Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating Test

WaxAddict

WaxAddict

New member
Hi all. I restored the headlights on a recently-acquired 2007 328i. They were bad. I used the 3M restoration kit to decent effect:

attachment.php



I masked (30 minutes) then sprayed (< 1 minute) the Meguiar`s Keep Clear Headlight Coating per instructions. Results were mixed. One light came out fine, the other was unacceptable. It was cloudy and irregular. The next day I lightly sanded it with 3000 grit wet, then polished with a blue pad and Menz 3800. This fixed the cloudiness and high spots. I re-applied the coating and it worked fine this time.

attachment.php


attachment.php


There`s a slight yellow tint to these cell-phone images. Disregard that. The coating did NOT yellow the lenses. You can, however, "tell it`s there". it`s no big deal on this car, but it`s not something I`d use on an expensive or prized show car. Instead, I would just apply a good sealant once a month. However, this is supposed to last a year ------ > we`ll see!
 

Attachments

  • light_resto.jpg
    light_resto.jpg
    54.9 KB · Views: 150
  • light_after_coat.jpg
    light_after_coat.jpg
    556 KB · Views: 151
  • light_after_coat_2.jpg
    light_after_coat_2.jpg
    553.6 KB · Views: 151
Be interested to see how it looks in a year. Accumulator`s pronouncements about OCW aside, I have never had anything last for more than 6 months on cars where I`ve had to sand the factory coating off, even cars that aren`t outside all the time.

I did notice the factory coating starting to fail at the top of one headlight that I thought was holding up ok, I used Opti-Lens on that; we`ll see if that retards the failure. Opti-Lens sure doesn`t last for me on cars where the factory coating has been removed, even with multiple coats.

Refresh my memory, is this Meg`s product more of a "paint"? The metal can looks pretty serious.
 
Setec, it’s not a paint. More of a coating. I think they aerosolize it to have it apply evenly. I would have preferred more of a traditional coating experience with a suede applicator, etc, but this is a consumer product, and they can’t assume we know how to apply coatings.

By the way, I forgot to mention, it’s less than $8. A bargain if it works. You can do 3 cars with it easy.
 
Here`s a clear photo of the restored and coated lens, after two days of curing. I`ll update later in the year. If you`re reading this by late summer 2020 and I haven`t updated it, please send me a message. I`m very likely to forget.

attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • restored_coated_bmwlight.jpg
    restored_coated_bmwlight.jpg
    812.2 KB · Views: 124
Thanks for posting this.

Back in November 2019, I did one light with a Megs kit, and the other light with the Sonax kit. Without question, I prefrred the Sonax experience.
Short version: It`s more user-friendly (or, kind of Accumulator-proof) and the results were better.

I`ll take pics when I go move my car in about half an hour. Just over 3 months, and I think I see a slight difference, for the worse, on the Megs side.
 
JustJesus said:
Thanks for posting this.

Back in November 2019, I did one light with a Megs kit ...
Click to expand...

It`d be great to see your comparison! For accuracy`s sake, please note that I did not use the Meg`s "kit". I used the 3M kit, combined with some extra finessing on my part, then the Meg`s coating spray, which is available by itself.
 
I got about six months out of the Megs headlight spray when I tried it out a couple years ago.

I did notice it appears to have dried pretty smooth and transparent. One thing which drove me nuts the couple times I tried it was the product becoming a orange-peel like when it dried. For me, when it was first sprayed on everything was great. However, as the product dried it took on a textured appearance. I had this happen twice, so I moved on to a different product.
 
Desertnate said:
I got about six months out of the Megs headlight spray when I tried it out a couple years ago.
[...] One thing which drove me nuts the couple times I tried it was the product becoming a orange-peel like when it dried. ....
Click to expand...

Yes I have a bit of that on the right lens. The left lens, pictured above, is nice but took two attempts with sanding between coats. But then it came out great.

When I do this again, I’m going to wait much longer between coats than the suggested 3 to 5 minutes.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
I meant to mention this before...I see you`re all ready for the SoCal winter with those knobby snow tires....what`s that about?
Click to expand...

Desertnate said:
I didn`t notice that! Too funny. Prepping for a season of SCCA Rally Cross?
Click to expand...

tom p. said:
Skiing at Big Bear Mtn. and Mammoth Mtn!
Click to expand...

SoCal winter is essentially rain. At least in my neck of the woods, in Los Angeles area (South Gate area).

The tires are the prior version BFGs All Terrains, actually. Some years back I decided to embark on a funny/crazy transformation of the Little Yaris that Could. This car has done: daily driving, autoX, and short track (go-kart track!) racing. Even used it to transport car parts and once, a futon bed and frame. Yup. Crazy.

I wanted to lift it a little, and hit some dirt trails with it. And I did hit some trails, sans lift.

After some testing (videos can be found at Off Road Yaris) I realized I *needed* a limited slip diff. Figured that I`d get a steeper gear ratio while I was at it. Plus, a concoction of mixed parts to get a small lift.

In the end, I decided all that stuff would be too expensive, and used the money and bought a stock Jeep Cherokee Sport.

Crazy idea....off road yaris.
 
JustJesus said:
SoCal winter is essentially rain. At least in my neck of the woods, in Los Angeles area (South Gate area).

The tires are the prior version BFGs All Terrains, actually. Some years back I decided to embark on a funny/crazy transformation of the Little Yaris that Could. This car has done: daily driving, autoX, and short track (go-kart track!) racing. Even used it to transport car parts and once, a futon bed and frame. Yup. Crazy.

I wanted to lift it a little, and hit some dirt trails with it. And I did hit some trails, sans lift.

After some testing (videos can be found at Off Road Yaris) I realized I *needed* a limited slip diff. Figured that I`d get a steeper gear ratio while I was at it. Plus, a concoction of mixed parts to get a small lift.

In the end, I decided all that stuff would be too expensive, and used the money and bought a stock Jeep Cherokee Sport.

Crazy idea....off road yaris.
Click to expand...

Thought maybe you were driving through Compton with all those pot holes lol.
 
JustJesus said:
SoCal winter is essentially rain. At least in my neck of the woods, in Los Angeles area (South Gate area).

The tires are the prior version BFGs All Terrains, actually. Some years back I decided to embark on a funny/crazy transformation of the Little Yaris that Could. This car has done: daily driving, autoX, and short track (go-kart track!) racing. Even used it to transport car parts and once, a futon bed and frame. Yup. Crazy.

I wanted to lift it a little, and hit some dirt trails with it. And I did hit some trails, sans lift.

After some testing (videos can be found at Off Road Yaris) I realized I *needed* a limited slip diff. Figured that I`d get a steeper gear ratio while I was at it. Plus, a concoction of mixed parts to get a small lift.

In the end, I decided all that stuff would be too expensive, and used the money and bought a stock Jeep Cherokee Sport.

Crazy idea....off road yaris.
Click to expand...

I love it.

Since you`ve gone this far, you should look up RallyX events. They are essentially autocross events on dirt/mud/grass rather than pavement. I`ve never done it, but it looks like a lot of fun in the right vehicle.
 
10+ Month Follow-Up. Still looking good, could be better, but I`m OK with it. Car is outside 24-7 in the Florida sun. I haven`t had to touch them up, and haven`t hit them with the polish. The right one (Driver`s side) looks better then the left.

BMW_Front-XL.png
 
JustJesus said:
Crazy idea....off road yaris.
Click to expand...

Not at all crazy! The Toyota Yaris TDR Ironman Steward Baja Edition. Complete with a Twin turbo Supra engine, lifted suspension, and 4 x 4, and roll cage.
If you saw it in person, you`d swear it looks like Ironman`s truck with a Yaris body attached and bumpers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top