    Carl W

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    I know I can be a bit naive sometimes but who or what's a MIL?

    Kindest Regards
    Carl.
     
  12. Cotswold BMW
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    Cotswold BMW WARLORD Site Sponsor

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    Mother in law ?
     
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  13. Carl W
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    Carl W

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    Thank you Ed,:)
    Just got in from a ride on the Malverns, my brain must be frozen.

    Kindest Regards
    Carl.
     
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  14. pinewood
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    pinewood

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    How far, road or MTB?
    (reminds me to start a cycling thread again)
     
  15. pinewood
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    pinewood

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  16. Carl W
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    Carl W

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    MTB, just up to the Beacon (highest point) and back through the town only about 5 miles but a good climb as it's 425 metres tall.
    Trying to get out at least twice a week at the moment then when spring arrives I'll be ready to go.

    As for the road bike that is tucked up with a layer of protective wax waiting for the spring.

    Kindest Regards
    Carl.
     
  17. Mieke
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    Mieke WARLORD Site Supporter

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    I use Plexus Polish on the light covers. It's used on aircraft windows and is a US product. Highly regarded in the aerospace industry. I purchased mine for around £10 some years ago for using on my motorcycle screen and helmet visor, and it does work very well. But I've checked online and prices are now much higher, so I suspect the supply has dried up in the UK.

    The cheapest I've found is from LAS Aerospace https://www.lasaero.com/products/article/M0375139X

    There is a cheaper equivalent called Clearview http://www.transair.co.uk/sp+Clear-View-Plexiglass-Polish-Plexus-Replacement+3565
     
  18. slim_boy_fat
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    slim_boy_fat WARLORD Site Supporter

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    Yep.
     
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  19. Merc? No. BM!
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    Merc? No. BM! WARLORD Site Supporter

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    You're not the only one @Carl W . I actually thought @pinewood had left out the last letter... :oops: :D
     
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  20. slim_boy_fat
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    slim_boy_fat WARLORD Site Supporter

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    Behave, now! :D
     

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