What am I doing wrong?

[hls2010]

Hi guys,

I dont understand what im doing wrong. The last few set of headlights I have been getting light runs on the clear. This only happens on the second headlight. The fist headlight comes out clean, but the second headlight I always seem to get a little streaking from the clear. Would it be better to use a new towel for the second headlight and not use the same towel as the first headlight? Also what do you do on the corners where the sander cant reach? I tried using the disks by hand, but it leave alot of scratches. Should I use a different type of sand paper for hand sanding? I did a 2004 BMW 525i yesterday and i had a hard time getting the inner corners and also got the streaking on the second headlight from the clear.

[Kgobin]

You should only wipe the lens once because the coating is self leveling and it should take you 10 to 20 seconds to apply the coating to each lens. We use the same shop towel for both headlights. When you are hand sanding are you hand sanding with all of the grits?

[t4k]

You might have too much product loaded in your towel by the time you get to the second lens.

[hls2010]

You might have too much product loaded in your towel by the time you get to the second lens.

That's what I was thinking too. I will try 2 towels to see what happens.

[t4k]

I only use one towel and I dip the leading edge of the towel in the clear mix to depth of about 1/8".

[candyman]

I agree with some of the others. You may have too much on your towel or may be pressing down to hard on the lens. When I switch lens, I normally turn the towel over to the other side and dip again. Although I've cleaned the lens and buffed prior to the UV coating, I still pick up a little black on the towel. By turning the towel over I have a clean side that is wet and not starting to get sticky that can cause a drag on that lens. If I do get a run on the second lens I lightly brush across it with a little of the clear (only) to feather out the drip mark. Iam getting good at this method. Most of the time I have no runs but it does happen and I no longer panic, since I know what to do. Time is the prim factor and you can't delay when putting the UV coating on or removing a drip mark. I've also been known to miss a spot. I touch it up once it has dried, or if I catch it quick enough I lightly make a sweep with a wet (not sticky) part of the towel, Iam using. I also keep in my pocket a wet shop towel incase I drip some on the vehicle bumper. It takes it off quickly. I started several months ago removing all masking tape prior to applying the UV coating. Sometimes I would touch the lens trying to get the tape off, causing a smear. The customers are normally in a hurry and want their vehicle as soon as you apply the coating. This allows only a few minutes to dry. Sometimes it takes an hour or more to completely dry depending on the humidity. I've done headlights in a bay only to have the customer drive out the bay into the rain with headlights on. None have returned so far as a result of raining. I do warn them not to touch it or wash vehicle for 24 hours.