For those with ugly, faded headlights..

[Oh Randi]

... and you've tried every headlight restoration kit on the face of the earth and nothing has really helped..

Use Meguiar's Ultimate Compound.

Not really designed for plastic as it is a mild cutting compound, but I found out by accident that it works awesome. I've literally tried everything and was going to buy myself new headlights for Christmas. Now I don't have to! I took pictures with my phone, but they really don't do it justice...









It's worth a shot if you've tried everything. Just thought I'd share my wonderful discovery.

[FreqWiz]

well I have used soapy water and fine grit sand paper (800/1200) and very very lightly rub over the light.......this is not a fast fix, plan to spend 30 mins to an hour per light, then go back over it with plastic polish.

Here is a site with loads of suggestions:

Clean Headlights - wikiHow

[SixChuter]

The headlight looks good, Randi. I saw a little yellow turbo on 169 last Wednesday. Any chance that was you? You wouldn't have noticed me, I was in my boring old flat-bed work truck.

[Oh Randi]

Originally Posted by FreqWiz

well I have used soapy water and fine grit sand paper (800/1200) and very very lightly rub over the light.......this is not a fast fix, plan to spend 30 mins to an hour per light, then go back over it with plastic polish.

Here is a site with loads of suggestions:

Clean Headlights - wikiHow

I'm not brave enough to use sandpaper! haha. I might try that next just to get them perfect. The compound is good for those that are too scared to use sandpaper or an orbital buffer.

Originally Posted by SixChuter

The headlight looks good, Randi. I saw a little yellow turbo on 169 last Wednesday. Any chance that was you? You wouldn't have noticed me, I was in my boring old flat-bed work truck.

That very well could've been me! I was on 169 heading to Target for Thanksgiving stuff all day! If it said "Driver Found" on the back window, it was me. lol

[SixChuter]

Didn't see the rear window (was going the other way ) but I bet it was you. Nice to "almost meet you". We'll have to make that happen some day. Happy Holidays!

[kellyyysayss]

Advanced sells this cool kit that attaches to a drill. Worked wonders for me!

[Smileybug]

I got the Turtle Wax kit and it worked pretty well for me. Your headlights look good Randi!

[amelia.marie]

Good to know! I havent had this problem yet, someone told me a while back that if I keep my headlights nice and waxed I wont have that problem. Its worked thus far!

Just a little tip for those of you who want to prevent as what I like to call it, "the headlight haze"

[kellyyysayss]

What wax do you use and where do you buy it? My new ones are getting put on tomorrow morning!

[Homer3D]

Have you tried toothpaste? Works great and it is cheap.

[Homer3D]

YouTube video demonstrating toothpaste to restore headlights.

YouTube - Remove Yellow haze on headlights with toothpaste?

[FreqWiz]

Originally Posted by Homer3D

Have you tried toothpaste? Works great and it is cheap.

Toothpaste not gel, the paste has grit in it, the gel does not.

[mikeole]

Looking good!

Yup, its the UV that hazes the plastic. Those cars that are always outside are more prone to get it. My 04 Ferd Freestar company car has 120K on it and sits inside, its clear covers are rock peppered, but look as clear as the day I got it and I've done nothing to them.

Like Randi found, its a quick project that can get good results with a variety of mildly abrasive products.

[RaspberryBeetle]

I was so inspired by the toothpaste video on youtube that I tried it myself. My headlights were so cloudy and yellow looking. I tried the toothpaste and it worked! I couldn't stop laughing because I couldn't believe it actually worked. I knew that toothpaste was good for cleaning tarnished silver, but I never guessed it would clean up my headlights. I even tried it on our SUV and it worked great. Thanks for the tip and the link!

[Think_Sideways]

Originally Posted by RaspberryBeetle

I was so inspired by the toothpaste video on youtube that I tried it myself. My headlights were so cloudy and yellow looking. I tried the toothpaste and it worked! I couldn't stop laughing because I couldn't believe it actually worked. I knew that toothpaste was good for cleaning tarnished silver, but I never guessed it would clean up my headlights. I even tried it on our SUV and it worked great. Thanks for the tip and the link!

I second this!! I used toothpaste on my yellowed headlights today, and I cannot believe the results! So happy to know about this cheap fix that actually works! Thanks to Homer3D for posting that link!

[lil.smartie]

The Meguires kit with the ball works great, better than the Turtle wax one! I'm a Brit so we don't get this in the UK as there's not enough sun but my US bug was really bad!

Kate

[Marty4th]

Yep I also have a tube of toothpaste in my cleaning kit and Oh, I don't know, once a month during a wash and clean of the car I will do the headlights with it just to keep them looking good. My bug has set outside her whole life and her headlights look like new.

[h_2_o]

no need to buy a kit if you have some supplies laying around or want to visit the local hardware store. IMHO the easiest way to do it, and it has worked better than any off the shelf method i've seen is the following.

remove headlight
wet sand until uniform foggy/scratching looking
500 grit, then 800 grit, then 1000, then 1500, then 2000, then use your favorite polish or da buffer with your favorite polish and finish up.

that is basically what they sell you in the kit for an over inflated $20 and a little disk that fits onto a drill that is horrible to use.

[ECS Tuning]

Try our Headlight Restore Kit -

OEM / Performance Parts for Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Porsche & Volkswagen - ECS Tuning