Headlight Restoration using Clear Coat. This video will show you how to clean and restore your headlights so they will never turn yellow or hazy again! You have seen videos on restoring headlights with bug spray, toothpaste, baking soda, and the kits you buy in the store, but all of these methods are temporary and eventually the haze and oxidation will come back.
My method will first make the headlight clear by wet sanding and then put a UV coat on it to seal it in.
Headlight Clarity Updates:
1yr Later: https://instagram.com/p/8iyExTOjFm/
2yrs later: https://www.instagram.com/p/BC7Ov-zOjLe/?taken-by=chrisfixit
Better longer lasting clear coat: https://amzn.to/2JU2Fap
2000 grit sandpaper: http://amzn.to/1XqDuhG
Wax: http://amzn.to/1cxIXj0
Compound polish to remove orange peel: http://amzn.to/1TtfoOC
Rubbing Alcohol to Clean Lens: https://amzn.to/3710nAY
Using Bug Spray to Clean Headlights (WARNING!!!): https://youtu.be/AYmbBZntuY8?list=PLDD611CFB36FC65F2
How to use Toothpaste to Clean Headlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXHTXdlWw1w&list=PLDD611CFB36FC65F2
How to Remove Moisture from Headlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNWTidkxcmQ&list=PLDD611CFB36FC65F2
**If the video was helpful, remember to give it a "thumbs up" and consider subscribing. New videos every Thursday**
-Website: http://www.ChrisFixed.com
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisfix8
-Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisFixed
-Instagram: https://instagram.com/chrisfixit
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-YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ChrisFix
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. ChrisFix 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. ChrisFix recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. 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 ChrisFix.
My method will first make the headlight clear by wet sanding and then put a UV coat on it to seal it in.
Headlight Clarity Updates:
1yr Later: https://instagram.com/p/8iyExTOjFm/
2yrs later: https://www.instagram.com/p/BC7Ov-zOjLe/?taken-by=chrisfixit
Better longer lasting clear coat: https://amzn.to/2JU2Fap
2000 grit sandpaper: http://amzn.to/1XqDuhG
Wax: http://amzn.to/1cxIXj0
Compound polish to remove orange peel: http://amzn.to/1TtfoOC
Rubbing Alcohol to Clean Lens: https://amzn.to/3710nAY
Using Bug Spray to Clean Headlights (WARNING!!!): https://youtu.be/AYmbBZntuY8?list=PLDD611CFB36FC65F2
How to use Toothpaste to Clean Headlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXHTXdlWw1w&list=PLDD611CFB36FC65F2
How to Remove Moisture from Headlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNWTidkxcmQ&list=PLDD611CFB36FC65F2
**If the video was helpful, remember to give it a "thumbs up" and consider subscribing. New videos every Thursday**
-Website: http://www.ChrisFixed.com
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisfix8
-Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisFixed
-Instagram: https://instagram.com/chrisfixit
-Subscribe Here: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=paintballoo7
-YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ChrisFix
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. ChrisFix 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. ChrisFix recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. 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 ChrisFix.
Does any clear coat work or do you recommend the rustoleum?
I wasn’t sure about this but DAYUM! My headlights look like new!
Don’t waste your time with this.
Use this a couple times and you’re good: Meguiar's PlastX Clear Plastic Polish
Old video but:
PRO TIP: Do this when the car is dirty! So, even if you get overspray, and you probably will (with that covering), the overspray will not stick! 🙂
You did not get all of the old coating off!
IMHO: Grits; 320 (if bad), 400 or 500, (inspect and decide), 800, 2000. If you use 3000 instead of 2000, you can polish by machine instead of paint.*
(3M is good sandpaper!)
*Polish a small area to finish quality. If it is not good enough for you, redo with 4000, then polish.
Never use too much pressure with any grit, especially the 320. However, the entire old coating should be removed!
Finish with a ceramic, or (hybrid) ceramic spray, or at least a UV protectant wax.
Wear a respirator.
Back then you did not how to use a rattle can. :-p
IMHO: Painting with anything is not the best option. It is too easy for people to mess up, as shown by this comment section, and that just makes much more work/expense, and consumes much more time/days.
"This looks awesome." "It looks almost new." … Actually, no to both. Better, good, would be much more accurate.
Get rid of the video and make a new one. 🙂 (Or, do you have one already?)
One year later, fogged again, trying Cerakote Ceramics this time.
to much work , you uselly give good advise
Hey I have a question. I probably can’t but I have a can of Matte clear coat. I can’t use this right? I need to use gloss finish?
Accidentally did the first coarse grit sand dry. Am I screwed? The yellow is gone but the lights are still cloudy
2014 Infiniti q50 head lights are a little over 3k each. Thank you for this tip.
Would you recommend ceramic coating vs wax?
What did I do wrong if the coats started to crack? My cousin says its the headlight plastic reacting to the paint.
I did this like 9 years ago when this video was new posted on my 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T and it worked like a goddamned charm. Here I am in 2023, 2 vehicles later (2014 Dodge Avenger, and now on my 2021 Chevy Colorado Z71) and I have a wife and kids and a home (I was like 22 when I did this with the Jetta) and my wife's 2016 Nissan Rogue headlamps are so foggy that it's literally dimming the lights at night when she drives. Was looking back trying to find this video because I remembered how great it worked on the Jetta almost a decade ago and boom baby! Found it. Thanks my friend. Headed to the hardware store tomorrow after work for supplies and will be working on my wife's Rogue this weekend.
I just bought a truck and have brand new headlights so what if I want to prevent any future yellowing? Would I use a clear coat or sealant?
“Even layers” sprays the bottom 4 times, the top once, and never touches the center.
Solid job at doubling the value of a PT Cruiser though!
maybe you should consider using 2k clear gloss which is available in spray guns as well..
lasts longer and resists better
I wonder if the Meguiar’s or Rustoleum spray coatings work better. Or is there a ceramic coating ?
After 3 coats of clear gloss… There is some haziness from paint I believe. What shall I do to get absolutely clear glass now?