Headlight Restoration

Greetings Folks,

I tried the toothpaste and elbow grease method on my headlights... This is how I made out... There was lots of yellowish pitted stuff going on with my lights.

BEFORE

Drivers side
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/fykefx/The%20Van/E26D754E-1AFB-4093-B9DA-5BE6E22B28F2_zpstk7dijao.jpg (http://s297.photobucket.com/user/fykefx/media/The%20Van/E26D754E-1AFB-4093-B9DA-5BE6E22B28F2_zpstk7dijao.jpg.html)

AFTER
Drivers side
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/fykefx/The%20Van/D69F7710-6EFE-4AC8-9C5F-E4529BF03E03_zpsg8xrkrxt.jpg (http://s297.photobucket.com/user/fykefx/media/The%20Van/D69F7710-6EFE-4AC8-9C5F-E4529BF03E03_zpsg8xrkrxt.jpg.html)

BEFORE
Passenger side
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/fykefx/The%20Van/24CC55F8-3760-466B-89F0-D2035CF85563_zpsqzhwbuvj.jpg (http://s297.photobucket.com/user/fykefx/media/The%20Van/24CC55F8-3760-466B-89F0-D2035CF85563_zpsqzhwbuvj.jpg.html)

AFTER
Passenger side
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/fykefx/The%20Van/92B1CEA1-B9D5-4D6C-80E1-2EFD184C2BE6_zpst3gjok7r.jpg (http://s297.photobucket.com/user/fykefx/media/The%20Van/92B1CEA1-B9D5-4D6C-80E1-2EFD184C2BE6_zpst3gjok7r.jpg.html)

Both before
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/fykefx/The%20Van/1A2A41FA-299F-4F83-ACB6-8E286D685044_zpsjefmkbsz.jpg (http://s297.photobucket.com/user/fykefx/media/The%20Van/1A2A41FA-299F-4F83-ACB6-8E286D685044_zpsjefmkbsz.jpg.html)

Both after
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/fykefx/The%20Van/AC4E1B2B-BF7B-4FAF-A074-86A3022264DD_zpsgitjapal.jpg (http://s297.photobucket.com/user/fykefx/media/The%20Van/AC4E1B2B-BF7B-4FAF-A074-86A3022264DD_zpsgitjapal.jpg.html)

There is a good difference but I think mainly it took away the yellowish colour. On the road though there is a difference. My wife asked if I fixed the headlights as she could see better. Over all I'd say they went from bad to ok not great.

I'm going to use an actual restoration kit next so I'll post in a few weeks. :grinyes:

Make sure whatever kit you get comes with the sealer. Without it, lights will fade and turn yellow pretty quick.

It's a 3m kit... I think lol. It does have a sealer with it... I'll get it out and post a pic of it and what's in it.

Here's the kit I got... Sylvania makes it

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/fykefx/The%20Van/9A073045-EB03-4F7C-9B3C-EBA7B3165D26_zpsrxbfvylk.jpg (http://s297.photobucket.com/user/fykefx/media/The%20Van/9A073045-EB03-4F7C-9B3C-EBA7B3165D26_zpsrxbfvylk.jpg.html)

I don't think there was any "cavity protection" going on there with the Colgate method.But there is a remarked difference and the proof is in your wife's comment.The Sylvania kit has a lot of steps which means excessive elbow grease...but they don't have a long lasting,protective coating.They'll fade and yellow again shortly. Most of these kits are pricey for marginal results. Sanding down with successive grits of paper is a waste of time and adds a lot to the price of materials. Seems like everybody and his mom has a headlight restoration kit out these days!
I've done a lot of 'em and tried a lot different kits and methods. It'll make your elbows sore for the day.Nothing is gonna cure any fog or defects that are on the inside of the housing from moisture.Cracks and stone chips will remain.
The best,fastest,longest lasting,cheapest method I've done and the one I currently use is to wash the headlamps,wet sand horizontally then vertically with 600 gr wet paper until all yellow residue is gone and the lamps are sanded out completely white,(you can't see inside them). You must keep them wet constantly during sanding with a water filled spray bottle and rising them throughout the sanding process.Then mask off the car,wipe them down with alcohol,(like a moist towelette),let dry then spray coat them in even passes with clear acrylic. Don't over do it! Sags and runs can be leveled out with another light,quick pass while its still wet.The acrylic fills in all the sanding scratches and they're crystal clear. Park the car facing into the sun for a coupla hours and they're 80% cured. 100% in a coupla days.Driveable in an hour.I have done some cars 3 years ago and still look great.