Headlight polishing

Over time, the optical properties of the headlamp are violated, it loses transparency, dulls and dims. As a result, the light flux loses intensity and as a consequence - the level of driving safety decreases. Headlight polishing is the process of restoring the transparency of car optics. We do not recommend polishing the headlights yourself, as it can lead to irreparable consequences.

Modern headlights are made of plastic (transparent polycarbonate or acrylic). Plastic is not as fragile as glass, but more susceptible to the damaging effects of UV rays. Therefore, plastic headlights are coated with a protective layer of varnish. After a while the protective coating wears off, scratches, becomes yellow and cloudy. This leads to a reduction in the intensity of the light output. The reduced light output causes the headlamp to overheat. As a consequence, micro-cracks form on the plastic - the first sign of an irreversible process of destruction of the headlamp.

Sand, gravel, corrosive chemicals... Even small particles of sand leave microscopic chips on the surface of headlights that may not even be visible to the human eye. What then to say about gravel and large stones, which leave deep chips (especially on glass headlights). In addition, plastic (polycarbonate or acrylic) is exposed to chemical attack, its properties change from temperature changes.

Clouding, scratches, chips reduce light output by 20-80%.

UV exposure is also destructive for headlights. The sun's rays destroy the protective layer, the headlights turn yellow and microcracks appear. All these factors contribute to the fact that the functionality of the headlight decreases - the luminous flux decreases.

Repairing deep damage

Polishing headlamps will help restore transparency and remove only superficial scratches and defects. If necessary, you first need to remove deeper damage: chips, pitting, scratches, etc. For this purpose, a grinder with a larger abrasive size is used. Grinding of the headlight is done in stages, from coarse grain to fine abrasive. The size of the abrasive and, accordingly, the number of grinding stages depends on the degree (depth) of damage. Defects on the headlight are eliminated due to the fact that the coarse abrasive particles "cut off" the upper microscopic layer of plastic. After the last stage of grinding it is necessary to make polishing of headlights. Polishing will eliminate the effects of grinding and restore the clarity of the headlight.

Headlight polishing

Headlight polishing is done in two stages. On the first to polish the headlights use a paste with abrasive particles and circles made of fur. The entire process is carried out with a rotary polishing tool at a speed of 1500-2000. It is very important not to overheat the headlight, as microcracks can form. At the last stage, abrasive-free polishes are used. With their help all the micro-cracks that were formed under the influence of abrasives are removed, and the surface becomes completely transparent.

The polished surface has a depth of irregularities smaller than the wavelength of visible light. It is transparent, does not scatter light rays and has a perfect gloss. As a result of headlight polishing, the brightness of the luminous flux increases and the "blurred" effect of the light, which appears due to defects on the headlight, is eliminated.

If it is necessary to remove the protective layer of varnish to restore the headlight (or for other reasons), we strongly recommend protecting the headlights with an anti-grav film. Without the protective layer, the plastic headlight will become cloudy very quickly and micro-cracks may appear. In addition to plastic, we also polish headlights made of glass.

Headlight before and after polishing

 

Headlight Protective Film

After polishing, it is best to protect your headlights with VentureShield or Hexis Car Pro armor film. "Armor film" 200 microns thick will reliably protect your headlights from scratches, UV, chemical and mechanical damage. Absolutely transparent film has 100% light permeability.

LPU Polyurethane Film

The secret to protecting the anti-gravel film lies in its properties. Due to its elasticity, the polyurethane film absorbs the destructive energy of stones flying towards it. This allows the impact from the impact to be distributed over the largest possible area of coverage, reducing the pinpoint effect.

Don't polish like that...

A layer of clear cota protects the plastic from ultraviolet radiation and aggressive environments. After polishing, the headlights become vulnerable and soon become cloudy. In addition, microcracks may appear, which are no longer possible to remove.

BMW headlight restoration

A car that drove a lot outside the city can be seen immediately. The bonnet, front bumper and headlights are littered with chips from gravel and small stones. Headlights over time lose not only aesthetic properties, but also functional. Will polishing your headlights help fix defects?

In addition to transparencies, we offer tinted films of various shades and textures. Film tinting of headlights is not only stylish! Experienced drivers know that the best way to penetrate fog is the yellow beam of light. Therefore, many foglights are pasted over with a yellow film.

 

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