Chrisfix toothpaste headlight restoration

[CharBaby]

I have done the toothpaste thing on the headlight assemblies and it only works for a few weeks as does any headlight polishing compound. I followed the polishing with some tire dressing, let is soak in for Oh IDK, 15-20 min to 1/2 hour and polish it off to a shine.

I am disgusted with today's new headlight housings.

 

[SilverSnake]

Tooth paste is great for your teeth or cleaning the inside of a dive mask to keep it from fogging up. Would not use it for anything else.

I have never understood why people have this problem. I have had 89 cars and trucks in my life and never had this issue. When I apply polish to a vehicle, I do all the lenses as well. Keeps them looking factory new.

 

[JeepWJ19]

The only restoration trick that actually worked for me (for years) was water sanding the headlights with 1500 and 2000 grit sandpaper paper. Then buffed them out, and applied 3M sealant on them.

All that hard work and they lasted 2 years. I can buy new headlights for $75 a pop and last another 5-10 years.

 

[billt460]

Originally Posted By: 28oz
I've done several methods. They all work.....for a while. Usually only a few months at best before clouding over again (even the kits with the "sealant wipes").


Originally Posted By: Char Baby
I have done the toothpaste thing on the headlight assemblies and it only works for a few weeks as does any headlight polishing compound.


This is the biggest problem with any and all of the headlight polishing kits. It's quite labor intensive, (if you do it right), and it doesn't last. When I retired I bought a Meguiar's Headlight Polishing Kit, and took several hours to do my truck, both headlights and taillights. I figured because I wasn't working anymore, and it would be in the garage, instead of sitting in a Sun drenched parking lot 10+ hours a day, it would stay nice.

It did until we bought our new car and I started parking it outside. Now they are the worse they've ever been. (Even though the vehicle is protected from direct sunlight by the house for over half the day). It didn't take but just a few weeks before they discolored and started fogging over. If it wasn't such a hassle putting them on and taking them off, I would buy a cover. The only way you can protect a vehicles components from UV light damage, is to not allow it to be exposed. Otherwise you're fighting a losing battle. Regardless of what method or product you use, or how often you use it.

 

[RooflessVW]

I'm very happy that some of you have cheap headlights. For the rest of us, the kits do work well.

Sand them till they're smooth and use a good polishing compound. Seal them with one of the many products available. Polish then again before they need sandpaper and reseal them. It is what it is.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: JeepWJ19
The only restoration trick that actually worked for me (for years) was water sanding the headlights with 1500 and 2000 grit sandpaper paper. Then buffed them out, and applied 3M sealant on them.

All that hard work and they lasted 2 years. I can buy new headlights for $75 a pop and last another 5-10 years.


Spray them with 2K clear and get even longer life than the ultra thin OE coating. U-Pol will give about 5 years, maybe a little more if no DRL.

 

[beanoil]

Novus Kit

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: beanoil
Novus Kit


Looks good but the shipping charge is more than the kit price.