Headlight Cleaning

[H3ARTBROKN]

@mrjdmcd7 yeah its easier but u have to keep doing especially if u live in the southwest the sun i'll have them yellow in less then six months ..easier way and cheaper way is using toothpaste ...

[Zoidberg227]

For UV protection, you might try something like 303 Aerospace Protectant. You can get it at kayak shops (where I purchased mine, and the reason I have it) or on the web (prices seem to vary wildly, so shop around). Probably won't offer much protection from road grit and oxidizing agents, but it might be worth a shot. If I can find mine, I might try cleaning up the lenses on my car and applying it to just one. For science.

[MsDonnaP]

Damn I thought I was at the dentist office for a minute there.

[TeDuaMalakie]

this man is smart !! but he uses exceeded amount of cream ! .

[ivanbgct]

I did mines a similar way. What I did is I bought the 3m kit from walmart and then I used my die grinder instead of the drill.

As for uv protection I used wax.

[1026Monster]

Looks Like You Were Having A Hard Time!!

Easier Way ..Get Sandpaper Take A Small Layer Off The Top!!

[mkelley9849]

For a '97 Honda, I used Dupont #7 polishing compound with a microfiber cloth and cleaned it by hand. The improvement was very good, but it still need something else to remove the bulk of the oxidized film. I tried 1500 grit sandpaper, dry, and it does scratch the plastic. I also tried household isopropyl alcohol, acetone, and vinegar with no results worth pursuing. I was very gentle with all of these. I'll try a paste of baking soda, but I don't see how that will differ much from the compound.

[passavator1]

FYI Little man.

In my 50 years of driving and owning many! cars, Iv'e never had yellow or discollered head lamp lenses. My secret? Leave them the fuk alone. Dont clean them, dont polish them, dont wax them. Nuf said.

[baezinc1]

@passavator1 : Even my cars, which are garaged and never left out in the elements, get oxidation on the headlights. I have a hard time believing you've "never had a discollered [sic] headlamp."

[mitsuman95]

ill tell you a secret. get some spar urethane. mix it 1:1 with mineral spirits, after polishing put the mixture on a shop towel and apply evenly to the headlight. and your good to go for a couple years. 

[MiamiRSVP]

@mitsuman95 those urethane seals work wonders, make sure you use it, ONLY AFTER you have done a great job sanding them down(if needed), and polishing them with plastic polish!

[MrJdmcd7]

wtf is dis fuken lame ass motherfuker if u dont noe how to do it the rite way den dont fuken do it u have to sand it off first stupid ass its easier my way i just sand off the headlight with 1500 sand paper n then spray it with clear coat for plastic n u do it like in 5 minutes lame ass

[macgyver444]

@MrJdmcd7 Where can find this clear coat for plastic? Who makes it? Also, You sound upset. I've done the 1500 method before, it worked find, no complaints. Whatever floats your boat.

[flickurbic187]

@MrJdmcd7 This guy is here putting up this video to help people out. There are different methods of doing it and some work better than others.. No need to be a dick.

[Dad4lillily]

@MrJdmcd7 when your bashing someone for being stupid, try spelling and some grammar to sound 1/2 intelligent. Just defeated you whole argument. Just saying.....

[steveman223]

@MrJdmcd7 with the money you spent on the sand paper and the clear coat you should have bought tissue paper. dont complain about others videos..if you have a better way then post a video and move on. this obviously worked for him since it was all free....key word...FREE.

[passavator1]

i notice only idiots who polish their head lamps when they polish their cars have this problem. Stop trying so hard to polish everything. your head lamps will look good for ever. the old glass headlamps never had this problem. the new plastic lenses break down from the polishing compounds

[mitsuman95]

@passavator1 lol dude you have no idea what your talking about. do you know why a headlight is waxed? to protect the factory coating that is on there from excessive uv rays/sun damage. headlights will NOT last forever. in fact they will last a shorter time if you dont keep them maintained.

and to the poster of this viedo, you used 20x as much compound as you needed, and for crying out loud it would have taken 10 seconds to cut off that excess rag that was smaking your bumper.

[baezinc1]

@passavator1 : It seems to me glass doesn't oxidize, so those headlights stay clear forever. On the other hand, plastic WILL oxidize. Not real sure you know what you're talking about here. I've never even heard of polishing headlights, but my cars' lenses are still oxidized...

[jenjen515]

"Use caution if you have a nice car. I don't." LOL :) Great job though using just what you already had around the house. You said it doesn't last long - about how long did it last until you had to do the whole process over again?

[stanneman21]

Buy some new head lichts !

[donolie21]

thanks for the tip sir!

[woody41133]

people is these page are all fags typing all thdere bulllshit

[hotzone84]

doin it the ghetto way lol

[MrLuisHJR]

works for me..thanks.. I just dont get it, people try to give ideas on how to do things on youtube and theres always a group of idiots that have to post their ignorance, they say college is expensive..try ignorance ..macgyver444 thanks for the tip..it worked for me and if the head lights get yellowish again. I'll just repeat the cleaning again. after all you dont just wash you car once and expect the car to stay clean for ever..!!

[07MURDEREDOUTSIERRA]

WHAT ABOUT YOUR PAINT ON THE CAR BRO?

[rangerrunner11]

use cation (which is a positively charged elemenetal particle) caution?

[Intelpentium54321]

the big question how to stop leaking and fix it from the inside!

[roanokebarry]

Using the polishing compound instead of sandpaper is the right proceedure...you could also use soft scrub as the cleaner....then spray with windex and finally put a coat of polish or car wax on to protect the lense.....this can all be done with out the power tool ....

[allshow4all]

use toothpaste



[geestacks]

@allshow4all You don't even brush your teeth but you'll use toothpaste on your car? LMAO what a fukkin idiot.

[crazybaby74]

Depending on how badly the headlight is damaged the grit of sandpaper you start off with can vary. These are the grits i've used - 220, 400, 600, 1000, and 2000. I've only had to haul 220 grit a few times on really bad lenses. Wet sand with soapy water until the surface is free from defects. Use Meguiar's Plastic X and a random orbital 8" buffer to finish the job. Plastic X has polymers in it to seal the surface but I go a step further and use a synthetic wax for better protection.

[crazybaby74]

dude, this is such a hack job. Don't even try to fix your headlights this way guys, it's very much NOT the way to do it.

[macgyver444]

@crazybaby74 Perhaps you can elaborate. You say this is not the way to do it, but you don't explain why, or what the correct way to do it is and why it's better. Here's what I think: Pros the tool does the work for you. The abrasive compound is not very aggressive so no scratching the plastic lens. Don't have to buy 5 different grits of sand paper and hand sand. Cons: rubbing compound flys all over the plays and you have to rinse it off when your done, uses tools which many people don't have.

[flyersbriere1]

yea everyone has a high powered air pressure hose just sitting around the house.... JaDROOOL....

[Guerrini25]

they have done well but your work looked sloppy

[JUICYVALE]

What a mess!! this is the way that you dont have to do!!

bad video!!

[DeeeJayThrash]

that is way too much polish to be wasting heres how to do it . 1500 grit sandpaper followed by 2000 then rubbing compound with wool bonnet polish compound and wax with a sponge bonnet if the compounds start to dry out spray some quick detail spray it'll save you some polish next time

[iRaceAllDay]

Interesting buffer. 

[krishna110]

if u throw a coat of clear n wet sand polish itll prevent the yellowin

[TheBeerBox80]

unfortunately most plastics just turn yellow in the sunlight. I don't know of anything that prevents it.

[506cedar]

WashingtonDC....This method is included in the new Health Care plan....or is it.

[fordwindsor351]

using toothpaste would of done a better job

[bigsqueegee]

A valiant effort. I have been told that regular car wax is not a good uv protector because dirt will get embedded into it. There are clear coatings available in the auto parts stores for uv protection.

A much faster to clear them up is to apply some vinegar. the worse it is the longer you need to let it soak in. If that don't do the trick, try some lacquer thinner applied quickly and dried off fast. Test a small area to see how it works before doing the whole thing.

[diddy150]

It got the job done......isn't that the point....you sir are smart

[4jiggy1]

so shit

[jamesreznorseller]

great sound sffects, you should present them to hollywood for a terror movie.

[directordc]

put few layers of good clear coat on it

[cespires]

WTF this is the worst technic i ever seen to polish headlights, dude search for a detail forum and read, read, read and read more you have a lot to learn. The right way to do this give you better results with less work and less risks for headlights health and paint integrity.

[nunorgomes]

this method is wrong... anyway, to prevent the yellow thing to come back, you need to seal the plastic. you can use, for example, a wheel sealant (those we use on the rims). they resist to the high temperature of the lights and prevent the creation of the yellow crap (yes, i am not english =P)

[Celsior400]

this method seemed to work well... i have a 6" polisher and rubbing compound. gonna try it tomorrow... my 92 previa's lamps are garbage

[adrock2003]

Guys and gals...this is what us professional detailers call a HACK...DO NOT use this method to polish your headlights. Get a professional who knows what they're doing to take care of them for you. Please....it's worth every penny.

[DarkLinkAD]

@adrock2003 The term professional is used too loosely these days but buffing your headlights only require a loose section and canton flannel buff wheel along with plastic compound. People should spend a little time to educate themselves rather then being so lazy.

[ma5one]

that looks like its real comfortable on your hands.

[Guerrini25]

They always do such sloppy work, they buy an ordinary polishing machine

[mikehaawk]

you can't polish a turd ..... or can you?

[BigDaddyK000]

@mikehaawk Yes you can. Mythbusters did.

[izzy1968ful]

this is how not to do it

[nearkolob]

Polish you need more polish...the 3m kit works awesome.

[spazchickens]

Nice, i'mma try this on my 95, Mercury Tracer :p

[adriangarza81]

3M™ Headlight Lens Restoration System

use this product

[levithan9]

More like the ghetto way of cleaning your headlights. His s**t will stay clean for about 3-6 months, then he's right back to where he started....driving with cadaracks.

[DRCsyntax]

Uh, all "real" mechanic ways of cleaning headlights requires polishing compound and sand paper you fucking mule.

Smart idea I guess, I wouldn't trust a grinder personally

[3255959]

Thats pretty fast 30mins for both headlights...I wonder why you sand with 600 then 3000? i have talked to many guys that do this for a living and many sand with 400-800 clean lense then clearcoat..i have seen the results and the lights look perfect..what type of clear do you use?

[levithan9]

I use the 600 grit to remove the oxidation off the lens. When you wet sand, you can see the yellow coming off. When all you see is white particles, then you dry it off, and make sure you got everything sanded. The 600 grit won't scratch the lens too deep, so when i use the 3M Trizact 3000 pad, it removes the scratches and leaves a clear and smooth surface on the headlight. I use a product called Clear-Lenz. It's a 3 step prouduct. Maybe i should make a video of how i do my lens cleaning.

[3255959]

Thanks, what diameter is the 3m trizact pad?also how or do you sand the nips(molding bumps on older lenses)...

[karkraz]

HOLLY HIGH SPEED BATMAN!!! lol great job with the resto! i wish i would have had some stuff like that to do mine with. i had to do it all by hand. too forever but i still got some great results.

[BenjaGm]

Amazing results!

Good Job

[Kasperbeaulieu]

well that was about the hardest way to get your lights like that

[BRITinKY]

Polycarbonate headlamp lenses are sensitive and will just haze again, you need to coat them with something after polishing otherwise your be back to square one the reason they haze so fast is that when you polish off the haze you take off the protective coating as well, there is a kit at walmart that has the coating with it its called CV demister/defogger or something like that.

[Justanotherson]

awesome,I'm gonna try that..thanks for sharing ~~~~ will save me 150 bucks~~

[BumperRecon]

OMG!!! MESSY!!! Way too many steps and harware. Polishing wont last, it'll dull back! Use 600 - 2000 grit wet, evenly scuffed then clear coat them, done. Two steps, takes 10 mins. Fancy chemicals and products don't cut it, a waste of time and money. I've been doing this for at least 10 years. A no brainier. Work smarter, not harder.

[Creamyguitar1956]

When you say clear coat what do you use?

[BUMPERKINGUSA]

U-Pol or PPG "DELTRON" or Glasurit. Use quality. You can even get this stuff in a freakin' spray can. Works real good too. Hell I have a kit I can sell you for $50 and can do 10+ cars. Make some money off your neighbors. There are those that have a company doing this. Crazy!!

[oayeifly]

Sadly to say tht was alot of effort and half of ppl i kno dont got the compressor to do this work. here is an easier solution and cost less polishing efforts.

U need 600,1000,2000 grit paper from autozone.

dip all three in water for 10 mins and start sanding using 600 grit until all yellowness and gone and all u c is white residue comming off than sand with 1000 and than 2000 after tht use foam to polish it in circular motion and it will take less work and save money.

[macgyver444]

I haven't tried that but if I didn't have power tools that's what I would do. The method I used actually didn't require too much effort. The tool I was using did the grunt of the work, I just guided it around. It didn't really cost me anything either. I already had that stuff laying around the house. I'd much rather buy some sand paper than spend 20 bucks on one of the headlight restoration kits at the store. Wished I knew of a cheap way of protecting the plastic from future oxidation though.

[ibz121]

@macgyver444

This is the sort of thing where each person has a personal preference. The polishing method you used does work but only if it is lightly oxidized. The abrasive method works for more aggressive oxidation and also removes pitting and scratches. One key issue with the method you used is that you used too much polish. Doing this reduces the abrasive effect by increasing the lubricating effect of the polish.

Plastic clear coat is what is used as a final coat for bumpers etc.

[flickurbic187]

@macgyver444 There is different types of films you can get for less than $5.00 off eBay that protect your headlights. There are different color tints although I prefer clear. If you put them on right with a heat gun they look great and do a good job with their protection.

[macgyver444]

@flickurbic187 Good to know.

[rcaston19]

I'm going to try it today on my Dakota. I'll post a vidoe of the work.

[copperlocks1]

good job...next time mask around headlamp..to keep paint clean

[RyanLangz]

i kinda laughed as he is putting elastic over the air tool LOL but i guess this can be a good quick fix, but i would like to think 3-5 steps of wetsanding and then a final polish would be good to do it right to last a longer time than just using a straight polish liquid .

[macgyver444]

hhmm, don't know. Can try it. Not sure what it will do to plastic. I think the stuff I was using might be mildly abrasive which I suspect might help scrub the plastic clean. Not sure how chrome polish gets the job done.

[march9312]

good work!

dude i have chrome polisher, can i use that stuff?

[mgospeed31]

Shit man, you can't argue with the price. Good work!

[arkangelp666]

i wish i can be that fast !!!

[generalkojo]

Just try Pittman's.

[Erick51504]

I love this video! Truely Ghetto Rigged

[cwatts1959]

this will only work on about 25-30% of headlights.......But looks great for a few months!