Chrisfix toothpaste headlight restoration

[jk_636]

So I had some time on my hands while working on the truck today and decided to try Chrisfix' toothpaste headlight restoration trick.

For those not familiar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXHTXdlWw1w

Equipment used:

-Toothpaste $2
-New toothbrush (already on hand)
-Soapy "wudder" in a spray bottle

-Microfiber towels (have plenty)
-Turtle wax (also already in garage)

So for a grand investment of $2, and after two applications here is what I got:

Passenger side before:

Passenger side after:

Driver side before:

Driver side after:

I was surprised at how well it worked, while there is still oxidation it is an improvement and my garage smells minty fresh.

For those wanting to try the same procedure, do your rotator cuff a favor and use something with more surface area than a toothbrush. A dremel tool, Emory cloth or similar would definitely have made this job easier.

 

[28oz]

I've done several methods. They all work.....for a while. Usually only a few months at best before clouding over again (even the kits with the "sealant wipes"). The longest lasting was sanding and then clear coating them. That lasted a couple years before it all flaked off again. The headlights on my '90 300ZX are glass and crystal clear for 28 years. I wish they still used glass for all of them....

Yours looks decent now. Hope it lasts longer for you!

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: jk_636
...

For those wanting to try the same procedure, do your rotator cuff a favor and use something with more surface area than a toothbrush. A dremel tool, Emory cloth or similar would definitely have made this job easier.


alternatives:
-fold a microfiber small rag in many, get wet, smother in toothpaste
-dollar store cheap electric brush
-duct-tape a medium size brush to a vibrating multi-tool.
-kitchen sponge
-magic eraser
-sander with a sponge, not sand paper

RE: I tried toothpaste in my Elantra. I also tried MMO as a sealant.

 

[Nick1994]

Looks pretty good. I'll post a link below to what I did, if it fades back you might want to try this out, it still looks pretty good.

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ub...ts_#Post3827353

 

[newbe46]

I just did something similar to my van. Started with a 1000 grit wet sand paper to 2000 then 3000. Then applied Meguiar's Ultimate Computer with a DA and then Ultimate Polish and finally finished with Turtle Wax Ice paste.

 

[MasterSolenoid]

OP, they look good/better.

Question: How old is any Vehicle when the Head Lights:
1) Begin to fad ? ? ?
2) At first treatment to cleanup ? ? ?

I park in a Garage most of the time (retired) and my 2002 headlights still look brand new.

 

[Aichiguy]

This is timely. I just came in from doing my wife's Camry and my F150. I was at Walmart earlier buying oil/filter and bought some rubbing compound for under $3. Worked well.

 

[jk_636]

Originally Posted By: MasterSolenoid
OP, they look good/better.

Question: How old is any Vehicle when the Head Lights:
1) Begin to fad ? ? ?
2) At first treatment to cleanup ? ? ?

I park in a Garage most of the time (retired) and my 2002 headlights still look brand new.



It is a 2006 so they have been progressively fading over time. I couldn't tell you when fading started exactly. This is the first time I have ever tried to clean them up, but judging by the pitting in the plastic, I don't know how many more treatments I can do before the plastic loses integrity

 

[Kawiguy454]

I found an absolutely foolproof method of getting Chrystal clear headlight lenses!

What u need:
Toothpaste
toothbrush
drillmotor
multiple polishing kits
youtube videos
trips to AZ
coatings
sprays
compounds
Countless hours of my valuable time


Yeah ...none of this karp works ...went on ebay and bought 2 CN made 2002 F150 replacement housings for $120 and the result is absolutely fantastic. Chrystal clear like new and quick and easy, No scrubbing no buffing.

 

[Lyman]

A few years ago I did the headlights on my Jeep. They turned out great. I clear coated them and now the clear is flaking off. I will try it again with a better brand clear.

 

[SirTanon]

I've had stellar luck using (for the most part) very inexpensive materials

Cheap white terry cloth hand towels ($3.84 from Walmart for a pack of 12)
Cheap 'Ultra Brite' plain toothpaste from the Dollar Tree around the corner ($1)
Cheap spray bottle from Walmart, dollar store, lowes, etc.. ($1 or so)

Fold a terry cloth over on itself, then again the other direction, wet it with water, wring out extra, put a big wad of the toothpaste on one corner and start polishing the headlight lens, using moderate to strong pressure. I also usually tape around the light with blue painters tape to insure no overlap onto the paint/chrome.

Polish for a few minutes, then spray down with water from the cheap spray bottle and wipe clean. I see a TON of yellowing come off on the first pass.

Start again with a fresh spot on the terry cloth and a new blob of toothpaste, or use a new terry cloth towel.

spray again after a few minutes.

Repeat as necessary. I find using 2 or 3 passes usually gets it to where I want it, but sometimes a 4th may be required.

Once it's clear enough, spray a few more times with water, then spray again with a 1:2 solution of IPA:WATER and wipe with a clean towel.

Coat with either a good paint sealant/coating (FK1000p, Turtle Wax ICE, Klasses, etc..), or spray a few coats of a good quality 2K clear.

Good to go for at least a year or 2

 

[LoneRanger]

Nice work. And I spent $20 on a bottle of Griot's Garage Plastic Polish ...

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: Kawiguy454
I found an absolutely foolproof method of getting Chrystal clear headlight lenses!

What u need:
Toothpaste
toothbrush
drillmotor
multiple polishing kits
youtube videos
trips to AZ
coatings
sprays
compounds
Countless hours of my valuable time


Yeah ...none of this karp works ...went on ebay and bought 2 CN made 2002 F150 replacement housings for $120 and the result is absolutely fantastic. Chrystal clear like new and quick and easy, No scrubbing no buffing.


Spot on. These are hack fixes at best, might as well wipe Back to Black on all the exterior plastic while you're at it.

 

[RooflessVW]

Toothpaste is for teeth.

Headlight polishing kits aren't expensive, and your headlights would actually look clear.

 

[jk_636]

The cheapest headlight assembly Rock Auto sells is $68.00 USD before tax and shipping.

For a vehicle that is 13 years old, you can keep your negativity Dishdude, and ill keep my toothpaste

 

[E365]

Seems like a waste of time. A 3M kit is like $15 and does a FAR better job than toothpaste.

 

[Mr Nice]

Plast X is $5 a bottle at Wal-Mart.

Works great, make sure you wear gloves.

 

[Johnny2Bad]

Toothpaste is a very mild abrasive. You can save some time and effort by using a slightly more abrasive polish (take your pick; bonus if it's water-based).

Have a spray bottle of lubricant (water, or appropriate alternative) and use often.

I have lots of abrasives (sandpapers, abrasive impregnated pads, diamond pastes) that I use for other jobs (guitar necks and fretboards, and mating semiconductors to heat sinks) so I can use them ... 600 to 12000 grit.

I think the biggest problem with any method is the UV blocking coating that has to go on after you're done clearing the lens. Rather than another "toothpaste" thread I'd like to see more on what people use and how long it lasts.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: Johnny2Bad
Toothpaste is a very mild abrasive. You can save some time and effort by using a slightly more abrasive polish (take your pick; bonus if it's water-based).

Have a spray bottle of lubricant (water, or appropriate alternative) and use often.

I have lots of abrasives (sandpapers, abrasive impregnated pads, diamond pastes) that I use for other jobs (guitar necks and fretboards, and mating semiconductors to heat sinks) so I can use them ... 600 to 12000 grit.

I think the biggest problem with any method is the UV blocking coating that has to go on after you're done clearing the lens. Rather than another "toothpaste" thread I'd like to see more on what people use and how long it lasts.


Even Soft Scrub would be better, but some kid on YouTube said to use toothpaste

 

[sxg6]

I'd much rather use toothpaste around paint, not soft scrub.. Why all the hate? Because chrixfix is a younger guy? It's cheaper than buying new headlights, who cares if it doesn't last.

I don't use toothpaste, I'll just use various car care products that I have lying around with my griots random orbital buffer, but I'm sure a microfiber with some elbow grease works fine too.. I've had good success with meguiars ultimate compound, and then collinite 845 or 476s on top..