Headlight restoration. 10 minutes, a rag and some Crest toothpaste.

[HardDrive]

I have to say, I am pretty impressed. 10 minutes, 25 cents worth of toothpaste, and a little elbow grease, and they look dramatically better! I probably spent less than 5 minute on each one.

Dab paste all over the headlight, work it in good with the rag until the paste starts to dry out. Take some wet paper towel, and go over it again with the paste wet....rinse with a hose!

We'll see how long it lasts.

[rfuerst911sc]

Looks minty clean Nice work .

[drkshdw]

I did this on my Lexus years ago. I'll admit it does work. And it does look good. For about a week. But that was on 20 year old plastic. Perhaps the newer lenses last longer.

[RedBaron]

My girlfriend has a 2000 camry with 330,000 miles. The headlights are so foggy that i dont think you can see inside the fixture. Ill give this a shot, thanks. Since it really needs help maybe ill try the kind thats extra whitening?

[manbridge 74]

Our detail guy likes to use a buffer with super fine rubbing compound of some sort. Then some plastic wax. He does use blue tape around the paint work... Wet sands first with 3000 grit on the really bad cases.

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I have to say, I am pretty impressed. 10 minutes, 25 cents worth of toothpaste, and a little elbow grease, and they look dramatically better! I probably spent less than 5 minute on each one.

Dab paste all over the headlight, work it in good with the rag until the paste starts to dry out. Take some wet paper towel, and go over it again with the paste wet....rinse with a hose!

We'll see how long it lasts.

My headlights on my RX330 looked worse than that. Lexus replaced them in 2014 free of charge. There was a recall on the headlight because it allowed moisture to get in and cause havoc with the ballast.

Lexus also had a recall on the dash because it would crack and break apart in hot climates.

[-Levi-]

This will work for about a month, then it will look just like it use to.... the fresh smell will be gone as well

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I have to say, I am pretty impressed. 10 minutes, 25 cents worth of toothpaste, and a little elbow grease, and they look dramatically better! I probably spent less than 5 minute on each one.

Considering the minimal effort, I'd say that looks pretty darn good.

Originally Posted by drkshdw

I did this on my Lexus years ago. I'll admit it does work. And it does look good. For about a week. But that was on 20 year old plastic. Perhaps the newer lenses last longer.

New or old, any of them will haze (oxidize) pretty quickly, once you remove the original top layer/coating.
To get a little more mileage before the haze/oxidation returns, you can give them a good coat of wax and/or periodically hit them with some UV protectant (303, Vinylex, etc.).

A better/more permanent solution would be to spray them with a good 2k clear-coat after polishing, and/or apply some sort of Clear-Bra type film.
Though, I'd probably spend a bit more time getting them super-clean/clear (fine-grit sandpaper + rotary polisher, etc.) before bothering with clear-coat or film though. YMMV.

[greglepore]

Ditto above, need a uv protectant. You'd be surprised what just wiping them with acetone will do if you're not aggressive.

[stomachmonkey]

Clear Shellac.

Easier and faster than polishing with an abrasive, instant results, lasts a couple of years at least.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Ditto above, need a uv protectant. You'd be surprised what just wiping them with acetone will do if you're not aggressive.

Acetone. Really?
Might try on my g/f's '03 Acura CL. I've buffed many different agents on hers...Color Back, Honda Plastic Cleaner, etc.
All of mine are still good. Garaged for years.

[RANDY P]

Dang. Minty fresh and no more tartar buildup.

rjp

[fintstone]

Looks good! I polished my badly fogged 14 year-old Cayenne lights recently. Tried a compound (Meguiars Plastx Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish) designed to polish them and it did little. Followed with wet sanding 400, 800, 1500 and then hand polished with the polish and they looked like new. I think the polish has wax (or something ) to help them maintain the clearness longer. they are holding up well after a couple of months. Only took about a half hour (or less) on each. Should have done it years ago. Liked it so well that i put fresh (premium) xenons (and replaced all the other bulbs too) A world of difference.

[Jims5543]

I purchased the Mothers Headlight restore kit, especially since Mothers gives us F1 broadcasts commercial free this year.

I just did the headlights on my FJ Cruiser and it took me all of 2 minutes, put some compound on the little sponge that fits into your power drill. Then hit the headlight and boom, like magic it was gone in seconds.

Took a clean cloth to it when done and it looked like new.

[shinrai]

Nice work but it won't last long as others have mentioned. UV will get it back to yellow shortly.
The best way to do it is sand it with 1500 then hit it with a clear coat to protect it. It'll look new for another 5 years.

[Hugh R]

Try bug repellant it works in seconds wash your hands after using!

[944 S2]

Like other have said you need a UV protectant. The problem with polycarbonate plastic is it will yellow. Headlight makers coat the headlight lens with a UV coating that will wear with time.

[sugarwood]

It still looks hazy.
Plastic polish and an orbital will make it crystal clear.

[fintstone]

Don't even need an orbital. Easy to do by hand.

[fanaudical]

I was using the PlastX stuff today on my wife's badly-yellowed headlights on the A6. Looks like I need some sanding first.

Can anybody recommend a UV protector (other than clear coat paint) that works well?