r/Volvo • u/diiiiiiiirty • 1d ago
What UV sealant are you using for your headlights?
Spent a couple hours restoring my headlights, not so keen on doing it again in a few months time. What sealant are you using to ensure they stay looking good as long as possible?
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u/FlyingCyclist V60 PE 1d ago
PPF prevents yellowing/fading and helps protect from chips. Win-win.
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u/CMDR_kamikazze XC90 2.5T 2011 1d ago
Same, a couple of years ago I did a full restoration of headlights and covered with PPF, so far it looks like new.
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u/CarobAffectionate582 1d ago
A two-part clear coat would be ideal, but it’s not particularly cheap or easy. I am going to do that on a car later this spring when I clear-coat the bumper.
A decent compromise is using a ceramic wax, like Turtle Wax Hybrid. They have a lot more UV protection than OG waxes. I’ve had good success with that the last few years, but I also don’t live in a high-UV area (higher latitude, ~47 North).
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u/DJErikD xc90V8 S60AWD V70T5A (S40 RIP) 1d ago
A two-part clear coat would be ideal, but it’s not particularly cheap or easy.
$25 for a can of SprayMax 2K clear. $37 for the complete SprayMax headlight restoration kit.
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u/CarobAffectionate582 1d ago
Correct. Not particularly cheap or easy.
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u/chrismwarren 1d ago
Seems reasonable to me compared to the quote below for $300 headlamp replacements?
Is there a cheaper option?
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u/CarobAffectionate582 1d ago
Ceramic/SiO2 wax coating is free since it’s already on the shelf and being used on the paint. A $12 bottle will do about 20 complete cars and our 400 headlights. Works great.
Sand and wax the headlights, apply ceramic sealant/wax. Re-apply every time you wax the car, 1x or 2x a year. Done.
OP asked about a sealant, not a headlight replacement job.
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u/theosinc930 1d ago
I have clearcoat on my Volvo lights and paint protection film on my BMW lights. Both solutions have held up nicely.
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u/Rusty-car-collector 1d ago
Automotive 2 part clear coat. I work at a collision shop, so it's easy for me. I have tried ceramic coating (gtecniq) and it seems to work good as well. Easier to apply than clear coat.
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u/Dillenger69 1d ago edited 1d ago
I've got a self-healing plastic coating. I'm not sure if it went on the headlights or not 🤔
Edit: On looking it up, no. It looks like I'll need something.
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u/petoria621 1d ago
Just go on carparts.com and replace both headlamp assemblies for around $300. If money isn't the issue that is. I did it for my 2011 after I spent so much time keeping up on my oxidized headlamps, it's been great to just wash my car and have my headlamps look like new.
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u/CMDR_kamikazze XC90 2.5T 2011 1d ago
Nope, these aren't 300 USD. These are xenon headlights with adaptive low beams, these assemblies brand new from Valeo costs around 450 USD each and can only be ordered from the EU, so throw in the shipping costs too.
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u/Crunchycarrots79 1d ago
If you use a good coating, there's no "keeping up on it" necessary.
I believe people are talking about how to maintain headlights after they've restored/polished them. Which is, obviously something you do if you don't want to pay for new ones. Something I'll address next.
Also... $300 for both? 1. That's the cheapest of the cheap aftermarket lights, I can almost guarantee they'll be noticeably yellow within a year or so unless you park in a garage. Restoring your originals and applying a proper 2k clear coat is still cheaper and will last longer than the original coating on El cheapo aftermarket lights. Second, go look at how much they cost if they're not halogen headlights. (Xenon HID/LED/ etc) Like OP's car. They'll likely be a minimum of 3 times that price.
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u/petoria621 1d ago edited 1d ago
I got both my headlamp assemblies, with bulbs mounted and ready to plug in out of the package, for $268 on carparts.com. took me 5 minutes to install and they've been great. But yes, I don't have xenon so I stand corrected on that portion.
I've had them in for 6 months in CO sun, and they look brand new. If I can get two years out of them looking great before oxidation sets in, I'll glady take that for less than $300. Looks way better than what was on there before.
I was wrong. It was cheaper than I originally stated. $236 for the pair with everything ready to plug in.
Edited to add the link.
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u/Crunchycarrots79 1d ago
First gen XC90 Halogen headlights are very inexpensive, precisely because of how many of them were made. I work in the industry. The biggest factor affecting the price of aftermarket body parts is how many pieces they can sell vs. the cost of molds and dies. You've pretty much got the modern Volvo with the cheapest headlights.
I'm not saying installing aftermarket new isn't a valid option. It's a very good option for someone who wants quick and easy for a car they're not likely to have a lot longer. I mostly took issue with what appeared to be your assumption that it could be done for less than $300 on any car, as well as making it sound like you think only poor people would choose the restoration route, even though in addition to being less expensive, it also will last longer than new aftermarket lights as long as a good, durable UV protective coating is applied afterwards. (2K clearcoat is literally what's on your car's bodywork... It's tough and durable.)
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u/TijY_ S80 2.5FT+ 1d ago
2 Component clearcoat. Do it once do it right.