In this video I show you how to make your headlamps look new again!
Here is the DIY Kit:
http://3mauto.com/products/headlight-restoration

50 thoughts on “How to polish headlights”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Antonio Claudio Michael says:

    Good Informative Video On restoring plastic Headlights Eric O @SouthMainAutoRepairLLC

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Oby-1 says:

    Why not use a ceramic coating on it ? It is plastic like paint so it may work.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Michael Mccauliff says:

    wouldnt it be cheaper to buy new ones than to pay you $100 an hour to clean them

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars vito gio says:

    on some headlights that are not too bad use g3 comound & finish with g10 & wax after .. try it

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars vito gio says:

    you for got your famous say eric

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Simon Nather says:

    what eric !! you dont seal it ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

    yes as you said sealing it with clear coat spray … but it have to be uv resisten spray !!! search for headlight clear coat…

    at list put some Ceramic …… that is not lasting 3 years !!! maybe 1 year……… from factory the headlights is coated with some clear coat,…

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bob Lister says:

    I am in the auto body business and when my wife's wj headlamps fogged up I sanded and polished them. Same problem less than a year later. The thrid time they fogged I sanded them to 1000 grit and sprayed then with the same clearcoat I use on paint. They still look new 3 years later. The factory puts a light clearcoat on them that breaks down from the sun ,you need to replace the clear even with a spray can clear. No need to polish if you sand with 1000 or finer the clear will stick better. I just use regular sandpaper by hand with a squirt bottle of water with soap in it.

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Roger Yanez says:

    Love that kit, here at the shop we spray a coat of clear afterwards to protect the lens and keep it looking new as long as possible, Good job Eric O. Greetings from Los Angeles ✌

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars beechwood619 says:

    After polishing, put on a coat of the highest SPF suntan lotion you can find, it blocks the harmful rays.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Brian Lence says:

    The hillbilly way to clean headlights is with Deep woods off. Spray it on a soft cloth and polish in small circles.This works very well, and super fast. It will last 3-4 months or so. Dont get the spray on your paint it could eat it away.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Frank Sanford says:

    Will this work on glass headlights to?

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gregory Pappas says:

    toothpaste will get you 90% there, and you have it on hand.

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars D Jelonek says:

    What tool (air tool) is that? I've got a right angle die grinder with Velcro and twist lock pads I use for gasket removal and such…. that work the same? Figure it's just paper, rubbing compound and then plastic cleaner/polish. Not against buying a kit, but if I've already got the stuff…..

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars davecc0000 says:

    The green 3M masking tape is water-resistant and will stay put while wet-sanding. The other types of masking tape will come off when wet.

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Attila Kohbor says:

    Great job Eric'O . I did the same way you did and when my car was painted the guy wet sanded with green pad ( dishwasher pad) and gave two coates of clear coat . Did not get dull again .

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mark Wheeler says:

    As a 3M retiree, I appeciate the plug. 🙂

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Southern Auto & Outdoor Adventures says:

    3M headlight kits now come with a clear coat for each headlight

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ally Oop says:

    My daughter still has a 2002 Ford Explorer that now has well over 100k miles on the clock. Since the day it was purchased new her husband, after washing the car, would buff the lights with Protectorant 303. There isn't a blemish on the lights and they look like they just came off the assembly line. No exaggeration! He also uses 303 on the interior and the car is in unbelievable like-new condition.

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars James Wittkoski says:

    Apparently 9 people don't like their headlights restored/polished.

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Scottys Back Yard BBQ says:

    watch chris fix video.. trick is to not let them get yellow in the first place..

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gerard Jones says:

    Meguires machine polish works very nice.

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robert Gomez says:

    If your handy with a torch, you can light sand, wipe down with acetone, and go across the surface with a hot flamed torch(this is called a FLAME POLISH). The flame will melt the outer surface to where its clear. we did this on a daily basis at a plastic fabrication shop i worked at 30 years ago. Never tried it on a headlight but it should work unless the headlight cover is made of polycarb..

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bkon says:

    I have had pretty good luck with a air buffer and Meguier's fine buffing compound.

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mike Chiodetti says:

    I need to buy this. The 06 Kia's lights are BAD!

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars sperryfish says:

    I’ve used 5he 3M polish and it works great. Got another 2 years then had the bright idea to replace the factory headlights with some aftermarket… worst idea ever. They are crap…

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Qusin111 says:

    I do a what some people say is a crud way, I wipe the surface with lacquer thinner and then clear coat. if you are not familiar with cleaning plastic with lacquer thinner I would suggest a junk yard sample first since you can melt the surface and make a mess but once you get it right it is very quick, cheap and nice.

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars M D says:

    When I was in the Navy, on fighter jets canopies a product called "canopy polish". The closest thing I have found in the civilian world is by Chemical Guys JetSeal. I do my headlights on my 2012 Tacoma and it has worked great. I just polish them every three months.

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars animalcorvair says:

    i like glass this stuff should be illegal to make its junk

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Freddy Flintstoned says:

    Windex works great on my 1999 4Runner. The lenses are made of Glass. They never get cloudy.

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Albert Torres says:

    Thanks friend.

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tony Griffiths says:

    Toothpaste doesn't do it. Thanks. Will try 3M if need to in the future.

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jeff Mee says:

    I done it my way good oid sinatra.

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jeff Mee says:

    Done one your way and one with mothers and 303 protectant and I can see know differnce will be using mothers now on.

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Pat Dorrian says:

    The UV light in sunlight is what causes the cloudiness, if you use a UV protectant it should work well, I did it once, used formula 303 aircraft protectant and it lasts for years…. Thanks Eric for a great video!

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars bunberrier says:

    Looks good, but for DIY'ers do yourself a favor and price a replacement housing first. On my GrandAm, they wanted 38 dollars each for new housings. Not worth the time to work on the old ones. A few minutes working the clips behind them and replacing the bulbs and baddabing. Brand new.

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars 1tobicat says:

    In my opinion, this is a huge safety issue that needs to be addressed by auto manufacturers. I believe a class action lawsuit should be filed and manufacturers need to go back to glass lenses. It is not right that headlights can lose over half of their brightness due to cloudy, yellowed lenses. This is a temporary fix at best.

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars dave scott says:

    should use a 2 part epoxy or urethane spray for the final layer of protection. otherwise you're doing this again in 6 months

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jani Beg says:

    i tried Crest toothpaste on the headlights of a 20 year old Volvo – it did not make much of a change.

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars dimitriapproved says:

    Glass is class.

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David Furrer says:

    .

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Paul Spicer says:

    I do it old school with 2000 grit wet sanding paper. Buffing compound then wax it

  42. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tired old mechanic says:

    I started buffing plastic tail and marker light lenses when I detailed cars. Red lenses that had turned white buff out to look like new. I still use a buffer and rubbing compound on plastic headlight lenses because it's fast and easy. I also use it on windows, especially windshields before applying Rain-X.

  43. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Duncan Mac says:

    Thanks for the video.

  44. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars spencer s says:

    All my cars haze over on the inside, not the outside of the headlight 🙁

  45. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars John Ferguson says:

    Don't use clear coat on plastic lenses. It cracks and peels in a year or so and it is a mess to remove.

  46. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Scooter holiday says:

    Missed "if I can do it, you can do it". :):):)

  47. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars SuperDave21 says:

    Meguiars makes a 4 ounce spray bottle that is clear headlight lens protectant… you use it once a year and it's good stuff.

  48. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ted EnderPalmer says:

    Try this; after the 1000 grit clean lenses with alcohol, let dry and apply clear coat. Half the work and lasts for years. I use a 2 part clearcoat

  49. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ChillCosmos says:

    I've used the 3M walmart kit and after a month, the hazing/fogging would start coming back. I'd imagine using a clear coat on the headlights afterwards would have helped, but I've not experimented with that. this was on a Lincoln Mark VIII I used to have.

  50. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Two pumps Andimdone says:

    That’s what I’m talking about

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