Full guide to HEADLIGHT RESTORATION | Easy DIY at home
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- Let's talk about headlight restoration. Can all headlights be restored? No, but most can... Is headlight restoration permanent? No, but with proper sealing or coating they can last a good amount of time! I walk you through the process of restoring your headlights and how to protect them. I also explain the difference between a set of headlights that can be restored vs headlights that should be replaced. ENJOY!!!
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TOOLS:
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Bissell Spot Clean Professional Extractor - amzn.to/36mmD8R
McCulloch MC1375 Steam Machine: - amzn.to/2G2IqXB
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MaxShine 15mm Long Throw Polisher - amzn.to/2t72O6H
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PRESSURE WASHER SET UP:
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CHEMICALS | POLISH | COMPOUNDS
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#HeadlightRestorationKit #CarDetailing #HeadlightCoating
Time Codes:
0:00 - How to Restore Car Headlights
1:08 - Can your Headlights be fixed
2:05 - Restore or Replace your Headlights
4:10 -Step by Step process for restore headlights
12:32 - Polishing Headlights
16:35 - How to re seal your headlights
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond my control, I cannot guarantee against improper use of the information I share in my videos. (IMJOSHV) assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not (IMJOSHV) or any business affiliated to (IMJOSHV). - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I did this a couple weeks ago. I didn't follow a guide or anything. After doing it the main thing I would suggest is go for longer than you think you need on the 800 or 1000 grit. My headlights looked amazing while they were wet, but after compounding and polishing and drying there are still some spots that look cloudy. It is not bad and looks way better than before, but if I would have went a few minutes longer with the aggressive stuff I think they would be perfect.
Thank you for this video, sir! I have a 2007 Honda Accord and I followed your instructions. The headlights literally look NEW! I really appreciate the straightforward info.
Wow crazy difference is correct! Night and Day! I’m sure I speak for all who watch your clips, subscribed or not….you are a very informative and helpful fella! Thanks homie! 🙏🏼
Bonus points for the Grios smelling really good too. That’s the most impressive improvement I’ve seen between the two. Most of the kits you buy are trash. Good stuff.
Great video and explanation through each step. After purchasing some products I’ll be ready to go do my own headlights! Thanks again!
looked fine at 2500 grit honestly. like new once you were done tho. best light restore video ive seen in 2 days of watching videos. TY
I used a 3M kit for my friends Jeep. Yes, it got rid of the haze and made the covers look clear, but it didn't help much for night driving. More for aesthetics.
Great Video, I usually use a PPF from Lamin-X or Xpel to keep mine nice and clear.
Just ordered the polisher with your link, discount came in clutch thanks !
Been polishing them for 20 years, and despite most of this I know, but I learned a few new tricks from this! (Old Dogs...)
Btw thank you! Just did this to a 2000 dodge. The headlights couldn’t even be seen at night they were so bad. They look better than new now!!!
Josh...just wanted you to know that God loves you...thanks so much for the very informative video...🙂
I've been waiting for this!
What compound would you recommend for paint if you're going to put a coating on top of it? Would that mirror glaze cut enough to be one and done?
Wow!!! Super impressive!!
NIGHT & DAY!!! Awesome video
Great job and video Josh.
As a auto body tech when I paint a modern car I clean and restore the headlight and clear coat it with the body and polish it as well have had them last over 5 years in the Arizona heat and still counting
Dude. Thanks. My 2013 Pilot’s headlights now look awesome
Awesome!!
Thanks Josh! Do you know if that sealant spray can be used on new lights to keep them from yellowing?
Awesome tutorial 👌! That headlight turned out perfect. Which kit do you like best? I've used the Cerakote headlight restoration kit and had great success with it.
Solid instruction and example. I used Meguiars spray headlight sealant like you in this video and was happy with it. Its been a year (13 months) and they still look nice (2 cars = 4 headlights), starting to oxidize some and I will probably do the whole wet sand then seal in another 6-12 months. Might try a different sealant but don't have anything negative to say about the megs. For data sake I used the mothers headlight restore kit since it included a drill attachment and polish, Also nothing bad to say about that kit but I will use 3m automotive sandpaper next time like you did in this video in order to get better detail and control. I have helped someone use the turtle wax kit in the past and although I like their sanding pads the kit is lacking IMO. So many kits and they are all different. 3m auto sandpaper made for wet sanding seems the best way to remove the oxidation based on my experience and watching way too many videos about this topic on CZcams. Thank you for sharing your video.
Try Rust-Oleum 298g Clear Gloss 2X Ultra Cover UV resistant 10X better
I actually redid my headlights just 2 weeks ago. And did 2 other cars (family and friend) the same weekend. All 3 sets came out immaculate and all were done with the 3m “headlight restoration system” kit (39008) ~$15 that has the drill attachment, p500, p800, p300 trizact, and orange foam polish pad for use with a drill. The kit had everything I needed except for tape, drill, and I used the Meguiars headlight clear coat at the end. that 3m kit is 10/10 with the meguiars spray.
10x better no way. Better perhaps but i doubt it anyways.
10x better is just hyperbolic and silly talk
@@marambulaThe finnish is a 💯%Better by far!!!3M restoration kit is my Number one choice as is Meguiars clearcoat with added UV!!!😊 👍
Very straight-forward demo with specific items & product. Really helpful!
I’ve noticed if you apply paint solvent on a rag and go over the headlights it removes almost 40% of all that build up it makes the job a lot easier
Super impressive results
Wouooooou brother you are number #1
I gonna used all the products
Thank you happy 5 mayo🎉
That’s wild that a cigarette butt found its way into the capsule but moisture hasn’t.
I have to believe it was in there when the lens was assembled onto the housing.
Great job sanding and polishing.it’s not only clean but also has extreme clarity and gloss.
Big thanks from Québec Canada 🇨🇦
Wow! Amazing, awesome job!
Thank you very much!
Wow what a difference, great demonstration, thanks Josh 😁👍 I didn’t see your link to your second channel below, am I missing something?
Great explanation thanks
VERY NICE!
Josh, great job. The headlight looks amazing!! You mentioned a link to your 2nd channel with ASMR style videos, but I don’t see the link. Would love to check it out. 👍
Good video josh
Bought the 3m kit for its sanding, compounding, and polishing and the Cerekote for its coating. Way cheaper than replacing Lexus headlights.
Thank you. Great job.
I'd love to hear your tips on how to wash a truck, and a truck with a canopy(like your tundra)
Great job🎉
That’s a lot of super clean in the background
What will last longer, Meguiars coat or headlight film protector (wrap)?
Quick tip, you can also use ONR 256:1 as lubricant on this process as well.
👍
fiyaaaaaa..great result
Great video
For badly faded headlights, I have found that a little mother's aluminum polish on a medium buffing pad and buffer works fantastic. If you really want them to stay looking new, use a ceramic coating on them after. One round with the aluminum polish and then one with actual car polish and your in business fast.
Wet sanding always works too but I find using aluminum polish to just do the job much faster.
What car polish would you recommend for your process
@@migmogg8087 You could use whatever polish you like but I have preferred using Sonnax. Mother's Aluminum polish works like a miracle on faded headlights...you'll never use anything else after seeing the results, lol.
@@GSP-76 im going to try it ,mothers aluminum and mag polish ,compound and polish then ceramic coat ?
This. This is the reason I read comments.
I have mothers mag polish.
Will do this.
Pure genius...
Did you use sonax perfect finish? @Gurvinder Parmer
Wow good job 🎉
Project farm did a head to head for the DIY kits available and the sylvania headlight kit comes with a clear coat step to protect the work you put in.
So does the turtle wax
Love the Channel.
Nice job
i have done loads in the past the best results i have got is all of the prep then use vapor kit then ceramic coating on top
I couldn’t find any of list of descriptions of products that you used on this video..???
Thanks
Amazing 👏
thanks man :)
Thanks for this tutorial and the maxshine plug!
2 questions, can you achieve this with a drill instead of a polisher? And some have suggested using a wool pad. What are your thoughts?
You can use a drill with a 3inch base plate and foam head, With good results, Saying that a deadecated cordless polisher again 3inch base plate takes the clarity and shine to a all new level!!! Why because the polisher runs at a higher speed which in turn creates more friction = Heat that smooths out left over micro scratches!! The result is nothing short of perfection!!!🧐😳🙂👍
Do you think a Ceramic coating would do as well or near as well as this Mequires product? Or do you think the Meguires product is basically just clear coat?
Most underrated channel on CZcams
Thanks Kyle!!
So on my 4Runner I have the UV coating peeling on the top surfaces but the headlights are not discolored yet. Should I use the same process?
I would
josh, i have a battery drill and a 15mm DA polisher. for the sanding stage, should i use my drill with a 3 inch 500/800/3000 sanding disc to sand with? or can i use my DA polisher with a 3" inch backing plate to do the sanding and polishing together?
Will Flitz multi purpose polish be okay to use?
josh I cant seem to find the other channel you mentioned ?
Amazing results man! How much xtra would you charge a customer for this service?
Hey Josh after headlight coating can you add ppf?
I have watched these videos from overseas. It looks to be in Pakistan and over there they absolutely fixed everything. Very very few times have you ever see them open a box and put a new part on.
They have this one episode where this one man and it might be his father has a shop about the average size of a home garage. He's got headlights everywhere and he makes a video of him cleaning the lens. Those guys don't play around. One of the first things they do is use this metal scraper. They get in there and remove some serious plastic. Once they start with the sanding their next step is to open the light up. They use a porch and just move it quickly around the seams and break it open. They then start cleaning the inside. They will polish that out put everything back together and polish the outside lens. Then they put something on it at the end I'm assuming it's some sort of UV protector. Those guys do a great job and they even fix headlights and headlights that has a hole in them. They do a really good job but you can see the repair I would say they are close to 80 maybe 85% to wear it's hard to see the repair.
As always I enjoyed your video and of course I made sure to leave you a big old thumbs up. And of course I am a subscriber had been for a very long time.
It's not contamination causing the discolouration and fogginess. It is sun ultraviolet light which deteriorates the polycarbonate lens, makes the surface brittle, miniscule cracks and softer, (how is "contaminate" yellow when the lens is sanded)? There is crap on the lens but that is microns of thickness and is removed with wax and grease remover and iso alcohol.
WOW!!! Thanks
E tech headlight clear coa hast been long lasting and effective compared to the last time I did it with Meguires.
Great job thank you from Hawaii
Thanks!!
Thanks ❤ great video
Glad you liked it!
Does Megs spray coating bond well to polished plastic? I know a lot of people recommend spraying clear on a sanded surface.
Of course it does, It was developed especially for polycarbonate headlights as written on the can!!!
Could you please send me the list of products you used I live in GA
Wonder how this would do on a UTV windshield that's not glass?
thanks man
What ratio do you use for the 90% mix?
After I restore or rebuild lenses for my clients I use a product from 3m to add the lost protection
I actually just used the 3m product on an Acura wagon recently. Works well!
I didn’t see your link for your new page.
Again great information. We appreciate all the work you put into your videos. Only have one question how did you move that cigarette butt over an inch to the left of where it was? Little early for April fools don't you think. LOL
Ha no, off camera I pulled the bulb and blew in with compressed air trying to get it out… didn’t work
Protection 303 is supposed to help it last!! Apply often!
How did the coating hold up?
I covered both of my vehicles lens with Weathertech lens covers. One vehicle has 135,000 and the lens still look new. I wonder if you could apply Weathertech covers to lens after you buffed them to prevent them from fogging over again?
One reviewer said they did and turned out fine. It’s similar to applying a ceramic. To the right prep work and you’re good. I’ve heard spraying 2k clear coat is the best option of all.
@@annagraham6204 2k is far to hard plus a nightmare to remove, When restoring in the near future!! Megiurs is worker friendly and should last 2-3 years depending where you live!!!
Am i not seeing the link for your new channel? Id like to sub
I do believe that the yellowing that your sanding is the plastic itself and the UV rays cause that and your actually removing the layer of yellowed plastic down to where it’s clear again, your not pulling contaminates out of the plastic.then when you use the next highest sand paper and the next your smoothing down the scratches from the previous paper. The clear coat is protecting it from the UV rays yellowing effects.
Hi please help!! I did this and I'm in the process of sanding but I'm noticing some brown streaks appear as I'm sanding and they don't seem to go away when I wipe it with soapy water or sand them more. Maybe I am using too much pressure? Please help! How to remove these marks?
I believe you burned the plastic from the friction of the grit. Only way to get rid of it is to sand down below the burn to remove it.
That cigarette butt gave me a good chuckle. Detailer comes rollin up with a damn cigarette butt in his headlight haha
thank you for this. but im curious. if you buy all these things individually, you spend more than a typical headlight restoration kit. granted you may be able to do more than 1 car. most people just need to do 1 car.
btw i make that swan alcohol :D
It all depends on which kit you buy? Of all the restoration available today 3M is probably the best there is because they have options on your personal preference either dry sanding or wet!!There not a complete kits you still have to buy some products to have premier finnish! I think it's a worth while investment is a 2 speed variable cordless drill, As its a perfect addition to own, Great for any DIY projects around the home and garden!!Plus when it comes to the polishing step on headlights electric power is a must where a higher speed is required why because friction =Heat are needed to smooth away left over micro scratches and leave the surface clarity + Shine to another level, Hand buffing can't compete!!🤔👍
Could i hand polish @ the end?
Would it make sense to put any other kind of protection on top of the headlight coating?
Definitely No, Take Meguiars it state's two coats? Believe one coat is enough promise!!I have watched dozens no more like 100's of headlight restorations,Where people have coated (sprayed) multiple times, This is a fallacy, Reason first the effects on headlight performance to many coats will reduce transmission of light to the road, It goes against all what restoration is all about improving visibility and safety, Its the same as morons using tinted film on headlights bonkers, And lastly by applying to many layers of any clearcoat causes overheating of headlight housing, Moreover you run the risk of melting or distortion of the polycarbonate, Air moving across the lens keeps it cool 😎 🤔👍
I came here to clear my janky headlights. I didn't expect to learn how to open the hood in a transit connect lol!!
Haha
Make your headlights last longer from yellowing I use Rust-Oleum 298g Clear Gloss 2X Ultra Cover UV resistant works much better then the one in the video I’ve had my car for years and they haven’t been yellow since
Wouldn’t a sand at 800 grit followed by a 2k clear coat be superior for longevity?
800 grit is very rough...if the headlight is in really bad shape, 800 might be worthwhile...when I sanded them in the past, I started with 1000 followed by 1500/2000...but these days, I just use Mother's Aluminum polish. It works amazing on headlights and is much faster than sanding.
@@GSP-76 that’s good for about 6 mos
@@fadetoblack51 not if you use a coating. I did a family friend's headlights two years ago and they're still looking like the day I did them. Aluminum polish has a lot of cutting power. You could get some great results using it even on really bad headlights in 10-15 minutes of work.
so how to take care of this after a year or so?
This process comes out better than trying to polish it back to life...
Great instructions josh! I've done 5 or 6 cars headlights in a very similar manner. a couple tips for folks that may have not yet done this. many older cars have headlamp assemblies that are very easy to remove, getting these out of the car really makes this quicker & easier since there is no need for masking, allows sanding steps with a small DA sander on low speed (keep pads wetted & only on lowest speed setting) and also no concern with overspray of coating sitting on a work surface. I've never seen the headlight coating spray you used, but I'm guessing it's similar to the clear coat spray that I've used previously.
great tips! and yeah im assuming they a similar
So removal of the headlight assembly?? You need unless you have a car macanic experience!? A car manual is a must and that going to cost!! I know of at least too guys who had to take off most of the front off there cars to remove there headlights, Taping takes seconds your way takes hours!! Tape wins!!!
@@keithroberts5611 To each his own Keith, do what works best for you. It seems that most folks can manage operation of a screwdriver w/o years of previous auto mechanic experience, but if that task pushes you past your comfort level, then certainly don't risk confusing righty tighty, with lefty loosey. 🙂
Just in case you missed it, I was specifically speaking about my past experiences on older vehicles. "many older cars have headlamp assemblies that are very easy to remove"
Does clay luber work instead of soapy water?
Yea!
crazy!
i thought if you go up to 2000 3000 grip or polish the plastic, then the clear coat wont last for to long...
Don’t you need to turn can upside down and spray to clear the nozzle?
yeah i tyipcally d that with any aerosol after using it
How long the spray protector will last ?
It depends on where you live the hotter the summer and how you park? If your working or not!! In other words the time your car is exposed to strong Sunlight as its the ultraviolet rays that responsible for lens degrading IE yellowing, fogging, and loss of clarity!!
i only got 1200 n 2000 which one should i use 1st n 2nd
Nether, It depends on how bad the degradation is it just Fogging dirty, Or something more serious like old cracking clearcoat, If it's the latter start with a course grit p320 p500-p800 dry sanding only then p3000 trizact with water, After apply any glass cleaner spray and dry using a clean micro fibre cloth, Then buff out headlights again wipe lens and straight away coat lens with a certified clearcoat with added UV protection!! And never use any 2k products ever!!!
actually, some problems are not on the outside. others are on the inside and CAN be corrected using another tool, which is a heat gun to soften thr headlight glue and break it part. clean it and pre-heat thr glue before clamping them together
how long does that clear coating last?
Well it all depends on where you live and how you park shade or full Sun? I think it's written on the can!! I think it's one year? And on many other factors like auto car washers or hand wash,? After care of headlights after refurbishment? Headlight waxing with uv protection added and light buffing prolongs clearcoat durability by up to 2 and a half years!!!🤔👍
It Urks me that we cant just remove the headlight and clean inside ourselves. Thats where most of the issue is too, not just the outside...Did you use hot or cold water on the outside of the headlight?
UV protectant after is crucial.