How To Restore Headlight Clarity

[abasiwusan]

Guys I just used some fine sandpaper (around 2000 grit) and some Lysol furniture anti dust stuff beloved it or not. It acts as a lubricant and when you dry it it is seriously smooth- I mean somehow the Lysol does the trick. Crystal clear cost me $1

[nicolagreable]

WOW *.*

[humanparody12]

All I did was use a rather tough scrub brush on my Lincoln and it did the trick just fine. I didn't really have to work too hard at it.

Yet my GTP's are pretty far gone. I might actually have to do all that to make them worth a shit.

[OhhWhateverMan]

can't wait to try this tomorrow! And thanks for the good editing!

[Toerme]

Can't wait to try it out on the turn signal lense of my car

[TheUssamir]

what can i use as a buffer if i don't have that kinda grinder or buffer.? i f i can buff it manually where and what should i buy as abuffer? thank you

[gib88son]

@TheUssamir you use your hand with a microfiber or some sort of cloth that you can buy at auto zone. or if you have an electric drill at home you can get a buffer attachment for it

[7heSwed3]

wear through my paint with that buffer wheel and your ass is mine

[jorasave]

That is amazing man! how long time it least?

[vincentcarr]

Fantastic Video!! I followed your instructions and my headlights look factory new, thank you!!

[kingedoftheworld]

Don't be jerks about his pinky since he's making a video for yal to learn from.

[sthelo19]

@frapsyou...hahahahahaha u're fucken funny ..his fucken looks like an aliens finger..lol

[willisd432]

lol he broke his finger, nd prolly doesnt have insurance so he let it be. my friend finger looks like this

[FrapsYou]

Pause at 2:22, eww look at his finger!! lol haha

[rizrz34]

Very important note: Tape off the surrounding area around the headlight, so you don't damage the paint during the sanding process. And also, this can be done without a buffer, but the results won't be quite as perfect like the one in Kyle's video, it will still be a dramatic difference though.

[yellowcow13]

I did the same process but with out the buffer. It works well just be sure to apply 2 coats of compound and plastex

[Thebuffalo004]

Just one question. How come the plastic polish was'nt used? Was'nt it shown in the beginning>\?

[freshjive855]

Yes, but then you have to seal the headlights because you just sanded off all of the protective coating that came on the headlights from the factory. They will look like ass again in a few months from UV damage, unfortunately. Also, I would seriously recommend covering up the metal parts around the headlight with some masking tape so as not to damage it with the sandpaper or the buffer.

[nickd418]

he applying so much elbow grease the car is rocking...lol good idea! IF YOU HEAT UP THAT LENS COVER WITH POLISHING WHEEL "cRACK"...

[nickd418]

he applying so much elbow grease the car is rocking...lol good idea!

[MysticalMrBiggz]

And now .. the body shop charges you for a NEW head light for 30 minutes it took to recondition the OLD headlights! LoooooooooooooL Very good video though! Although I'd be scared to death to take that wet/dry sandpaper to my headlights!

[yellowcow13]

@MysticalMrBiggz I didnt want to sand. Then i went for it one day. It worked, just be sure to seal the headlight with wax after your done.

[myutubebroadcast]

what is the name of the rubbing compund?

[TheKonvict230]

@myutubebroadcast peanut butter.

[pphelps57]

Thanks for the great how-to video....plain, simple, and easy to follow. Who would have ever thought it was so easy?? Thanks!!!!!!!!!

[2Str0k3]

Nice video. But i would use masking tape around the headlights before i would go near them with sandpaper...

[jjaagg5050]

Dude! That was great! Thank you. I'm not going to invest in a buffer so I will grease up my elbow! Thumbs up to you sir!

[saltwateraquaruim]

that rubbing compound looks like peanut butter

[roel2055]

Can i buy elbow grease at Auto Zone.?

[aaf9999]

can you tell me how can i clean me carb

[Seisner1024]

Do you have to change the pad between the compound & polish?

[theoriginalelzincho]

hey i was wondering if you can give me tips on getting a job detailing cars?

[Partyman4059]

I just finished doing this process on my car and it worked great! My headlights were 4 times more yellow than the headlight you did and it still worked great! It only costed me about 12 dollars to purchase the required items (besides the buffer which I already own). Thank you so much for the vid!

[TheBlueAngel1018]

@Partyman4059 the ''cleaning compound'' is that called ''cleaning compound'' like is the name???

[chris000089]

don't tape it off?????

[ionfreak93]

would this work for tailight?

[chris000089]

@ionfreak93 just use rubbing compound

[yyyy2999]

mustard?

[Morad4000]

great job

[chunkchunk123]

your pinky scares me

[Corkoth55]

@chunkchunk123 lol! that made me laugh

[Amaralovely]

@chunkchunk123 not just the pinky... the whole hand ;-0

[Dtownmudder74]

Nice job man, exactly how a headlight restoration should be! I recently put H.I.D's on my 96 sierra (8000k blue) and I wetsanded, slapped some rubbing compound on it and polish (like the video) and the lights look like 1000k bright. Keep it up

[pitlock96]

thank your a beast

[2000DakotaSLT]

If anyone has done this. I was wondering how good it was at preventing the light from yellowing again. I tried the turtle wax kit. It got the pretty clear, but just a month later they look yellow again. Any advice ic appreciated.

[DjBabySlayer]

@2000DakotaSLT A guy at safeglass said to use high quality polish as this is the golden ticket to a clear and non-yellow light. He didnt say a brand so if you could recommend or not recommend one....

[TheKevinMillion]

At 3:16 the rubbing compound, what exactly does it do and where can I buy it? Great vid by the way. Thanks

[705Ibanez]

@TheKevinMillion

It acts like extremely fine liquid sandpaper and will lightly cut into paint or plastic and make it very smooth like glass

[TeDuaMalakie]

brilliant !! 

[Insaneclowngang]

Thanx Bud!!! What a difference... Now that my Headlights look Right I have noticed that my other lens need work too... NO Sweat now that I have the Technology hehehe

OH and I did Tape and than I even Taped out a little further cause if its gonna happen, it happens to me!!! LOL

[Reprezin]

Does this work on tail lights too ?

[FcukYouRetrad]

oh finally..u used a tripod lol

[BrianNeathery]

shouldnt you tape off the edges of the light so you dont accidently sand down the clear coat?

[heavymetalhero08]

@BrianNeathery maybe even open the hood too?

[BrianNeathery]

@heavymetalhero08

Whenever I do this i open the hood and tape off any paint that is around the light

[bagariddum]

cool guy. knows his trade too. impressed.

[nofgood4live]

this is new for me!

5outa5

[rory584]

your fingers are weird

[mike69192]

good job i do it the same way so keep up the good work if you need any help let me know. i've been doing it for a 1 yaer now. i've done almost every light out there so hit me up if you need help. once again good job man

[AListerUnlimited]

yea u were fantastic, but not all of us have a mo fuggin rotary buffer! wow....

[maserati315]

has that red 1997 Altima leaked oil or something?? i can see a big trail of oil on the ground at 0:09 / 0:10!!

[TotalTQ]

Use toothpaste. Same effect, only cheaper.

[TheDataZoo]

@TotalTQ Yes but doesnt remove everything its good if its a light haze

[shegotthedonk]

wth do you have on your finger??

[reese124124124]

FINALLY SOMEONE DOES IT RIGHT!

[thadd05]

I WAZED AND POLLISHED MINE AND WORKED

[916to415]

WOW!!! works great , i was skeptical at first....but damn! my headlights look practically brand new now! THANKS!!!

[hansterpeace]

if i go to the dealer someday to buy a car , i won't believe if the seller tells me , this car has new headlights :-)

[unknownally]

What kind of rubbing compound?

[nerdyKABOOST88]

where do i get both creams???????

[thisDUDE]

@nerdyKABOOST88 autozone, or any auto parts store

[Motorfordtoyota]

@nerdyKABOOST88 Walmart would probably have both.

[JessePlaysGuitar]

alright so at 3:30 i rub jiffy peanut butter all over lol sweet video dude i like it thanks

[potatocheeze]

could u plz detail the equipment for me please

thx

[blacktownskates]

Just another tip. This method also works on your scratched DVD's and CD's but use 2400 paper and buff by hand. ;)

[ikuybaka]

I don't think it fogged up because of they not taking care of headlights.

and of course NOT what @passavator said.

[ikuybaka]

I don't think it fogged up because of they not taking care of headlights.

[mrnice1058]

dam good job i did mine almost the same way i just didn't use 2000 grit!!

[theothertrainee]

That bonnet really doesn't close very well. :p

[MrJdmcd7]

why use 3 different sand papers? it works just fine just with 1500 n just spray clear coat on them its cheaper n faster the buffer weakens the plastic n the clear coat protects it just letting pep noe u dont have to waste more den 10 bucks

[scruffynerfherder90]

Kyle what is that rubbing compound, what is it for generally?. Not the Plastx but the brown stuff?

[passavator1]

the initail cause for the fogged headlight is that when most people polish their cars, the put the polish on the head light. the SMART people who dont polish their headlights never have that problem...

[Phill1478963]

@scatman0707 Yes there is a way of reapplying the clear coat, but that is where the professionalism comes in play. To apply a new clear, the old clear must be sanded away completely, and that isn't as simple as it sounds, because you must leave scratches small enough that a new clear will properly stick to the headlight (and not flake off 12 months later) without making them too big that they will still be seen. The clear is applied with a gun that is similar to HVLP automotive paint gun.

[scatman0707]

This is by far one of the most in depth DIY restoration videos for headlights that I've seen. I might use this on my neighbor's van when I get a chance to since her van's headlights are so cloudy that you can actually feel the different layers of plastic the headlights are made out of. When I drive her van to the store for her, I have to use the highs and they're just passable for brightness at night. I hope this will work on lights that bad. X3

[NikeBlazer623]

thanks dude!

[dopeypenguinlove]

I went to pepboys a week ago and saw a poster for headlight restoration. Is what he did similar to what auto shops do?

[ucg102]

Works like a charm , thanks to you my aunt's atenza looks like one

[us1776]

kool

[TheJustinSavage]

very helpul. thanks!



[TheJustinSavage]

very helpul. thanks!

[flyrudebwoi810013]

Great video, thanks!

[PhillipRybin]

Headlights come with a protective clear that is sprayed on at the manufacturer. When you sand down the headlight, you remove the dirt along with the sprayed on clear. This buffing will only last as long as any normal buffing wax, and then dirt will seep into the plastic and you will have to do this all over again. All the people on Youtube see a polished headlight and are amazed, but they do not know that it only lasts a month if you drive the car.

- 6 years auto restoration experience

[scatman0707]

@PhillipRybin Is there any way to apply another protective coat on the headlights after you've done this?

[michaelgodovan1]

when adding the rubbing compound and buffing with the machine the compound will

spray on the whole car and if not washed it will be a pain getting it off later if it will come off. my suggestion tape up everything around the light or remove the light for really the best results

or not if your gonna halfass it

but still a good diy video

[UpcomingJedi]

These plastic headlights are just an excuse to charge you like a lawyer! 15-25 bucks for a glass headlight but these cost...what .... around 150 per side when they become cracked by the sun or road stones??

[VerticalSh0ck]

that was amazing dude, nice work

[danielfahmy]

i dont have that machine at home, so how to use by hand?

[baylife10]

Is it just me or does this guy sound like Cleaveland from Family Guy?

[marley2able]

@baylife10 its just you

[vans1107]

only problem is once you sand off that top layer of plastic and buff/polish it, you have to keep doing it, as the plastic will keep yellowing out over time, unless you clearcoat the headlight lens afterward..but if you're going to do that you might as well just get a replacement headlight housing.

[prepuce83]

is that a female hands? hehe

[HandyAndy229]

All 3 grades of sandpaper were soaked in the water right?

[ERICKGMAN]

yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh­hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh­hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh­hhhhhh lol

[KLINGY94]

awesome vid kyle, and btw, the rubbing compound looks like peanut butter lol

[STREETRACEN4U]

nice! i thought i would need new headlights! i always thought that the yellowing and fading was on the inside of the light and not the outside. im glad i dont have too take the lights off and replace them because on my car u have too take the whole front bumper completly off too be able too acces the screws too take the headlights out. and that would be a pain.

[crazylemon101]

You forgot to tape off the edge of the bumper, fender, and hood.

[youngpastor21]

Very Nice! Looks like new! Thanks!

[GhostsInMyAttic]

I know what i`m doing tomorrow :) thanks

[souljaaagiirl]

I cant wait to try that to both my family vans. I don't trust it 100% on my baby lol.

[zoomie888]

Great video! I saw the others, and yours blows the others away! You're very clear and quick about everything! Thanks man!

[bloodreighn]

all i gotta say is WOW, you really are a good how to guy on car detailing!

[clarksonfan92]

Hmm, does this works for taillights?

[bockydo]

My old car was so bad It took almost 2 hours each head light to clean them . They were so yellow that you could not even see the bulb inside the fixture ( 250,000 miles ehh ) . I could drive at night with my high beams and not blind people lets just say lol .

[hp11208]

cool

[remixx45]

awesome vid dude

thank you

[rudi2122]

Hey kyle, your videos are really awesone! btw my father has a fiat brava and i want to try this on the car but the headligths are made of glass, can i try this on them? Thanks!

[BuyMEaDriNk43]

Is it necessary to go through these sanding steps? I just took the plastic polisher+elbow grease and rubbed away. 

[fliegeroh]

Great video.  Thank you.

[chopsuey1993]

nice job on the lights. i was wondering if you could do a before and after with the headlights on

[wizard101emily]

i tried this the exact steps didnt work

on my neon but i so fucking thrilled it worked on my suburban and sable

[bmedeiros678]

Great vid.

[MrMrtiki]

Good deal thanks.

[MrLobart]

best how to vid ive seen so far. thank you!

[whitestang99]

hahah 2:45 funny small finger OMG good job on the lights

[BuyMEaDriNk43]

Hey kyle. Does the clarity last long? Or will it get oxidized again pretty soon?

[eniman123]

is rubbing compound rly needed? i am from germany and want to make hand polish

[thefluidic]

WOW! It does look brand new. Great video. Thank you.

[Alxrez]

ewww how did u break your pinky

[mothershipflite]

Mine weren't really discolored, but when i bought the car it had some spray on tint that was fading. i tried scrubbing it off, didn't work. used this method and my headlights look brand new! I did the hand polish way without the buffer... definitely recommend using one. My arms are hella sore.

THANKS!!

[siguru1066]

Nice video.

[stutzman2]

Great job! I bought the Maguire headlight polish and used it by itself and it dodnt work, I'll try your method with the sandpaper next. Love your other videos too by the way.

[ElCompaJesse]

i used Mother's but it end up like cloudy and all scratch up.

[1598MeTal1598]

i did toothpaste. cost $1.50. looks a lot better, the rest is on the inside

[rangerrunner11]

@1598MeTal1598 you understand that oxidation CANNOT take place inside your SEALED headlight. unless that is your seals have gone bad or your O-ring on light socket and shot. oxidation cannot and doesnt take place inside headlight, some plastics are designed to be fogged from the factory, most 96-03

[TheJcmcd]

what kind of compound do u recommend using and can u use a drill and buffer wheel instead of a grinder and buffing wheel great job by the way

[TheJcmcd]

i love ur videos there great but where do u get the rubbing compound at that u use

[Hilderith]

WHAT THE F???? UR THE MAN DUDE... GREAT VIDEO

[kennysantana01]

Where I have to buy the compound do I really need it to buy? Or I can only use the muguiars plastic polish

[TheVancouverJatt]

do you ever have to apply this wax or compound ever again?

[alialialia1]

good job, thanx

[Paul530d]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video and share your skills. I have performed this restoration on my Mazda MX5 and it worked a treat. You have saved me having to buy a new pair of lights at $200 each!! Many thanks :-)

[lJavieR7l]

I will try this on my integra Thanks !

Then i have to aim them since i cant see crap at night. lol

[viggoM35]

That's the way you do it! Tired of seeing these videos of people trying to sell a product.

[bunny4t4]

thank you sooo much.

[ganee6a]

does it work on Glass Headlight ?

[jangordo18]

simply exelent video, thanks for sharing i did it on my moms car and on my car. thank a lot

[gbp815]

Thank you kindly! Just did this today. Worked very well.

BEFORE / AFTER PHOTOS

img695. imageshack. us/img695/561/picture9ir.png

img840. imageshack. us/img840/706/picture10to.png

Didn't have a buffer so I compounded by hand. Still came out very well.

Good luck manipulating the link for the images



[supersaps123]

Best how to vid ever

[pancakewafflebacon]

lol my 1994 sentra's headlights are so yellow it looks like it has cataracts

[GiovanniC91]

Oh, and why do you keep the sandpaper wet?

[GiovanniC91]

Do you think you could use regular car wax on the headlight after doing this to keep it from yellowing again? Or at least prolong the clarity.

[Patron1520]

F'in awesomee!!

[theRDRman]

hey saabkyle04 could you tell me how you get that picture if you will of your logo next to your video's in the top left corner what do you do?

[ifeeltheperks]

well done

[Motorfordtoyota]

2:19 good example of Nissans quality, the whole front end is loose! Ha, Maybe this will work better than that stupid turtle wax kit!

[mogultech37]

i took some toothpaste a soft cloth and a spray bottle filled with water and got the same results. although the faded effect was minimal on the headlight.

but good video all in all

[dwillford]

@mpblove if you hold the buffer in one spot too long heat will build up and melt or "burn" the plactic lens of the headlight.

[sheemobile]

Good work

[mbplove]

What do you mean burn out the head light?

[daytripper29]

@mbplove i think he might be mixing up what happens if you over polish the paint/clear coat on your car...you burn through the clear and can go up to the metal if you press too hard and stay in the same spot for too long.

Also, to anyone else watching: TAPE AROUND YOUR HEADLIGHTS... saves the risk of sanding the paint around there, which will not look too pretty.

[BKofficer23]

VERY helpful. Thanks.

[noham4me]

Are you related to the guy who plays the NBC Page on 30 Rock?

[raysrule94]

I did this the same exact way using the meguiars plastx and a buffer on a 07 nissan quest, but after sitting in the sun for a day they clouded back up somewhat. Any ideas for something else i could use on them to polish them?

[MrSangrado]

good job a was wondering how to get the job done 10 out 10

[huffy15]

looks like there's little bit difference here lol

[Iam18yearsolddddd]

nice video

[drippinblood28]

just wondering where can I get something like 5,000 grit sandpaper for a really nice finish?

[renzobmxer]

in other video i saw a guy using a sandpaper and then toothpaste and a flannel,.... is that true?... is that works???

[khizers21]

Hey, Kyle does this method ruin the UV film that protects the sunlight? thanks for sharing did a really good job =)

[PoliceWillProtect]

Do i need to apply the compound or is that just an extra step?

[Show757]

whats the deal with your fingers?

[FILMMAKERCHAP]

this is the same technique believe it or not, that is used on polishing eye glasses

[radryan10]

this really fucking works... i'm so thrilled...

walmart charges - $45 and it takes 45+ min.

do it your self.. Turtle Wax- rubbing compound ($4.00) Maguire Plastix polish - ($5.40) Sandpaper 1000 & 2000 grade ($6.00) combined 2pk. foam applicators ($2.00

Total expense = $17.40

Save about $27 doing it yourself =)

[Motorfordtoyota]

@radryan10 The entire meguire kit is 20 dollars.

[jesuslover1990]

@radryan10 can u send me a private msg of all the stuff id need i dont have a buffer tho

[bmedeiros678]

@radryan10 You forgot to type priceless at the end. =-)

[elitecssplayer]

@radryan10 great comment, thanks for posting that :)

[200twistatwista]

@radryan10 Wamart Sucks at anything with headlights restoring and they do not even use a machine just their weak hands A kit from autozone will do it also a fraction of the cost.