Addressing questions about headlight restoration

[Kgobin]

Hopefully, this new video will answer the most frequently asked questions about headlight restoration. Please check out the video and if you have any questions or concerns contact us.

[candyman]

I retored a headlight today and the following happen. I was working on a Honda Accord. I used the same type of blue tape that was used in the new video. When I removed the tape a small clear film pulled off the bumper portion onto the tape. I have never had this happen prior to this. When the film came up the bumper had a slighht discoloration in a few spots and the film was attached to the sticky side of the blue tape. The bumber along the edges also showed a few spots that also had the same thing happening. The owner said he had noticed it after he had used a headlight polishing kit that he paid $30 for, a few months prior. I used a little of the UV coating just under the headlamp and it looked better and the color was back. The owner was satisfied. The headlight looked brand new when I finished. My concern is this. 1. Did the tape do this or was this something that was already taking place. 2. Do I need to use a tape that is less sticky? 3. When I sprayed the HL with the restore spray, then a water spray, the tape became wet. I wiped the mist off the lens. Could this have caused the material to transfer to the tape when the tape was wet. The Tape was curling up a little when I removed it. I normally do everything you showed in the new video. I wipe down after each sanding disc. I also do the side marker to make everything look better at no extra charge if they are like the one in the video. In your video it was taped off. If it was seperate and further on the side or a turn signal or fog light under the bumper I would charge extra if they wanted it done. Does anyone have an Idea as to what I experienced. Personnaly I think the bumper is starting to discolor and peel and my tape lifted a patch that was in the process.

[Kgobin]

We have done a lot of headlights and never experienced this so I think this is an isolated incident. May I ask how old was the vehicle, what was the condition of the paint job, and do you know if it was the original bumper. Also, the tape that you used has a medium level of adhesion so it should not have removed any paint from the vehicle.

[t4k]

I have seen this happen many times on used cars. Car lots hire guys (like us) to touch up and repaint plastic bumpers. Many times the bumpers are scraped or they have considerable bug damage. When the bumpers are repainted they are then sprayed with a clear coat. Many times these painters use the cheapest material they can buy and their adhesion properties leave a lot to be desired. I always try to peal off the tape with the utmost care until I see that it coming off with ease and causing no damage to the paint below.

[candyman]

The Vehicle was a 2003, used. The paint was good in some areas and fading in others. Lots of bugs splattered over the vehicle suface. It needed a good wash & wax job. The passenger door had damage on it prior to this kid buying it. It was a very thin plastic wrap type film that lifted off with a few pieces of the tape. and only on the bumper portion. What was under the film was a very dull/faded color of the vehicle. RED! Also the guy had recently used a kit on the headlights.
The headlight also had splaters of white paint as well. The Headlight turned out great and all the paint came off the lens. Just for safety in the future, should I use the old beige tape. I have done about 30 vehicles in the past few months and this was the first time I had this problem. Thank you for the reply so quickly. I used the blue because it held better when it got a litltle wet from the water spray, when I wipe down the lens. Have a nice day! Candyman

[Brent Deines]

The blue tape is used by painters because you experience less bleeding, and also because it removes easily without leaving a residue. In my glass shop I have used many different tapes and found the blue and green to work the best, and I have never seen any paint come off of a new vehicle, or a vehicle that has been repainted correctly. However, depending on how the vehicle has been cared for, and/or if it has been repainted incorrectly, there is always a possibility that some of the clear coat or paint will peel up when "any" tape is applied and removed. I used to use the standard beige masking tape but found that it was far more apt to lift paint and often left a sticky residue that had to be cleaned with adhesive remover, which can also damage old paint or new paint that was improperly applied.

I look at this the same way I look at the possibility of cracking out a windshield when performing a windshield repair. It's always best to warn the customer in advance, even though the chances of this happening are minimal. Better safe than sorry.

The vehicle in the video was an older vehicle and the paint was not in all that great of condition, but no paint lifted. As Korey said, we have done a lot of older vehicles and have not had this problem, but we are aware of the possibility.

Another thing to be aware of is that just about any chemical cleaner can do the same thing, including Delta Kits Restore Prep. Where you are most likely to see this is on a severely oxidized finish, but again, a repaint that was done incorrectly is also very susceptible to even the most harmless of chemicals. The first time it happened to me I got paranoid and was afraid to use the Restore Prep. In order to regain my confidence and to prove to my team that it was not a chemical issue but a maintenance or repaint issue, I sprayed the fenders of several of my own vehicles with Restore Prep and allowed it to stay on the paint several times longer than recommended before removing. The only thing that happened was that the wax was removed. I repeated the test and on the unwaxed finish and still there was no damage. I then repeated the test on the plastic bumpers and again there was no damage.

The vehicles I performed this test on varied in make, model and age. They were a 1987 Cadillac Seville, a 1996 Nissan Altima, a 2001 Chevy Silverado, and a 2005 Chevy Tahoe. The Cadillac and Nissan had parts that had been repainted so I tested those areas as well as on the original paint that was on the fenders.

Then we sprayed some Restore Prep on one of Korey's vehicles. I don't remember the make or model, but I think it was a 1980's Dodge. Although the car is in excellent condition, the paint is oxidized and there was a change in the color of the paint when we wiped off the Restore Prep. I had an older light blue Mustang that had paint that was oxidized to about the same point and any cleaner, including wax had the same effect. If you see a vehicle with paint in poor condition, be sure to warn your customer that damage is unlikely but possible, especially in the painted plastic area that surrounds the headlight on many vehicles.

[candyman]

Thanks Brent! I will continue to use the blue tape and give a warning. I used the prep spray and tape on two of my vehicles today and it had no effect on either. A 1990 Buick and a 99 Ford Explorer. I honestly feel like the vehicle bumper has a paint problem. I didnt have enough prep spray on the lens to start with, and that would have been diluted when I sprayed the water on it to wipe it down. Thats how the tape got wet. I use to use the blue tape that had the plastic that hangs over the bumper, to protect the bumber from run off. However, this would not have helped because the problem was under the tape next to the lens. You must be working over time. I didn't expect a reply from you and Korey so quick over the weekend. Thanks to all for the information. I will see you in 4 days! The Hampton sent me a confirmation and the number for a cab to pick me up. They offer a better rate for your company than I could get with my AARP, Military, or Government employee discounts. You must have clout in your city. Looking forward to the training. Candyman

[Brent Deines]

We're looking forward to seeing you as well. Safe traveling!

[VEECO]

I have heard that restoration doesn't work on all headlights specifically when water wicks inside the plastic. Is it possible to do a restoration INSIDE the headlight?

[Brent Deines]

You can take some headlights apart, but for the most part I don't think it is worth it. We get one every once in awhile that has water inside but usually we can still make it look a lot better. Generally speaking you can tell if there is moisture inside the lens and notify the customer of the problem in advance and set their expectations properly.