If the plastic headlight covers on your rig are foggy looking, use a rag and toothpaste to buff them back to the clear look they had when new!

 

That works . I have done it ! But I now use a medium cut buffing compound . Cheaper then those kits you buy to refurbish headlamps ! Tooth paste is cheep and , hopefully , everyone has it !

 

We are bombarded with advertisements for concoctions to fix things that 1/2 the time are just cheap things thrown together to make money. For instance, I would bet that pure high grade caranuba wax is cheaper than most of the instant stuff on the shelves. But no one is advertising pure caranuba wax. Whenever I have a stomach ache baking soda and water work better to settle it than anything else including the pink stuff. For me, the cheaper and more basic usually works better. I have found a home on this forum because it seems to be a place where people want the best repairs, and upgrades they can get. And we all know that if you want it done right, do it yourself. That way you can spend your money on top grade parts instead of a long haired brain dead pot smoking monkey charging you to fix a system he doesn't even understand!

 

Yes Many things are possible to do , cheaper , and often with better results than with " store bought " products . Some , however , have no substitute . So research before you purchase !

 

Which brand or type works best?

 

I used a product from Light Rite LiteRite: Clean and restore yellowed cloudy hazy headlights to like new condition with LiteRite. because I have seen the headlights start yellowing again in a few weeks with nothing to protect the plastic. This product claims to be a UV protectant for the plastic. So far so good.

 

I use a medium cut compound as well (Meguiars) with my buffing machine set to 3, come out just like new.

 

Have been hearing about different concoctions and procedures for years. Brasso, Flitz and Novus #1 and #2 or other polishing compounds, teethpaste has its adherents which at least means the front end will be all minty fresh, versus the odor from OFF! insect repellent, the latest stuff making the rounds. Hm.

 

I tried using toothpaste on my '87 original headlights and saw zero improvement. But they did have the freshest breath on the road.

 

Usually the proper way is wet sanding, then respray with clear. I tried something on an Xterra, and it turned out pretty well. 3M rubbing compound, then a coat of Collinite's 845. I already know how amazing the stuff is, and really worked well. I'd use it on my 2003, but I already bought a new set of headlights a little while back. Did it for reasons, to say the least.

 

Let's face it, if it's going to take 16 hours and $45 worth of materials, maybe the smart money just buys a couple new ones and calls it a day.

 

New headlights? Retrofit.

 

Many ways to buff these things out, keeping them that way is another story. I've been using Meguir's Mirror Glaze Professional #18 Clear Plastic Detailer on quite a few things. It does a great job on plastic headlights, instrument panels, touch screen head units, my cell phone and computer screens, even my glasses. I'm not easily impressed, but this stuff works. Found at auto paint supply stores.