Method and kit for restoring a vehicle headlight lens

• US 8,801,860 B1
• Filed: 09/29/2009
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas M. Wall
• Original Assignee: Thomas M. Wall
• Inventors: Wall, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kornakov, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHATLEY, KATELYN B
• Application Number:
  US12/569,113
• Time in Patent Office: 1,778 Days
• Field of Search: 134/4, 134/26, 359/642
• US Class Current: 134/4
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 13/015 of television picture tube viewing panels, headlight reflectors or the like
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 2111/18 Glass; Plastics
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 7/264 Aldehydes; Ketones; Acetals or ketals

Abstract

A method for restoring a vehicle headlight lens by removing contaminants begins with wiping the lens surface of a vehicle headlight clean. An alcohol-saturated cleaning substance is used to remove debris and pollution from the surface. The alcohol is specifically selected to also remove moisture from the surface of the lens to the greatest extent possible. For optimal cleaning conditions the headlight is heated either by illumination or direct sunlight to a temperature of about 70 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. A lens restoration solution that includes a dissolving chemical compound such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone and/or tetrahydrofuran is applied to the lens surface, either with an applicator or by spraying. After the lens surface has been restored to a smooth, transparent condition, and adequately hardened, a UV protectant is applied to maintain the lens surface.

Claims

1. A method for restoring a polycarbonate lens, the polycarbonate lens being at least partially opaque from oxidation contamination, the method comprising:

removing moisture and debris from a lens surface of said polycarbonate lens to be treated;

applying a lens restoration solution to the lens surface to be treated, the lens restoration solution comprising at least one of acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, and tetrahydrofuran, the lens restoration solution being operable to at least partially remove the oxidation contamination on contact by at least partially dissolving an exterior surface of said polycarbonate lens and evaporating to allow said partially dissolved exterior surface to harden into a smooth and transparent condition; and

applying a protectant to the surface to be treated, the protectant operable to protect the lens from ultraviolet light.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of removing excess lens restoration solution from an applicator used to apply said lens restoration solution with a blotter.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of removing moisture and debris from said lens surface to be treated further comprises cleaning the lens surface with an alcohol based cleaner.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of heating said polycarbonate lens prior to the application of said lens restoration solution.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the lens restoration solution is applied in single continuous strokes.